Trainee Manager

I believe that taking risks is part of life but by mitigating the risk, I believe the best possible solution presents itself. I’m not afraid of taking risks; I just make sure that I have considered all the facts and possible outcomes my decision will have.

I approach multitasking and the handling of multiple responsibilities by maintaining focus. If I must handle several tasks at once, I make sure that I never lose sight of any and leave them unfinished. This is the key to handling them all effectively, maintaining quality in my work and ensuring the branch continues running smoothly.

I understand that sacrifices such as extra hours are necessary to the success of the branch, and I do what is best for the branch in order to set a good example. I am willing to make sacrifices and put in additional time when it is necessary, but I also aim to manage the time that I do have wisely and minimize the necessity of extra hours. Overtime is necessary if I cannot complete my tasks within the time allotted, and in that case, I will work extra. I won’t do so, however, unless I am truly unable to handle all of the work I have in less time.

You have to put forward your reasons, why do you think you are apt for this position. First of all, you should properly study the job profile and the skills you need to employ. Compare the aspects that are required for the job with the ones you posses. Give an example to reinforce your response.

This question is about your ability to negotiate, a key managerial skill. Can you balance competing demands and engineer a compromise? How would you manage your client’s expectations and what would you say to the contractor? Perhaps you could ask them to deliver the goods in smaller installments. In what circumstances would you look for a new supplier, and what complications could arise if you took this route?

State how you are looking for a new challenge, more responsibility, experience and a change of environment. Do not be negative in your reasons for leaving. It is rarely appropriate to cite salary as your primary motivator.

You may have been advised to answer with a canned response like "I'm a perfectionist," or "I work too hard." But employers are looking for honest answers. Focus on a weakness that is relatively minor and that you are actively working to overcome.

For instance, you could say, "I’m nervous about public speaking, which I know is a problem for my career. I've joined a local Toastmasters group to help me learn some tried-and-tested techniques. I also volunteer for presentations and speaking assignments to practice."

Make sure you do have some questions to ask them. Asking questions relating to the job are perfectly acceptable. However, refrain from asking about the pay unless they initiate the discussion.

I have the advantage of training before taking over the entire branch, so in that time, I plan to learn as much as possible and solidify my management approach. As it currently stands, however, my management style is democratic and relies heavily on feedback from my associates. This provides me with a perspective that is closer to the customers, and it also allows me to involve the whole team in the direction of the branch. I also emphasize communication and an open-door policy so that employees can always come to me with feedback and concerns, but I maintain a position as leader of the team.

This question is really just the opposite of your definition of success. What does failure mean to you and how do you know you have failed within a given time frame. Keep in mind that failure is just a perspective.

“For starters, failure is an event and not a person and you only fail if you quit and I’m not a quitter. I may not complete a project on time or miss an important deadline, but that does not qualify as having failed in my book. If I complete a task, but miss a deadline, I still consider it a success because I finished, but without the desired result.”

My biggest success so far has to belast year’s launch of or new range of snack bars – which was the first ever health snack to sell a million units in the UK in under 12 months. After landing the UK distribution deal, I was given three months to gain traction or they’d pull the plug. This wasn’t easy, but through communicating with hundreds of providers, I managed to build enough bridges to make the product take off. We even managed to make a decent profit- helping turn an underdog product into a household name.

Be cautious with this answer. Do not be too specific as you may draw attention to weaknesses that will leave you open to further problems. One approach is to choose a characteristic of your present company, such as its size or slow decision-making processes etc. Give your answer with the air of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job.

Prospective managers want to hear that you will not shy away from difficult decisions. Emphasize your problem-solving skills. Talk about how you evaluate various options when faced with a problem. Focus on how your skills and experience can help you handle unexpected problems and still deliver results. Be honest and center your answer around challenges that genuinely excite you.

Sell your credentials too in this question. Given that you have an experience of dealing with people, present the impact of the decisions you made.

I am well spoken and have an outgoing character as well as having excellent communication skills and presentation skills. In the past I have made presentations at national or international forums such as the UNESCO Youth Forum. I will do well in this job because I am interested in learning new things and enhancing my skills as a leader.

It is time to talk about your proud and not-so-proud moments. While you should take pride in discussing your glorious achievements, make it a point to show your bad moments in a positive light. Try not to sound too negative or blame your mistakes on someone else.

I only have so many hours in the day to get my work done and I have found that if I don’t create daily, weekly, and monthly goals, it seems like nothing ever gets done. I keep track of all my responsibilities and goals in spreadsheet and review them daily.

I mark down when I am first assigned a task, how long I think it will take, when it needs to be completed and how much time I will need to spend on it each day to complete the job on time. This helps me in so many ways, but mainly it keeps me on track with what is important. It also helps me from getting overbooked and promising more than I can deliver. Now, I can always deliver what I promise and be on-time.

Use this an opportunity to showcase what makes you unique. Everyone who makes the short list will be knowledgeable about the company, but perhaps you’re also really passionate about the organization and the mission. Or maybe your past experiences have given you greater insight into the industry.

As a branch manager trainee, I aim to learn from the branch’s current leaders and better understand the unique needs of its customers. I foresee a lot of sales growth and improvements in the customer experience for the future of the branch. My goals involve formulating plans to achieve both of these objectives. To promote growth, I hope to collaborate with the entire branch team and boost sales. To improve the customer experience, I intend to gather information regarding client expectations and implement strategic standards that provide better service throughout the entire experience.

This is a straightforward question. All you have to do is make sure that your 'likes' correspond to the skills required for the job on offer. Be enthusiastic; describe your job as interesting and diverse but do not overdo it - after all, you are looking to leave.