Top General Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your General Manager interview by going through these most asked General Manager interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

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  • Question: Why did you leave your previous company?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate explains their past work history. It is important to see how they explain their past work history.

    Sample Answer: I left my previous job because I wanted to work for a company that offered more opportunities for growth.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Explanation of why they left
    • - Explanation of why they left
    • - Explanation of why they left

  • Question: Walk me through your CV.
  • Question Overview: This is a straightforward question that allows you to learn about the candidate's work history and how they have progressed in their career.

    Sample Answer: My CV is attached to this application.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Work history
    • - Education
    • - Skills
    • - Achievements

  • Question: Why do you choose Panda Express?
  • Question Overview: This question is used to see how the candidate feels about the company. It is also used to see how they feel about the food.

    Sample Answer: I chose Panda Express because I love the food. I like that it is fast and fresh. I dislike that it is not open on the weekends.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Why they chose Panda Express
    • - What they like about Panda Express
    • - What they dislike about Panda Express

  • Question: What kind of indicators did your previous company use to monitor your work progress?
  • Question Overview: General managers are responsible for the work of their teams. They must be able to monitor their team's progress and make adjustments as necessary. This question helps you learn how the hire keeps track of their team's work and makes adjustments to improve efficiency.

    Sample Answer: I keep track of my team's progress by meeting with them regularly to discuss their work. I also use metrics that we set up together to measure our progress.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of monitoring progress
    • - Strategies used to adjust work
    • - Anecdotes regarding communication and interpersonal skills

  • Question: Why are you applying for this position?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge whether or not the candidate is really interested in the job. If they can't articulate why they want the job, it might be a sign that they are just applying for any job.

    Sample Answer: I am applying for this position because I think it will be a good fit for my skills and experience. I am very interested in working for your company.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The candidate's interest in the position
    • - The candidate's interest in your company
    • - The candidate's interest in the industry

  • Question: What do you think about your fit for this job?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that is often asked at the end of an interview. It is a good idea to ask your potential hire what they think about their fit for the job. This will give you some insight into how they view themselves and their skills.

    Sample Answer: I feel like I am a good fit for this job because I have a lot of experience with the skills and responsibilities listed in the job description.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in their skills
    • - Acknowledgement of any gaps in their skills

  • Question: What would you do if a customer complains that their coffee is not made to standards?
  • Question Overview: General managers are responsible for the quality of the products and services their company provides. They should be able to address customer complaints and make sure that the customer is happy. Answers to this question will show how the hire will handle customer service issues.

    Sample Answer: If a customer complains about a product or service, I listen to them and try to figure out what went wrong. Then I try to fix it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to listen to customers
    • - Ability to solve customer problems
    • - Willingness to make changes to improve customer experience

  • Question: What is your proudest accomplishment?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often responsible for the success of their team. They should be able to take pride in their work and the work of their team. This question helps you learn how the hire feels about their own accomplishments and how they feel about the accomplishments of others.

    Sample Answer: I'm most proud of my team's work on a project that helped us save money and increase revenue.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of proud accomplishments
    • - Ability to take responsibility for successes
    • - Ability to take responsibility for failures

  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?
  • Question Overview: A good general manager should be able to see the potential in a company and want to be a part of it. If the hire is not interested in your company, they might not be as motivated to work hard for you. Answers to this question will help you learn if the candidate is interested in your company and its goals.

    Sample Answer: I really like the way your company has grown over the past few years. I think I can help you grow even more.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of why the candidate wants to work for your company
    • - Reasons why the candidate wants to work for your company

  • Question: How do you deal with stress?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often faced with stressful situations. They must be able to keep their cool and make decisions that are in the best interest of the company. Answers to this question will help you learn how the hire handles stressful situations.

    Sample Answer: I try to take a step back from the situation and look at it from a different angle. I also try to think about what I can do to fix the problem.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of dealing with stress
    • - Ability to remain calm and focused
    • - Ability to make quick decisions

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often in a position to move up in the company. This question helps you learn how the candidate might grow with your company.

    Sample Answer: I want to be a general manager of a larger team within 5 years. I plan to achieve that by working hard and making sure my team is successful.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of career goals
    • - Specifics of how the candidate will achieve those goals

  • Question: Can you drive a Humvee with a trailer?
  • Question Overview: Humvees are used by the military to transport supplies. A general manager might need to know how to drive one with a trailer attached. This question is a good way to gauge your candidate's ability to handle a vehicle with a trailer attached.

    Sample Answer: I have driven a Humvee with a trailer attached.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to drive a Humvee with a trailer
    • - Knowledge of driving laws and regulations

  • Question: What is your biggest weakness?
  • Question Overview: This question is a classic interview question. It is meant to see how the candidate responds to a difficult question. Answers to this question should be honest and should not be too negative or too positive.

    Sample Answer: I am sometimes too focused on the details and miss the big picture.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of weaknesses that are not deal breakers
    • - Examples of weaknesses that are not deal breakers

  • Question: What do you think is an area where you can improve?
  • Question Overview: A good general manager should always be looking to improve. This question helps you determine what areas the potential hire is willing to work on.

    Sample Answer: I can improve my ability to delegate tasks.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Areas of improvement
    • - Examples of improvement

  • Question: What was the most challenging performance issue you had to solve?
  • Question Overview: General managers will sometimes have to deal with performance issues. This question helps you learn how the hire handles these situations.

    Sample Answer: I had one employee who was always late. I sat down with her and explained that her tardiness was hurting the team. She agreed to change her ways.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of performance issues
    • - How the general manager handled the issue
    • - How the issue was resolved

  • Question: How long have you been working for Jimmy John's?
  • Question Overview: This is a simple question that will help you determine how long the candidate has been working in the industry.

    Sample Answer: I've been working for Jimmy John's for about a year now. I left my previous job because I was looking for something more challenging.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Length of time
    • - Reason for leaving previous position

  • Question: What are the ways to bring cohesiveness in a team?
  • Question Overview: A good general manager should be able to bring a team together and keep them focused on the goals at hand. This question helps you understand how the hire might do this.

    Sample Answer: I try to get to know each member of my team personally. I also try to make sure that everyone is working toward the same goal.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of team building
    • - Ability to work with different personality types
    • - Willingness to change management style to meet target goals

  • Question: What are your other interests?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often people with a wide range of interests. They might be interested in sports, the arts, or other activities. This question helps you see how the candidate's other interests might fit into your company's culture.

    Sample Answer: I enjoy reading and going to the theater. I also like to spend time with my family.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of other interests
    • - How the candidate's other interests might fit into your company's culture

  • Question: What are you doing to improve yourself?
  • Question Overview: General managers are always learning. They might take classes, read books, or attend seminars to keep up with the latest trends in their industry. Answers to this question will help you learn how the hire stays on top of things and is always improving.

    Sample Answer: I'm taking a class on management skills. I'm also reading a book on how to improve my communication skills.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of self-improvement
    • - Willingness to take on new challenges
    • - Anecdotes regarding personal growth

  • Question: Have you ever fired someone?
  • Question Overview: As a general manager, you may need to fire someone. This question helps you learn how the hire might handle this challenging situation.

    Sample Answer: I have had to fire people in the past. It's never easy, but it's something that needs to be done sometimes.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to handle difficult situations
    • - Ability to make tough decisions
    • - Ability to communicate effectively