1. What Is Your Definition Of Failure?
This 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.”
2. How Would Your Members Of Staff Describe You?
This type of gives you the opportunity to tell the panel what qualities you possess that are relevant to the management role. Don’t be modest when answering these questions. Here’s a great response:
“My members of staff would say that I am an effective leader who injects enthusiasm and motivation in to the team. They would also say that I am results driven and that, whilst I am fair, I also expect a hard day’s work from everyone.”
3. What Do You Think Of Management In General?
This type of is asked to see how well you understand the responsibilities of being a manager. Here’s a brilliant response to this kind of question:
“I strongly believe that managers have a responsibility to manage, to lead and to drive through the organisations goals and missions. They also have a responsibility to implement change within their team. A manager must be a positive role model and should always expect high standards from his or her staff. Although being a manager can be tough at times, it is also highly rewarding if done correctly. It is essential that a team believes in their manager manager’s aspirations and it is the manager’s responsibility to maintain levels of enthusiasm and motivation. This can be achieved by keeping regular contact with all team members and holding regular briefings and appraisals.
4. Explain Me How Do You Manage Your Time?
Obviously, your answer should reflect that you are a self starter and never put things off. They want to hear that you set goals for your work and how you prioritize them.
“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.
5. As You Know We Are A Fast Moving Organization And Things Are Always Changing, How Do You Think You Will Fit In With Our Ever Changing And Fast Paced Environment?
“Our company has 20 field sales reps and they need to receive their email on the cell phone. This is something the IT department knows little about and has never supported mobile devices for a variety of reasons. The request came down from the president and we needed to make this happen immediately.
I was out of my element on this one and knew little about the subject, but I was assigned the entire task with a short deadline. So I researched the various technologies that would support our needs, tested several of them and after 3 weeks of hard work I presented my findings to the sales department and allowed them to make a decision on one of the three options.
6. What Experience Do You Have With Respects To This Particular Manager Airline Position?
Ever since my first paper route at age 10 I’ve been doing something to keep myself busy and earn money. Back then, it was obviously about earning some spending money. What I didn’t realize was that I was actually starting the journey of establishing what I liked to do and how I fit in to the grand scheme of things. I then worked as a junior computer tech in my last 2 summers of high school. It was here that I discovered what I was passionate about and what I wanted to do. I enrolled in college to get my degree in computer sciences, and I have been working around technology ever since.
7. I Like What I’m Hearing But We’ve Got A Ton Of Great Candidates. Why Should We Hire You?
An easy to answer well with one caveat – don’t slam your fellow interviewee’s. On the one hand, you have an opportunity to really stand out from the pack. Alternatively, You shouldn’t assume the skills of other applicants. Focus on your own strengths, and if the interviewer hasn’t given you an opportunity to mention that one “slam dunk” quality about yourself, now would be the time.
Consider the responses below:
“I really need a job right now”
“I need the money”
“Your office is really close to my house”
“I’ve always been interested in what you guys do”
Notice any commonality here? All of these answers demonstrate a benefit to you. While every employer assumes that these sorts of things play in on some level, these are not the reasons they are going to hire you.
8. I Don’t Expect You To Go Into Too Much Detail – But Why Are You Leaving Your Last Job?
If you’re currently employed and leaving of your own accord, craft your response around enhancing your career development and a seeking out of new challenges.
If your current employer is downsizing, be honest about it, remain positive, but keep it brief. If your employer fired you or let you go for cause, be prepared to give a brief – but honest – reply. No matter how tempting it may be, or how “unfair it was that they let you go” steer clear away from any and all drama and negativity. Any experienced employer understands that sometimes things happen. Staying positive is key here.
9. Any Questions Regarding Manager Airline Job?
This one you can almost be assured will be asked, and you better have some ready.
By asking questions you demonstrate initiative, and show that you care enough about the job to have done some research. Ask questions that focus on areas where you can be an asset. Beyond this, other questions may be more direct including productivity, expectations, training, and other logistics. All this being said, try and limit the questions to no more than three or four.
10. Explain Me What Is Your Definition Of Success?
The interviewer is looking for work related examples of how you measure success and when know you have reached accomplishment. Use a work related example and keep your answer short and to the point.
“In my opinion and as it relates to the workplace, success is a measurable variable. If you don’t measure your accomplishments, success is lost. Success can be tied to everything you do each day.
