Question Overview: This question is designed to see how well the applicant can think on their feet. The ideal candidate will have a creative response that will allow you to see how they think. Do they have a good sense of humor? Are they able to come up with a witty answer?
Sample Answer: I would be able to fly because I would be able to get anywhere in the world in a short amount of time.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in all areas of the operation to ensure that they are providing value to those they teach. Focus on the applicant's ability to convey their answer as it indicates how good they are at explaining topics to someone who does not know the business as well as they do.
Sample Answer: I have trained several hundred employees over the course of 10 years. At my last position, I learned about jobs and duties within each department to ensure that I could answer any questions regarding a specific zone.
Question Overview: This is a general question that is used to learn more about the applicant. The ideal candidate will be able to speak about their life in a way that shows their personality. Do they have a strong sense of humor? Are they serious? What are their hobbies?
Sample Answer: I am a very outgoing person who enjoys spending time with my family. I have been playing soccer since I was a child and still play on a local team.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in the industry you are hiring for. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how knowledgeable they are about the business. Does the candidate have experience in your industry? If not, what other industries have they worked in?
Sample Answer: I have worked in the retail industry for 10 years. I started as a cashier and worked my way up to shift leader.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have researched the company and will have a strong understanding of what it has to offer. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how well they know the company and whether or not they are interested in working for your business.
Sample Answer: I have been interested in working for your company for some time now. I have read about your products and services, and I am very interested in working for a company that is growing as quickly as yours.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to articulate the differences between a boss and a leader. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how they view the role of a shift leader. Does the individual believe that a boss is someone who gives orders and expects them to be followed, while a leader is someone who inspires others to work harder?
Sample Answer: A boss is someone who gives orders and expects them to be followed. A leader is someone who inspires others to work harder.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will have experience working on a team to complete a project. The candidate's response to this question will allow you to understand what types of strategies they have used in the industries they have worked in. Does the individual use quotas to make sure each person is hitting their sales requirements? What aspects do they focus on throughout their shift to improve productivity?
Sample Answer: At my last position, I helped my team develop a new product by creating a prototype and testing it with customers.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have done their research on the company prior to the interview. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how well they know the business. Does the individual have a basic understanding of the company's history and how it has grown over the years?
Sample Answer: I have read about Five Guys Burgers and Fries in several magazines. I know that you started in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia, and have since expanded to over 1,000 locations.
Question Overview: Mistakes are inevitable, but the ideal candidate will have learned from their errors and will not make the same mistake twice. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how they handle their mistakes and what they have done to ensure that they do not repeat them.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I made a mistake by not asking a coworker if they were able to complete a task before I left for the day. When I returned the next morning, I found that the task was not completed.
Question Overview: Shift leaders are responsible for ensuring that each customer receives the correct order. If an order is incorrect, the applicant must be able to handle the situation in a professional manner. The ideal candidate will have experience in handling this type of situation and will be able to offer a solution to prevent it from happening again.
Sample Answer: If a customer received the wrong order, I would immediately apologize and offer to make it right. I would then find out what went wrong and make sure that it does not happen again.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a positive outlook on life and be able to convey that in their response. The applicant's answer to this question will allow you to understand how they view themselves as a person. Do they feel as though they are a hard worker? Do they believe that they are a good leader?
Sample Answer: I would describe myself as a hard worker, dedicated and passionate about my job.
Question Overview: Shift leaders are responsible for ensuring that their staff is working to the best of their ability. The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with employees who are not performing up to par. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how they handle situations where an employee is not meeting expectations.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I had an employee who was not meeting his quota. I sat down with him and we discussed ways he could improve his sales numbers. After a few weeks, he was able to meet his goals and was promoted to a sales manager.
Question Overview: When an employee is not performing up to standards, the shift leader must be able to handle the situation. The ideal candidate will have experience in correcting an employee's behavior and will be able to explain how they would handle the situation.
Sample Answer: I would first make sure that I understand the problem. Then, I would explain to the employee what they need to do differently and why it is important for them to improve.
Question Overview: Conflict is inevitable in any workplace. The ideal candidate will have experience resolving issues with other employees. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how well they are able to handle conflict with others.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I had a disagreement with a coworker regarding a project. I was able to resolve the issue by talking with them and coming to an agreement that both of us were satisfied with.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in all areas of the operation to ensure that they are providing value to those they teach. Focus on the applicant's ability to convey their answer as it indicates how good they are at explaining topics to someone who does not know the business as well as they do.
Sample Answer: I have trained several hundred employees over the course of 10 years. At my last position, I learned about jobs and duties within each department to ensure that I could answer any questions regarding a specific zone.
Question Overview: Shift leaders are often required to make quick decisions when there is a problem. The ideal candidate will have experience in dealing with stressful situations to ensure that they are able to handle the pressure.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I was required to make a decision regarding a customer complaint. I had to decide whether or not to give the customer a refund for the product they purchased.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in the industry you are hiring for. They will have a story that demonstrates their ability to succeed in the position you are hiring for.
Sample Answer: My best achievement was when I was able to increase sales by 20% in my last position. I did this by creating a new strategy that focused on selling to new customers.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with difficult employees. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how they handle conflict. Do they have a plan for how to deal with such situations? What do they do to ensure that the employee is no longer a problem?
Sample Answer: In my last position, I had an employee who was not meeting their sales quota. I sat down with them and discussed the issue, and we came up with a plan to improve their performance.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in all aspects of the operation. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand what types of tasks they have been required to complete in the past. Does the individual have experience in managing inventory, scheduling, hiring and firing?
Sample Answer: I was responsible for managing inventory, scheduling and hiring/firing employees. I also had to make sure that all employees were trained on their jobs and that they were performing well.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience negotiating their salary. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how well they can negotiate a fair salary. Does the individual have a set number in mind or are they willing to discuss the topic further?
Sample Answer: I am looking for a salary of $60,000.