Good Supervisor

This is a behavioral or situational interview question. You are expected to provide an example of how you successfully managed a difficult employee or team member.

In your answer to this supervisor interview question focus on your ability to communicate openly to understand the cause of the mistake. To discuss with the employee how it can be prevented from happening again. To view the mistake as a learning opportunity to improve future performance.

Your ability to persuade and influence your employees or team members to accept change is key. Show how you were able to gain support and commitment from them by using the appropriate communication style, by listening and responding to concerns and questions, by asking for their help and commitment and by providing support.

The more your employees or team members understand about their jobs and responsibilities the more motivated they are. Show how you ensure each subordinate has clarity about his or her role and responsibilities. Discuss how you set clear, specific and realistic targets that are agreed on rather than dictated. Focus on how you involve employees by asking for suggestions, ideas and feedback.

When answering supervisor interview questions around your personal supervisory style remember that there is no wrong or right supervisory style. The only criteria is that it should be appropriate to the situation. Your ability to adapt your style to the demands of the person you are dealing with, the task at hand and the circumstances is key to success as a supervisor. Provide examples of how you have had to adapt your supervisory style to meet different needs.

In your interview answer include these key competencies or skills that apply to all supervisor jobs. Planning and organizing, problem-solving, decision-making, delegating, motivating, influencing, communicating and managing conflict.

☛ It provides me with constant new challenges to test my abilities.

☛ Communicating and meeting with new people.

☛ Able to use your initiative.

☛ Working as part of a team.

☛ Do not tell jokes or try to be funny.

☛ Do not become flustered and nervous.

☛ Do not become shy, highlight relevant skills and abilities.

☛ Do not Chew gum.

I expect a supervisor to treat employees with dignity and respect, to communicate clearly what is expected from the employees as well as any feedback, positive or negative, and to be competent in their position. I think a great supervisor always tries to support the well-being of everyone customers, employees, superiors and the general public as well.

Along similar lines, the interviewer wants to uncover whether this position is really in line with your ultimate career goals. While "an NBA star" might get you a few laughs, a better bet is to talk about your goals and ambitions-and why this job will get you closer to them.

It possess a good leadership and being responsible to handle and motivate people.

Ideally one that's similar to the environment of the company you're applying to. Be specific.

If asked this question, be honest and specific about your future goals, but consider this: A hiring manager wants to know a) if you've set realistic expectations for your career, b) if you have ambition (a.k.a., this interview isn't the first time you're considering the question), and c) if the position aligns with your goals and growth. Your best bet is to think realistically about where this position could take you and answer along those lines. And if the position isn't necessarily a one-way ticket to your aspirations? It's OK to say that you're not quite sure what the future holds, but that you see this experience playing an important role in helping you make that decision.

Hint: Ideally the same things that this position has to offer. Be specific.

What your interviewer is really trying to do with this question-beyond identifying any major red flags-is to gauge your self-awareness and honesty. So, I can't meet a deadline to save my life is not an option-but neither is Nothing! I'm perfect! Strike a balance by thinking of something that you struggle with but that you're working to improve. For example, maybe you've never been strong at public speaking, but you've recently volunteered to run meetings to help you be more comfortable when addressing a crowd.

Nothing says "hire me" better than a track record of achieving amazing results in past jobs, so don't be shy when answering this question! A great way to do so is by using the S-T-A-R method: Set up the situation and the task that you were required to complete to provide the interviewer with background context (e.g., In my last job as a junior analyst, it was my role to manage the invoicing process"), but spend the bulk of your time describing what you actually did (the action) and what you achieved (the result). For example, In one month, I streamlined the process, which saved my group 10 man-hours each month and reduced errors on invoices by 25%.

When answering this question, interview Skillings recommends being accurate share your true strengths, not those you think the interviewer wants to hear; relevant choose your strengths that are most targeted to this particular position; and specific for example, instead of "people skills, choose persuasive communication or relationship building. Then, follow up with an example of how you've demonstrated these traits in a professional setting.

This question seems forward (not to mention intimidating!), but if you're asked it, you're in luck: There's no better setup for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring manager. Your job here is to craft an answer that covers three things: that you can not only do the work, you can deliver great results; that you'll really fit in with the team and culture; and that you'd be a better hire than any of the other candidates.

Again, companies want to hire people who are passionate about the job, so you should have a great answer about why you want the position. And if you don't? You probably should apply elsewhere. First, identify a couple of key factors that make the role a great fit for you e.g., I love customer support because I love the constant human interaction and the satisfaction that comes from helping someone solve a problem, then share why you love the company e.g., I've always been passionate about education, and I think you guys are doing great things, so I want to be a part of it.

Any candidate can read and regurgitate the company's "About" page. So, when interviewers ask this, they aren't necessarily trying to gauge whether you understand the mission-they want to know whether you care about it. Start with one line that shows you understand the company's goals, using a couple key words and phrases from the website, but then go on to make it personal. Say, "I'm personally drawn to this mission because" or "I really believe in this approach because…" and share a personal example or two.

Any candidate can read and regurgitate the company's "About" page. So, when interviewers ask this, they aren't necessarily trying to gauge whether you understand the mission-they want to know whether you care about it. Start with one line that shows you understand the company's goals, using a couple key words and phrases from the website, but then go on to make it personal. Say, "I'm personally drawn to this mission because…" or "I really believe in this approach because…" and share a personal example or two.