Management Interview Questions & Answers

The initial interview consisted with a telephone interview (30 minutes) with the recruitment agency named Bright Futures, in which a series of competency based questions were asked.

Then candidates (9 were present at my assessment centre but there were 10 at the following centre next week) were invited to an assessment centre two weeks later (expenses paid!), in which the day began with an informal icebreaker exercise which assessed how you worked as a team and a group exercise which tested team work, leadership abilities and negotiation skills.

Each candidate was asked to give a 10 minute presentation on a specific topic in front of two assessors (owner, MD, external HR, bright futures consultant). After this, lunch was provided and current graduates from the company came to have a discussion with us about their role within the company. We were allocated 45 minutes for lunch.

Then Simon from Bright Futures invited 4 of us to a smaller room and left 5 outside. 4 were told they had gotten through to the interview stage and 5 were sent home. Interviews consisted of competency based questions as well as some personality questions to gauge you as a person (35 minutes). Candidates were then sent home and given feedback via telephone.

Business is essentially full of deals. Describe a deal you have made in your personal or professional life, and explain what makes a good deal in business.

Prepare properly for your presentation and interview, it doesn't hurt to prepare handouts and get a real indepth knowledge of the company.
Do not be put off by the amount of people at an assessment centre, everyone will go through if they are good enough.
Leave with no regrets.

Ice breaker exercise in groups of 3, Group Exercise in groups of 3, individual presentations, individual interviews.

First I sent away my application online, and then found out I had an online assessment to complete, composed of 3 elements: numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and logic. Then a couple of days later I found out I had got through to the next stage which was an e-tray exercise. This was a system simulating an email inbox with emails coming in, and I had to prioritise them, using a set of rules given to me. A couple of days later, I had an email telling me I had again been successful and I had 3 days to complete a video interview. It was my first time doing a video interview so it was very daunting! I researched Morrisons, the role and matched my skills to the company's values, and made sure I had revised competency questions. The actual video interview was very surreal as all I could see on the screen was the questions and my own picture, but if you just keep calm, don't waffle on, and seem confident and show a bit of your own personality, you'll do great.

In the video interview, I had a couple of situation-based questions which are fine if you keep in the mindset of a manager. I then had one asking why I wanted to work for Morrisons, which again is fine if you've fully researched the company.

Always be very confident, friendly, make your personality shine through. Show your passion and how hard-working you are and you will not go far wrong.

I was very nervous but I was only with 6 other candidates who were all really nice, and the 4 senior management panel and 2 graduate resourcing team were also friendly. We had an icebreaker, then preparation for a presentation. We then delivered our presentations individually, infront of 2 members of Morrisons and two other candidates. After this, we had our one-on-one interviews with a member of the senior management team. For this interview, I recommend matching your skills with the company's value, and having examples to back up your claims. If these are well-rehearsed and concise, and you are able to convey them confidently, then I have no doubt you will do well. We then had an in-tray exercise where we had to prioritise the work of a trainee manager on a piece of paper, and articulate why. Lastly, we had a group exercise where we had to decide out of a group of 12 people on a sinking boat, who we would save, arguing our points among us, then delivering a short presentation to the team. In this, it is essential you take a leading role from the very beginning, including everyone, not simply dictating.

I had a brief telephone interview to discuss what the role was and I was asked questions about my education as stated on my CV. I was also asked why I was interested in the scheme and my motivations to have a role in management, and more specifically in the care industry itself (as that is the primary focus of CCS).

Why the care industry? What do you want out of the scheme?

Ask questions in the Q&A sessions. They have time for lots of questions so ask anything. Don't worry about bringing your CV because they will have a copy on the desk. Don't panic, the day was relaxed, although smart. Lunch was nice, so get there quick!

The assessment day was inefficient. Firstly, I was only invited to attend the week before, leaving me little time to request time of work and plan my travel arrangements (which we were to receive no re-imbursement for). We were required to be there at 9am for a 9:30 start. The email I received about the day detailed we would all have group activities and our presentation until lunch at 12/12:30. I was told, after lunch some people would be invited to stay for the afternoon session, which was to involve a panel interview. On the day, we started and "ice breaker" where everyone had to stand at the front and introduce themselves with their name, where they live, their university and degree subject/s and their proudest non-academic achievement. After that were presentations from 2 employees of CCS, a graduate already on the scheme and the CEO. These were also question and answer sessions. After this, we completed a 10 minute group activity in groups of approximately 10 people (5 mins alone, 5 mins group discussion) while they wandered around making notes. We were provided with lunch at 12:30. After about an hour, were told that one group would be invited to do their presentations first so the other groups were free to "go for a walk" for an hour. I was in this first group so I gave my 3 minute presentation, was asked one question by the panel of 4 (all men). My group were eventually dismissed at approximately 2pm with the promise of a response the following day of whether we were being invited to the interview at a different location on a different date. I was disappointed in my 14 minutes of activity for the day and that my expectations of the timetable of the day weren't met.

The first part of the interview was over the phone, it was a getting to know you and go through my CV and what position was I was in. As I was successful in the first part, the second half was meant to be at a group interview but due to not been able to attend they were able to get me in the day after to have a one to one interview with the store manager. I got an email a day later asking me to come back to talk to other department managers which were interviewing me to see if I would fit the role right and that I have managerial traits, energy and team work ethics.

Where do you want to be in 5 years time and what results would you do to get there?

