Interviewing potential candidates for a managerial role can be a challenging task for recruiters and hiring managers. A great way to determine if a candidate has the necessary skills and qualifications for the job is by asking behavioral interview questions. These types of questions allow you to gain insight into how candidates have handled situations in the past, giving you a better understanding of how they might handle similar situations in the future.
What are Behavioral Interview Questions?
Behavioral interview questions are questions that ask candidates to describe how they have handled specific situations in the past. These questions are designed to assess a candidate’s competencies, such as problem-solving, communication, leadership, and teamwork, by looking at their past experiences.
For example, instead of asking a candidate if they are good at problem-solving, you might ask them to describe a time when they had to solve a complex problem and how they went about it. This allows you to get a better understanding of their problem-solving skills based on a real-life scenario.
Why Use Behavioral Interview Questions?
Using behavioral interview questions can help you make better hiring decisions by providing you with concrete examples of a candidate’s skills and abilities. Rather than relying on vague or general statements about their qualifications, you can see how they have applied their skills in real-life situations.
Behavioral interview questions can also help you identify potential red flags in a candidate’s past behavior. For example, if a candidate has a history of poor communication skills, you might be able to spot this by asking them to describe a time when they had to communicate a difficult message to a team.
Types of Behavioral Interview Questions for Managers
When interviewing candidates for a managerial role, there are several types of behavioral interview questions that can be particularly useful. These include:
Leadership
Leadership questions are designed to assess a candidate’s ability to lead a team effectively. Examples of leadership questions include:
- Can you describe a time when you had to motivate a team to achieve a challenging goal?
- How do you handle conflicts between team members?
- Can you give an example of how you have supported and developed your team?
Communication
Effective communication is crucial for any managerial role. Communication questions are designed to assess a candidate’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Examples of communication questions include:
- Can you describe a time when you had to provide difficult feedback to an employee?
- How do you ensure that your team is kept informed of important updates and changes?
- Can you give an example of how you have communicated a complex project to a non-technical stakeholder?
Problem-Solving
As a manager, you will often be faced with complex problems that require creative solutions. Problem-solving questions are designed to assess a candidate’s ability to think critically and come up with effective solutions. Examples of problem-solving questions include:
- Can you describe a time when you had to solve a complex problem?
- How do you approach problems that have no obvious solution?
- Can you give an example of how you have used data to solve a business problem?
Teamwork
Managers need to be able to work effectively with their team members and other stakeholders. Teamwork questions are designed to assess a candidate’s ability to collaborate and work well with others. Examples of teamwork questions include:
- Can you describe a time when you had to work with a difficult team member?
- How do you build and maintain strong relationships with your team?
- Can you give an example of how you have collaborated with stakeholders outside of your team?
Conclusion
Behavioral interview questions can be a powerful tool for hiring managers looking to make informed decisions about potential candidates. By asking candidates to describe how they have handled specific situations in the past, you can gain valuable insights into their skills and abilities, and identify potential red flags. When interviewing candidates for a managerial role, be sure to include questions that assess their leadership, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. With the right questions, you can find the best candidate for the job.
