If you're being interviewed for a management position in the nature of questions that you can expect in this regard will be quite incisive and demanding. You are after all going to be working with one of the company's assets by way of the people that bring everything else together. An employer would be negligent not to ascertain whether you have the prerequisite skills and experience to manage other people. They will also want to know how you feel about being in a management position and want proof of your accomplishments in such a role. They will also want to know if you are a natural leader and whether you are a manager, delegator, administrator or bureaucrat in style.
- What is your management style?
"Open-door" as well as "open-mind" is my approach. I also try to get the job done on time or inform management as to the status if there's a problem that they need to know about if I can't deal with it.
- Are you a good manager? Give an example. Why do you feel you have top managerial potential?
Keep your answer achievement and task-oriented. Emphasise your management skills of planning, organising, interpersonal, leading, controlling, etc.
- What do you look for when you hire people?
Mention some of the following characteristics: Skills, initiative, motivation, personality, experience and adaptability.
- How big was the budget that you were responsible for?
Give examples of your responsibilities. Explain how the budget was determined, and your role in overseeing your department's portion.
- Have you ever had to fire anyone? If so, why and how did you handle it?
Give a brief example of a time when you faced this, and stress that it worked out well.
- What do you see as the most difficult/demanding task of being a manager?
You can say things like, "Getting things planned and done on time within the budget" or "motivating staff".
- What do your subordinates think of you?
Be honest and positive because they can check your responses with relative ease.
- What is your biggest weakness as a manager?
Be honest and end on a positive note, for example "I don't enjoy reprimanding people, so I try to begin with something positive first."
- How do you run a meeting?
You could say that you must start with an agenda and stick to it. You could add that you would try to get the views and ideas from everyone present, working in an air of co-operation. If people moved off at a tangent you would bring them back to the item being discussed.
- What makes a good manager?
You should say that it is someone who listens to other people and can delegate whilst maintaining overall control of the task at hand, bringing in the project on time and to budget. Good planning skills are essential.
- Do you know how to motivate other people?
Ideally you should say "Yes", and mention that you have to "find out what motivates a person and give them recognition for a job well done. You should always give them encouragement and help them when required."
- How many people did you supervise on your last job?
Explain the structure of your department and your role as manager.
- How would you resolve conflict in a group situation?
I would immediately take charge of the situation and then diffuse the atmosphere by calming the parties down. Then I would depersonalise the issue. I would insure that unemotive communication began to flow will I maintained control to ensure that tempers didn't flare up again. I would strive to get everyone to agree a way forward, or simply agree to disagree and move on.