How to Answer Supervisor Interview Questions

Job interview jitters are common, even if you’re interviewing for a job as a supervisor. The best way to tackle interview anxiety is to be well-prepared. Have you practiced answering common interview questions about your strengths and weaknesses and why you want to work at the company but still don’t feel ready? You’re missing the important step of preparing for job-specific questions.

Here are six sample supervisor interview questions and answers that can help you gain confidence and excel at your supervisor interview.

6 Interview Questions for Supervisors

1. What are the qualities of a good supervisor?
2. What are your workplace values?
3. How do you resolve conflicts between staff members?
4. What are some strategies you’d use to motivate your team?
5. Why are you interested in taking on a supervisory role?
6. Do you have prior leadership experience?

General Supervisor Interview Questions and Answers

No matter what position you’re applying for or whether you have prior experience or not, prepare to be asked supervisor interview questions that will gauge your leadership style and soft skills. Here are four common interview questions for a supervisor position along with advice for how you can answer them.

Interview Question #1: What Are the Qualities of a Good Supervisor?

What makes for a good supervisor is partly company-specific, but it also depends on the industry. At the same time, there are universal skills that are important across sectors.

• Focus on fundamental soft skills for supervisors, such as communication style, decision-making skills, the ability to inspire and motivate a team, and focus.
• Touch on some of the requirements from the job ad without repeating the exact terms.
• Explain what makes you suitable for the job.

How You Could Answer:

“A good supervisor communicates well, when it comes to both positive and negative feedback. Employees should know what they’re doing well and where they can improve. Good supervisors create a healthy, positive work environment, while also setting clear expectations and goals. It’s also important to be able to listen to feedback. The best supervisors are open to suggestions from their subordinates, when these suggestions make sense, are able to listen and learn, but also make it clear that they make the final decisions.”

Interview Question #2: What Are Your Workplace Values?

The best managers mesh with their company's culture. It’s important to customize your answer to your prospective employer.

• Do research beforehand. Your values should match the employer’s; otherwise, you’re in for a bumpy ride, or at least, an awkward job interview.
• Use your answer to show that you’ve done your homework on the company.

How You Could Answer:

“I value an adhocracy company culture where employees are encouraged to take risks to fuel new ideas. It increases friendly competition between employees, which in turn encourages creativity. This is important at a startup like yours, where fast-paced innovation will help us grow and create new products.”

Interview Question #3: How Do You Resolve Conflicts Between Staff Members?

Managing conflicts among clients, consumers, and employees is a key responsibility for supervisors. Ideally, you’d prevent conflicts instead of solving them, but of course, that isn’t always possible.

• Discuss how clarifying or setting new office policies can resolve some conflicts.
• Differentiate between minor squabbles, major conflicts, and illegal or unethical behavior.
• Demonstrate your understanding of basic conflict resolution skills.

How You Could Answer:

“I often refer employees to company policies for simple conflicts such as disagreements about shared equipment, meeting rooms, or fridge space. I encourage employees to resolve some minor personal disagreements themselves. When necessary, I schedule a meeting, make sure that all parties feel heard, and ask for input about how the situation can be solved.

Serious conflicts that jeopardize employee safety or well-being or create a hostile work environment must be tackled immediately. In these cases I schedule a meeting with the involved parties, follow proper company protocol, and inform HR of the situation.”

Interview Question #4: What Are Some Strategies You’d Use to Motivate Your Team?

Motivating your team can be challenging, but it’s absolutely essential for good supervisors. Discuss job satisfaction, company culture, and external factors that impact motivation.

• Explain how you communicate praise.
• Mention your view on rewards.

How You Could Answer:

“Motivation at work starts with a healthy company culture where employees feel they belong and are appreciated. If employees aren’t happy at work, they might start slacking off. Other factors are important as well, for example setting clear expectations and goals, so employees know what they need to do to succeed.

These factors are more important than minor rewards; however, monetary bonuses incentivize employees as well. When the budget allows for it, a year-end bonus for those who performed well according to KPIs is a valuable motivation tool.”

First-Time Supervisor Interview Questions and Answers

If you’re interviewing for your first supervisor role, you might be even more nervous—and more eager to prove yourself. Get ready to answer questions about your motivation and ability to lead a team. Here are two examples of potential first-time supervisor interview questions and answers that can help you land your first supervisor job.

Interview Question #5: Why Are You Interested in Taking on a Supervisory Role?

Some interview questions for a supervisor position will ask about your motivations and goals, especially if this is your first supervisor position. It’s likely the employer is either assessing your potential management skills or your dedication to the role.

• Avoid mentioning a salary increase, a title, or how the role will benefit your future career. Employers are more interested in what you can do for them.
• Your answer should highlight your potential strengths as a supervisor.
• You can also mention ideas you have from your time in another role in the same (or a similar) department.

How You Could Answer:

“During my time on the factory floor, I’ve come across many instances where efficiency could be improved by changing our workflow. I’d like to take on a management role to use my insights into our manufacturing processes to cut costs and time, while also making the work less physically demanding for workers.”

Interview Question #6: Do Your Have Prior Leadership Experience?

Here are some tips for how to answer questions about your management experience if you haven’t been a supervisor before.

• Bring up work experience where you led a group, for example as a speaker at a conference, a team leader of a project, or the organizer of a work event.
• Think about leadership roles you’ve taken on outside of work, for example as a college club president or volunteer project manager.
• Highlight how you excelled in your leadership role.

How You Could Answer:

“I have plenty of leadership experience outside of work. I’m a neighborhood council president and nonprofit board member. I’ve also helped organize holiday parties and other events at work.

For our annual donation drive, I increased participation by almost 50% through fun team-building activities and promotional flyers leading up to the event.”

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