Management Interview Questions & Answers

The interview was conducted by a Manager who was previously a Graduate trainee and a HR officer. The Manager did most of the talking whilst the HR Officer made some notes. The questions started off fairly simple, what do you know about National Express. Then when they got into the competency based questions, they were predominantly based on teamwork, organisation and project management. One thing I noticed was that the questions are very similar to each other. I found that I had answered the questions in previous questions. They are pretty much what is expected: why do you want to work for us, name a time when you got someone to share your thoughts, name a time when you persuaded someone to follow your views etc etc. It was a fairly laidback interview. It was more of a conversation, the interviewer was engaging in dialogue when I responded.

Name a time when you've gone above and beyond the call of duty?

When compiling the presentation, make sure you know what you are talking about and then make sure you know what you are talking about. Relax and enjoy the day, make the most of the resources. There are a lot of exec members there on the days, as well as current and previous graduates. Use them and their knowledge!

the day was staggered for each of us, at different points of the day we were taken to do different things. The day started off with an introduction from the one of the Exec Team, briefing us for the day and National Express. The group task was essentially a situation based case study, we had 15mins individual time to read the case study, then 30 mins to discuss as a group and reach a conclusion with 10mins to feedback.

We had to give a 15 min presentation on the pre-allocated topic that was highlighted in the invite email.

The first stage of the Honda Graduate Programme is to send your CV and cover letter. This should be tailored to the programme. The first things they ask you are to name two traits about yourself that you believe would make you a good candidate for the role.

Once you pass the initial stages (there was no online testing)you will receive a telephone interview. This lasted about 30 minutes. It was not a typical phone interview asking about your skills - it was more about explaining what the role would entail and what you would put into the role. They make it clear from the start that this is not really a Learning and Development programme, but is a real job from the first day. It is hard to mess up the telephone stage. They will invite you to an initial assessment centre. The new Head Office is in Bracknell, Berkshire where they will carry out interviews - this is also where you would work if successful. This consisted of 8 candidates and two assessors. You were first asked to do a short five minute presentation. Then, you would be presented with a case study and asked to resolve issues as a group. The key things to look out for are listening to others, remembering people's names, having intuitive ideas and ensuring that you answer the question given.

The next stage of the first assessment centre is a number of computer-based exercises. You will have to compose an email to a customer, use excel to analyse data and prioritise business scenarios and explain your answers.

If successful at this half day assessment centre, you will be invited back to a final assessment centre which will involve senior management. You will have to present to them and be interviewed more formally. This assessment centre is much more serious than the first one and is all day as opposed to half a day. This will be approximately 6 weeks after the first one.

I was asked if I fully understood the structure of the organisation, which I didn't as the organisation has so many different elements. It is crucial to carry out thorough research into this. Everything else was reasonably standard.

The emails I received from the company were riddled with spelling and grammatical errors. They spent far too long responding between different parts of the process - by the time they got back to me I had already been offered a different job.
The role seemed to be very hands on, whereas I would personally prefer a more integrative process where you learn along the way.
One tip is not to just apply if you are interested in cars because you need to have intuitive business accumin in order to do well in the exercises. You can do well if you come from any academic background, as long as you have taken part in a variety of extra curricular activities and demonstrated your ability to lead teams.

We started with an individual pre-prepared presentation about a proud achievement. This lasted five minutes. We then were given a case-study about the organisation and were asked to resolve issues, which we were given half an hour to discuss and formulate a solution.
We then carried out computer-based exercises for two hours which involved prioritising tasks, organising data on excel and creating charts, and writing an email to a customer. We also had to make a powerpoint presentation in which we would analyse a particular scenario with a client and the potential risks to the company if the issue was not resolved. This tests your awareness.

The entire process was well communicated to all of the candidates from beginning to the end. I was very aware of where I stand, what was expected of me and details information about the company.

The telephone interview was simply competency questions and very informal. Once you passed this stage, you had a day spent at your local branch shadowing the staff to see first hand what the role involved which was very interesting. You then had a one to one informal chat with the branch manager.

The most difficult question was adapting yourself into the company's core values and explaining how as an individual you had some of these core values.

Be yourself, they want people who are genuine, leaders and team players. Being a leader is what the role involves but being a team player also plays a big role in the type of candidate they are looking for.

At the assessment day, ensure to make yourself noticeable and be vocial enough and take part in all of the activities.

A variety of different tasks both group and indivdual based all of which included what the role would involve day to day. This was slightly more difficult than expected but it was fun and very different from other companies as you are more engaged with everyone.

Furthermore, an interview with the general managers with a variety of different competency based questions.

My initial interview was with a recruitment staff, who asked me what I know about the company, give example of my strengths and weaknesses and why I will like to work for the company. The next stage was a face to face interview, a little bit informal, but was more of a ice-breaking stage, getting the manager to see if I have what it takes to work for the company. The third stage of the process, was meeting with another manager who based his questions mostly on my work experience, trying to identify what skills I have and where I can apply it within the company. The final stage of the interview was with the sales director, whose questions where mainly based upon my personality, work experience and general view of the business, trying to identify how I would perform in such role, given my skills set.

What frustrates you most in life?

Read about the company, be honest and show the employer why you think Hilti is the best company to work, Always use the STAR technique when asked a scenario question, do not be shy to let your personality come across, all through the process.

I was asked to give an example of a perfect sale, where the customer has an objection to the price of the product.

After filling in a straight forward application form online, I was called by a women from the recruitment team and had a 15-20 minute phone interview which was not too testing.

This basically was a chance for me to give example of previous experience which I could relate back to this job role. So I was asked questions about my CV such as 'Why did you chose your degree?' and other customer service based questions. This was not difficult and I was also told about the application process and what it would entail.

