Manager Interview
Questions
to Ask Potential Managers
Your relationship with your manager is very
important. Your career progression and even your
happiness on the job is dependant on it. In fact,
many people leave a position because they're
unhappy with their bosses - in other words many
people don't quit jobs, they quit bosses. So how do you ensure that
you and your potential boss will get along? If
you ask the right questions during the jon
interview you can often recognize signs about
whether a particular boss will be right for you.
The Ideal
Employee
Know what your
potential manager expect from you is important to
developing a good work relationship. So ask,
"What's your ideal employee like?"
If her ideal
employee works independently, rest assured that
you won't be micro-managed.
If her ideal
employee works long hours on a regular basis,
expect to do the same.
You're likely to
be happier on the job if you and your potential
manager have similar working styles.
Dealing with
Problems
How does a
potential manager will handle potential problems?
Ask,
"What's your approach to solving
problems?"
This can give
you insight into his management style. Does he
prefer to take charge and make a decision
independently? Does he delegate the decision to a
staff member? Or does he favor a more
collaborative style of problem solving?
The Staff
How well does
your potential manager know and get along with
his staff?
Ask, "Can
you tell me about the people I'd be working with?
How long have you worked with them?"
Does your
potential boss seem to know his staff? Can he
list their individual accomplishments?
Is your
potential boss happy with his staff? Is he proud
of them? Does he sound upbeat and positive or
does he sound a bit frustrated or disappointed?
Also note how
long his staff has worked with him. High turnover
can be a red flag. Happy employees are less
likely to quit, and a fair boss is less likely to
fire people.
Results and
Rewards
For your hard
work to be recognized and appreciated you need to
know how a potential manager defines excellence.
Ask, "How
do you measure success on the job?"
Over All
Impressions
How a potential
manager reacts to these questions can also tell
you something. Are they open to questions or
defensive? Are they disinterested or evasive?
etc.
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