If I plan to accomplish 3 tasks before the end of the day and I do so, then I have been successful. Success simply means accomplishing what you set out to do within the parameters you specify, whether they be time, money or learning, etc.”
11. Please Explain How Would Your Co-workers Describe You?
Manager interview questions like this are generally asked to discover additional hidden qualities about yourself that you might not otherwise have mentioned.
“My co-workers will tell you that I am a team player and a colleague they can count on to pull his weight whether it’s a normal day or we’re in a crunch.”
12. Do You Feel That You Are An Organized Person?
In this manager question, they are not asking if you keep a messy desk. Don’t reveal any organizational flaws you may have as that will be a strike against you and if you do have your act together, don’t come across as being a neatness freak either. Instead, speak of your ability to manage time and workload.
“Yes, I consider myself to be very well organized. Everyday when I arrive at work, I check my email and messages. Then I plan out exactly what I am going to do that day. Even if I already know that I am going to work on the Johnson proposal, I still review my current status and set my goals for the day. At the end of the day, I review my progress and plan for the following day.”
13. Tell Me How Long Are You Willing To Fail At This Job Before You Succeed?
This is one of the favorite tough questions of Jon Sterling, co-founder of Interview Circuit. It’s tricky because “I don’t have an answer in mind when I ask it,” he says, “and I use it to see how the candidate reacts.”
A variety of answers would be acceptable in this scenario. “A good answer would be, ‘I’m willing to stick with this job for as long as it takes to succeed,'” Sterling says. This shows endurance and that you’re in it for the long-haul.
Alternatively, you could say that you plan to fail as quickly as possible so that you can learn from your mistakes and move on. “That answer would indicate that they’re impatient, aggressive, and not afraid to fail (which are things I like),” Sterling says.
14. What Are Your Weaknesses As Manager Airline?
Another tricky one. The purpose of this is to see how you view and evaluate yourself.
One the one hand, if you suggest you don’t have any weaknesses, your interviewer will almost certainly see you as a lair, egotistical, or both.
Don’t fall into the trap of trying to present a positive skill in disguise as a weakness, like “I work too hard” or “I am a perfectionist”. Any experienced interviewer will see through this in a heartbeat.
Additionally, revealing that “I’m not really a morning person and have been known to come in late” raises immediate and obvious red flags.
The trick here is to respond realistically by mentioning a small, work related weakness and what you are doing or have done to overcome it.
15. What Are Your Salary Expectations As Manager Airline?
Many consider this to be a loaded gun – dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced. Often times, an interviewee will start talking salary before they’ve had an opportunity to illustrate their skill set and value making any sort of leverage valueless. Here, knowledge is power, as salary often comes down to negotiation. Do some research into your industry to establish base rates of pay based on seniority and demand but keep in mind – your employer is hiring you for what they believe you are worth, and how much benefit they feel you will provide.
One relatively safe approach is simply asking the interviewer about the salary range. If you wish to avoid the entirely, respond by saying that “money isn’t a key factor” and your primary goal is to advance in your career.
16. Tell Us Do You Consider Yourself A Risk Taker Or Do You Like To Play It Safe?
Most of us are a little of each, but be careful how you tailor your answer. If you come across as a risk taker, you may be prejudged as one who will disregard corporate policy in the future. It is best to come across as one who generally plays it safe, but is not afraid of taking risks as long as everything has been done to mitigate the risk.
“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.”
17. What Are Your Strengths As Manager Airline?
While this is an invitation to do some chest pounding, remember to illustrate strengths that will benefit the employer and are relative to the position.
For example:
being a problem solver
being a motivator
being a natural leader
the ability to perform under pressure
a positive attitude
loyalty
Are typically all solid strengths, but again, consider the position. For example, mentioning you are an excellent “team player” in a job where you largely work alone suddenly becomes irrelevant to the employer and demonstrates a genuine lack of self awareness.
18. How Do You React To Problems?
This is basically asking if you panic when problems arise. So make it clear in your answer that you make all attempts to anticipate problems before they arise so you can deal with them in a more controlled environment.
“I don’t react to problems, but acknowledge their existence and respond to them in a calm manner. Reacting to a problem causes a panic and the problem does not get resolved until everyone calms down, accepts the situation and then focuses on a resolution.”