Typical interview questions worth preparing for:

1. Can you walk me through your career progression and how it has prepared you for this role?

• Purpose: This allows you to explain your background, highlight relevant experiences, and showcase your growth over time.

2. What’s the most challenging project you’ve managed, and how did you ensure its success?

• Purpose: This question probes your project management skills, ability to handle complexity, and how you deal with challenges under pressure.

3. How do you prioritise tasks when managing multiple projects or deadlines?

• Purpose: Understanding how you handle workload prioritisation helps a hiring manager assess your organisational and time management skills.

4. Tell me about a time you had to lead a team through a difficult change or challenge. How did you approach it?

• Purpose: This question evaluates your leadership abilities, emotional intelligence, and how well you could/can guide a team through adversity or change.

5. How do you approach performance feedback and development for your team?

• Purpose: This question sheds light on your management style, particularly around coaching, employee development, and handling underperformance.

6. Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with other departments to achieve a goal. How did you navigate cross-functional challenges?

• Purpose: It reveals your ability to work cross-functionally, your communication skills, and how you manage interdepartmental dynamics.

7. What steps do you take to foster a positive and inclusive team culture?

• Purpose: This helps gauge your approach to team-building, inclusivity, and your effort in creating a productive, supportive work environment.

8. How do you stay up-to-date with trends and developments in your field?

• Purpose: It assesses whether you are proactive in staying informed about industry changes, new tools, or techniques that can add value to the organisation.

9. Can you give me an example of a tough decision you’ve had to make as a manager and how you handled it?

• Purpose: This question uncovers your decision-making process, your ability to handle difficult situations, and how you evaluate options under pressure.

10. How do you assess whether someone is a good fit for your team during the hiring process?

• Purpose: This assesses your approach to recruiting and hiring, and how well you understand the qualities and skills that contribute to team success.

 

These questions will give you insight into how an employer can access technical competencies, leadership style, and how you might approach problem-solving and team management. They’re designed to facilitate in-depth conversations and allow you to demonstrate their skills and thought processes.