After the phone interview I received an email inviting me to a face to face interview which would last about 30-40 mins and would be full of competency based questions - most of these were customer service based, sales related, team work related etc. I was also asked if i had any questions for her (so definitely ask some). The whole process is well explained and once I had arrived home I had already been asked to attend a branch visit. This is the next step and lasted for 2 hours.

I went to my local branch and shadowed a worker there... she showed me around the branch and explained what goes on there on a regular day. It was good to see where i could be potentially working and what i would would be doing! After this i had another 20-30 minute interview with the branch manager which was very similar to my first face-to-face interview (similar competency questions). A few hours later i received the call to invite me back to the assessment centre which i now have in a few weeks time!

"Describe a time you had to change your priorities."

Make sure that you have rehearsed some answers to competency questions surrounding team work, customer service and sales.
Show passion towards to company and a willingness to learn within the ranks.
On activities such as the branch visit, get involved with everyone and don't be shy! everyone was so friendly and really interested in me and what i was doing so that made it a lot easier for me!
Ask as many questions as you can and show real interest

Although I have not yet attended the assessment centre I have been told that it will include...group activities, role plays and another one to one interview with the area manager...

This is a whole day process with a 24 hour turn around on the decision.

The interview consisted of 10 questions. I was given 30 seconds to prepare an answer for each, and had a time limit of either 30 or 60 seconds to answer. A lot of the questions were ones that I had previously viewed on here. They start by asking your name and what region is your first choice. They then ask where you live, about your degree and what you’re currently doing. They ask why you want to apply to Aldi. What are your short, medium and long term goals and expectations during the scheme. Why you are a good candidate for the role. They ask you to describe something ambitious that you have achieved and how. How you have set yourself high standards and how you achieved this. Something interesting that you found out about Aldi.

Before the interview, you are given help videos, advice and a practice question. Make sure you have some answers prepared as it’s very challenging to think on the spot so quickly! Also have a pen and paper handy to jot down ideas.

Explain a situation where you set yourself high standards. How did you achieve this?

Do your research and make sure you’re prepared as the videos are very fast and don’t allow much time to plan an answer. The recruitment stages are very fast, I have found out whether I was successful during each stage within a few days, so be prepared to make time for assessments as you’re only given 5days to complete it before the link expires.

Have not got to that stage yet.

The company policies are well describe, it's dynamic interview with different type of questions, with friendly approach that make you feel comfortable during the process, the interview is tailored to the vacancy that needs fulfilling.
The application process is also efficient and you have a quick answer.

Which are the main reasons that made you apply to work for Decathlon?

I'd like to see group interviews as part of the interview process. It's another way to show some skills and behavior, as for example team work that they can only be explained but not shown with a one to one interview.

Organised

It was a test online to get through to the assessment centre then once passed there were various tasks on the assessment day. Only about 9 people on my course started with a quick presentation and then given two booklets one for answering the other with scenarios.
The booklet had rota questions numerical questions, personality questions, competency questions and customer care questions. The task was to prioritise and only do so many tasks that were required.
Then everybody took turns in different scenarios, one was like an interview on to one and then a role play with customers and then a team task.

The numerical questions and the rota questions, if you haven't done Rita's for a large number before. You had to be quick and think of boots expectations constantly.

Be prepared and know about boots and be really really critical of their stores when going in as pre-work to see what you think
I did get offered role as an assistant manager though.

Great day was put off by how many of the guys on my day already worked for boots

My one to one interview consisted of around 10 competency based questions. Each of these questions required me to give reeal life examples of situations e.g. in work or extra cirricular, and how I have acted. They also wanted to know the outcome of each, and how I would act if I had the opportunity again.
The interview was with a company called Cloud9 recruitment, who worked on behalf of Smurfit Kappa. This was the second round of the whole interview process, by which I had already completed a telephone interview with Cloud 9. The format was strictly to these competency based questions, and little attention was paid to other possible questions or conversations. MY CV was also briefly discussed, and my reasons for applying to Smurfit Kappa, as well as a brief company background.

I found the most difficult questions to be generally based around how have you influenced a group? What was the influence? And what was the result?

I found the complexity of this questions quite difficult.

Look to stick out and show that you are not just a robot in your answers. Show a variety of working and social activities as Smurfit are looking for a rounded individual.
Practice psychometric tests before, this is a mistake I made as I didn't think there would be any, so was slightly naive. Show enthusiasm throughout, even though it is a demanding 2 day assessment centre. At the end of it all, be yourself. Dont be something your not. Even if it gets you the job, you will be found out on day 1.

Firstly we received a factory your of the Northampton site of Smurfit Kappa. Then we had to complete numeracy tests, with there being around 7 individual tests, each lasting around minutes.
After this we attended a night meal and met the Smurfit team, and management on different levels. On the next day, we were split into two groups of 5, and completed various tasks. This included group presentations, debates, team building (getting X amount of items out of a production line in the given time) and individual activities with designated preperation time.

It began with a tour of the Explore Learning Centre before sitting down with 2 of the 3 managers and having an interview. The atmosphere was informal, although be sure to dress appropriately. The interview was about 40 mins long, beginning with questions about experience, the part of the job you think you'll succeed in most, and your chance to ask any questions.
Lastly, There's the opportunity to interact with the children and you're observed while doing this.

The role play was most difficult for me. The topic was given the day before (via email) - I had to sell a gym membership. A tip for this is to bring your own material, eg business card, flyer, etc.

The environment is relaxed and informal, it really puts you at ease. Be sure to check Explore Learning's website prior to the interview as some questions are there to nite your preparation for the interview.

After the interview there's an assessment centre, however I did not get through to this.