Describe Your Ideal Manager Interview Answers - Career Sidekick

Describe Your Ideal Manager Interview Answers - Career Sidekick Describe Your Ideal Manager Interview Answers Interview Questions and Answers / https://www.edenscott.com/blog Employers love to ask questions about what type of management style you prefer, what type of boss or manager you work best under, and more.They want to see if youll fit into their organization and make sure you dont have a toxic attitude, too. But how can you make sure youre giving a good answer without knowing much about them?In this article, Ill explain how to answer interview questions like:Describe your ideal boss or managerDescribe the type of supervisor you preferWhat management style do you prefer or work best under?Even if you dont know much about their organization or arent sure what you prefer.And without ever scaring the employer away or saying anything thats a potential red flag that could cost you the job!Lets get startedHow to Describe Your Ideal Boss in Interviews1. Know your audienceYoure going to have a much easier time answering questions like, describe your ideal manager (or management style) if youve researched the company before th e interview.That way, you can try to show you appreciate their company culture and style, to show youll be a good match.You dont need to lie, but you do want to adjust your answer to show you can fit into their team. Otherwise, youre unlikely to get hired.So check out the companys website, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube before an interview to try to get clues about their general management style. And then in the interview, if youre talking to your future supervisor or manager, try to note their personality.Do they seem hands-off and relaxed? Or more strict and likely to give detailed guidance each day?Noticing these things will help you answer with confidence (and without costing yourself the job).2. Show you can adapt to any styleYou dont want to paint yourself into a corner when answering this question. So avoid using words like always and never when describing your ideal boss, supervisor, or manager.That way, if youre slightly wrong about what type of management style they have, you still havent cost yourself the job.For example, dont say: I prefer a laid-back management style. I never enjoy working for supervisors who check in often or watch my work closely, and I only do good work when Im left alone.Instead, this is a much better example answer for what management style you prefer:I really enjoy a laid-back management style, but Ive also worked for supervisors in the past who check in often and prefer to guide my work more closely, so Im okay with that as well. I try to adapt to the organization and management style of the company Im in.3. Talk about past jobs to demonstrate how youve worked well with former managers and supervisorsIf applicable, you can mention a past supervisor whose style you adapted to. This isnt 100% necessary, but its always more convincing and memorable to tell a story rather than just say, yes, I can do XYZ.As an example, you might answer by saying: Ive typically been given a lot of freedom to make decisions and self-manage in my career, which I love. However, in my last job, my boss resigned and a new supervisor came in who had a much more hands-on management style. I was still able to work well under this style of management and ended up getting along great with this new boss.4. Keep your answer brief and to-the-pointWhen you describe your ideal manager in an interview, aim for around 20-40 seconds. You dont want your answer to get too long here. Be direct, get to the point right away, and then conclude by sharing an example and/or explaining why you work well under a variety of different management and leadership styles.(This should sound familiar if youve read the steps above and didnt skip down in the article).5. Dont draw attention to any negativesIf you happen to have one or two former managers that you didnt enjoy working under, thats NOT information you want to share in your interview answer.So do NOT say something like: I prefer a hands-on management style. My last boss only checked in with me onc e or twice a week, and I really struggled to get my work done and stay on track.6. Practice your answer at homeI recommend practicing by recording yourself talking into your smartphone (ever modern phone should have a voice recorder app). That way, you can see how your answer sounds and make sure youre remembering the key points you want to mention in your answer.Dont memorize word-for-word; youll just sound like a robot or get nervous in the interview. Instead, focus on talking about the key points you want to discuss, and in the order you want to discuss them.Once youre able to give a clear, concise answer without leaving out key pieces, youre ready for your interview!Example Answers for Describe Your Ideal BossHere are two full sample answers for, describe your ideal boss or describe what management style you prefer to work under?These should sound familiar if you read through the steps above, but will serve as a review and help you create your own impressive-sounding answer.Exam ple Answer 1:I enjoy working under a manager or supervisor who gives me the ability to make decisions and trusts my work, but Ive also worked for supervisors who check-in quite often and have more of a hands-on approach to leadership, so Im okay with that as well. I try to adapt to the organization and adjust my work to add value to whatever style of company Im in, and how my manager prefers I work.Example Answer 2:Ive typically been given a lot of freedom to make decisions and self-manage in my career, which I love. However, in my last job, my boss resigned and a new supervisor came in who had a much more hands-on management style. I was still able to work well under this style of management and ended up getting along great with this new boss.Show Your Future Boss Youd Fit Well With Them!If you follow the steps above, youll have a great interview answer any time an employer asks you to describe your ideal manager or boss.By showing you can work under a variety of management styles, theyll feel confident in hiring you.And by also mentioning your personal preference, youll show them youre giving an honest, thoughtful answer instead of just saying what they want to hear.Thats why the answer steps above are so effective in explaining what management style you work best under because it uses honesty and gives them a genuine answer, while still showing you can work well under a variety of managers, supervisors, and leadership styles.