Supervisor Interview Preparation Guide

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.

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.

The more your employees or team members understand about their jobs and accountabilities 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.

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. Find out about How to answer behavioral interview questions.In you 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.

You 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.

Your example can show how you identified the source of conflict, used the conflict situation as a constructive process to exchange opinions and ideas and clarify roles and responsibilities. Discuss how you kept the focus on the desired outcome rather than on personal grievances.

Coaching and developing others is part of the supervisor function. Supervisor interview questions about coaching and development of employees should include your ability to agree on the outcomes and methods of coaching with the employee, to explain and demonstrate task performance, to observe and provide constructive feedback.

These supervisor interview questions explore your ability to plan and organize. Your interview answer should demonstrate your ability to set priorities, establish objectives and milestones, schedule activities and plan proper use of resources.

This question is designed to assess your performance standards. Show how you set high work standards for yourself and your subordinates, how you communicate your expectations and how you monitor performance.

Your Name
Your Address
Your Contact details (phone and email)

Date

Mr Smith
Director for Operations
ABC Company
7 West Parkway
Long Island, NY 11223

Dear Mr Smith

In response to your job posting for a Supervisor I have attached my resume for your consideration. I believe that I am an excellent candidate for this position as I have illustrated below.

► Solid experience in supervising general operations and allocating tasks and resources to meet company goals
► Coordination and control of activities for X departments
► Supervision and performance management of up to X employees
► Proven success in training and developing employees
► Constantly met departmental/organizational targets on time and in good order
► Accustomed to handling multiple tasks and meeting tight deadlines in a fast paced work environment
► Strong interpersonal skills including proven competency in negotiation and conflict management
► Excellent administrative skills
► Wide-ranging liaison with management

I would very much like to discuss with you how I could contribute to your organization. Please contact me to arrange a mutually convenient time for us to meet.

Thank you for your consideration

Sincerely

Joe Jobseeker

Enclosure