Top Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Question Overview: This question is a classic interview question, but it's important to understand how your candidate answers it.

Sample Answer: I am very detail-oriented. I like to make sure we have all the information we need before we make a decision. This is a strength when it comes to planning, but it can be a weakness when it comes to moving forward quickly. I've learned to be more flexible in my approach as I've gained experience.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confirmation that they are self-aware
• - Evidence of honesty
• - Indications that they have thought about their weaknesses and how they plan to improve them

Question Overview: This question is designed to get a sense of your candidate's career goals. It is important to know if they are looking for a short-term position or if they are planning to stick around for the long haul.

Sample Answer: I see myself as a leader in this industry. I am excited about the opportunities that HTWW Marketing has to offer, and I am confident that I can make a big impact here. I am looking for a long-term position where I can continue to grow and learn.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of career goals that align with your company
• - Confidence in their ability to achieve their goals
• - Evidence of ambition and drive

Question Overview: This question helps you evaluate whether the candidate is interested in your company or just interested in the job.

Sample Answer: I've been a big fan of HTWW for years. I love the way you've grown the business and I'm excited to be a part of that growth. I also love the way you've built a team that is so passionate about what they do. I want to be a part of that team.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence that the candidate has researched your company
• - Evidence that the candidate has researched the position
• - Confirmation that they are aligned with your company's mission

Question Overview: This question helps you understand how much experience your candidate has managing people. It also allows them to qualify their experience, if they have managed enough people to make an impact.

Sample Answer: I've been a manager for eight years. I started with a team of two writers six years ago at HTWW Magazine, and then I transitioned to my current role at HTWW Marketing with a team of five writers and two editors. In that time we added a project manager to the team, so I currently have eight direct reports who give me weekly status reports and receive project approvals from me.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confirmation of enough management experience to make an impact
• - Evidence of how many people the candidate has managed
• - Indications that they've taken on more responsibility over tim

Question Overview: This question reveals how your candidate has grown and developed in their career. It also gives you insight into how they view their own development.

Sample Answer: I've learned that I need to be more open to feedback. I used to be a very confident person, but I've learned that I need to be more open to hearing what others think about my work. It's helped me grow as a writer and editor.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of growth and development
• - Confirmation that they are self-aware
• - Indications that they are open to feedback and willing to change

Question Overview: This question is designed to evaluate how your candidate will respond to a crisis. It's important to know how they will handle a situation that could negatively impact the company.

Sample Answer: I would first assess the situation and determine if it was something I could handle or if I needed to bring in someone else. If I could handle it, I would make sure the team was aware of the issue and what we were doing to fix it. If I needed help, I would reach out to my manager or another team member who could help.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confidence in their ability to handle a crisis
• - Evidence they have experience with production issues
• - Indications that they will be able to think on their feet

Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how much experience your candidate has with the technical side of your business.

Sample Answer: I have a decent understanding of SQL. I've used it to pull data from our databases into Excel for analysis and reporting. I've also used it to create new tables and fields in our database.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confirmation that the candidate has the technical knowledge to succeed in their role
• - Evidence of how they've used their SQL knowledge in the past
• - Indications that they are willing to learn new skills

Question Overview: This question evaluates the candidate's ability to be assertive and stand up for themselves. It also shows you how they would handle a situation where they disagree with a superior.

Sample Answer: I would approach the situation with an open mind. I would want to understand the reasoning behind their decision before I made any judgments. If I still disagreed with them, I would explain why and ask for a different solution.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confidence in their ability to stand up for themselves
• - Evidence of their ability to be assertive
• - Indications that they are comfortable with confrontation

Question Overview: This question is a great opportunity for the candidate to sell you on their skills and experience. It also allows them to show that they've done their research and are aware of the position's responsibilities.

Sample Answer: I am a good fit for this position because I have experience in all of the areas you are looking for. I have a proven track record of increasing traffic and revenue for my clients, and I have experience managing a team of writers and editors. I am also familiar with your company's goals and mission, and I think I can help you reach them.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of alignment with the position's responsibilities
• - Confidence in their ability to succeed
• - Evidence they've done their research on the company

Question Overview: This question is designed to find out how the candidate manages their team. You'll want to know if they are hands-on or hands-off, and if they have a specific management style.

Sample Answer: I am a hands-off manager. I like to give my team the tools they need to succeed and then let them do their thing. My staff tell me they appreciate the space I give them to make decisions, but I think they would also tell you I am there for guidance when they need it. I schedule monthly check-ins to find out about any challenges or ideas for change.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confirmation that the candidate has a management style
• - Evidence of how they manage their team
• - Indications that they are aware of the best way to manage their team

Question Overview: This question helps you understand the candidate's motivation for the job. It also gives you an opportunity to learn about their career goals.

Sample Answer: I've been in marketing for five years, and I'm ready to move into a role that will challenge me more. I've been watching the audit industry for a while, and I think it's a great time to make the move. I'm excited about the opportunity to learn more about the industry and help companies improve their financial health.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of career growth
• - Confirmation that they are motivated to move up
• - Indications that they are motivated by professional growth

Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate will handle conflict with their superiors.

Sample Answer: I am not afraid to disagree with my boss. I know that sometimes it's important to speak up and offer a different perspective. I always do my best to make sure I am respectful and tactful, but I know that sometimes you need to be direct.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confirmation that they are comfortable with conflict
• - Evidence they are able to be diplomatic
• - Indications that they will be honest and direct when appropriate

Question Overview: This question helps you understand what your candidate is looking for in an ideal candidate. It gives you a sense of how they think about the position and what they are looking for in an employee.

Sample Answer: I think the ideal candidate is someone who is self-motivated, but also collaborative. I want someone who is excited to work with our team and can bring their own ideas to the table. I also want someone who is willing to learn from our team and take feedback well.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of alignment with your company's values
• - Confirmation that they are looking for someone who will be a good fit
• - Indications that they are looking for someone who will add value to the team

Question Overview: This question is designed to get to the heart of why the candidate is leaving their current job. It's important to understand if they are leaving for a promotion, a better title, or because they are unhappy.

Sample Answer: I am leaving my current job because I am ready for a new challenge. I have been with my company for five years and I am ready to take on more responsibility. I am excited to join your team and help you grow your business.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence they are leaving for a promotion
• - Confirmation that they are not unhappy with their current role
• - Indications that they are looking for a new challenge

Question Overview: This question helps you understand how the candidate prioritizes their time and what they consider most important.

Sample Answer: I think the most important thing as a project manager is to be able to communicate well. You need to be able to clearly communicate priorities and expectations to your team, and you need to be able to communicate with your team in a way that is clear and concise.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confirmation of the candidate's ability to prioritize
• - Evidence that they are aligned with your company's priorities
• - Indications that they are able to prioritize their work

Question Overview: This question is a great way to find out if the candidate is really interested in your company. It also gives you an opportunity to learn more about their motivations and goals.

Sample Answer: I've been interested in HTWW Marketing for a long time. I read your blog every day and I love the way you approach content marketing. I was thrilled when I saw your job posting and I knew I had to apply.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confirmation that the candidate is interested in your company
• - Evidence that they have researched your company
• - Indications that they are motivated by your company's mission

Question Overview: This question helps you understand the candidate's background and how it relates to your open position.

Sample Answer: I've been a writer for eight years. I started at HTWW Magazine as a writer and then transitioned to my current role as a marketing manager. In that time I've worked on a variety of projects including social media campaigns, blog posts, and email newsletters.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Evidence of relevant experience
• - Confirmation that the candidate has experience with your company's industry
• - Confirmation that the candidate has experience with your company's products or services

Question Overview: This question is designed to see how your candidate would handle a common management challenge. It's important to see how they would handle a situation that is not ideal, but also not uncommon.

Sample Answer: I would first try to understand why the team was resistant to change. I would want to know if they were concerned about the impact on their day-to-day work or if they were worried about the success of the project. Once I understood their concerns, I would meet with them individually and as a group to discuss the change and how it would benefit them and the company.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confidence in their ability to handle challenges
• - Evidence of leadership skills
• - Evidence of willingness to be flexible

Question Overview: This question helps you evaluate the candidate's interest in management. It also gives you a sense of how motivated they are to succeed in your company.

Sample Answer: I am very interested in management. I have been working toward this role for the last few years and I am excited to get started. I am motivated to work hard and learn as much as I can about my new role.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confirmation that the candidate is interested in management
• - Evidence of their motivation to succeed
• - Indications that they are willing to work hard to succeed

Question Overview: This is a straightforward question that gives you a chance to see how the candidate responds to a direct question.

Sample Answer: I'm looking for a salary of $75,000.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confidence in their value
• - Evidence of research into your company's compensation structure
• - Indications they are willing to negotiate