The only practical advice is to have a little structure when it comes to the third interview with the two department managers, even though I did like how to relax it was, it was just a little nerving when I knew there wouldn't be a structure

the assesment on how i would fit in to decathlon was great and a good experience

First part of the process was a phone interview where they asked things like tell me about yourself, why do you want to work for the company? Why hotel management etc.
Then invited to assessment centre which included a case study, one on one interview, presentation and group exercise.
One on one interview which was competency based.
Around an hour long with 6 questions such as describe a time when you implemented a new idea.

Describe a time when you improved efficiency. What happened and what was the response?

Be yourself and study up on the company before you go, put in info about them at every opportunity you get, there were many internal candidates when I went so it's important not to be at too great a disadvantage.
All assessors were very approachable so I would suggest having a few questions ready to ask so you look interested.

Case study - given one hour in exam conditions to read through a case study and prepare a 15 min presentation including a SWOT analysis.
One on one interview - one hour long with 6 competency based as.
Presentation - given 20 minutes to read through some info on some technology that they are thinking about investing in and you then present your recommendations.
Group exercise - given information on 3 different strategies to improve sales and must decide as a group the best option.

After my initial online application, I had to complete 5 competency questions.
I then was contacted to say I had been successful and moved on to the online testing stage which was completing a Watson Glaser Critical Thinking test. After research, I found out that this test was most often used with law job applications and after a couple of practice tests online (I highly recommend this!), I was ready to sit the real one. It wasn't half as difficult as I thought it was going to be, my advice would be to not look too far into the scenarios and questions given, to remain calm and to write down any information they give you at the start.

I haven't had a one-to-one interview yet as that is in the second assessment centre.

The one-in-one interview is in the second assessment centre so I haven't been to that because I haven't found out if I was successful in the first one yet, but my advice for the day, especially for the group exercise is just to be vocal in your opinions, aswell as being understanding of the other people in the group, and always acknowledge their opinions and ensure that what is asked of you in the exercise is completed. Even if you are nervous, which I was, don't let that show and remember that this is the first time they are all meeting you so they will not have any preconceptions of you, just remain calm.

After completing the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking test, I found out I had made it to the third stage of the appplication - the first assessment centre. This assessment centre was made up of an in-tray written exercise and a group exercise. Although you don't have to do any prior research directly relating to the exercises, I recommend doing thorough research of the NHS in Wales, its structure, its core values and visions, and its history, just so you have a good basic understanding of the job and its background. Upon arriving at the assessment centre, I sat with the 8 other candidates who were there for about twenty minutes before being split into two groups. Our group were doing the group exercise first so were led into a room with 4 examiners. We were given a brief and a pack of emails, graphs and the like and were told that we were having a meeting regarding a certain healthcare problem for a fictional healthboard and we were to summarise the key points and problems to be tackled by looking through the material provided. This lasted around an hour. After this, we were left by ourselves for about half an hour, then asked to go into a another room where we were to complete the in-tray/written exercise on an individual computer. We were given a pack of around 20 pages of newspaper articles, statistics, graphs and emails and were to summarise the key points in a table of social, economic, political and technological value and then analyse them and put forward views to be discussed in a further meeting, all this fictional.

Initially I completed an online application which is very straightforward.

Afterwards I then received an email regarding arrangements for a phone-call interview with the recruitment officer. The phone call consisted of mainly competency based questions all focused on the company's core values. As well as a bit of a background about yourself and why you would like to work for the company and what you already know and can bring to Enterprise. They are looking for individuals who have the ability and experience to be able to manage a branch further along the line. It is essential that you have the experience and personality to become leaders and have leadership qualities. As well as customer service and sales questions. Mainly based on your experience within your previous jobs or university for example. Therefore I'd recommend you do your research on the company and why you chose this role as well as what you could bring to the company. I then received an email stating that I passed that stage and the next stage was a face to face interview with the recruitment officer (same person who I had the telephone interview with)

The third stage was the interview with the recruitment officer at the head office. This was around a 45 minute interview consisting of more competency based questions. Very situational questions whereby you had to give an example of where you showed a particular competency ( leadership/flexibility/excellent customer service/work ethic/communication). Very similar to the questions asked in the second stage. I then received my offer to the next stage via email which was the visit to the branch.

The fourth stage was the branch visit followed by a one to one interview with the branch manager. The branch visit lasted 3 hours, the first two hours I was shadowing one of the employees. This stage you really got a feel of what a day is like at Enterprise. It is very fast paste, the staff there were all really friendly and i was welcome to ask questions whenever I wanted. I went out with one of the employees to deliver cars whereby I got a feel of talking to customers who I was delivering the cars to as well as was able to ask questions and was provided with a lot of information. I'd advise you to ask a lot of questions you may have at this stage about the general routine of the day at what it is actually like at the branch from an employee's perspective. The last 45 minutes then consisted of an interview with the branch manager. This again is identical to the previous interviews, whereby you are asked competency based questions and what made you pick Enterprise. This is stage where many people decide they actually would want to work here as you are told from the start it is a very fast paced job, long working hours 50+ but is a great opportunity for you to progress internally within the company. Everybody starts off as a Management Trainee which was is really nice because everyone you meet at the company has started off in the position you are. The branch manager told me then and there that he was happy to put me through to the next stage which was the assessment centre.

Fifth stage was the assessment centre (wrote about below)

The most difficult question I had to answer would be " After visiting the branch, what was one thing about Enterprise that you didn't like?"

I would definitely advise you to be yourself is my most important advice. During the assessment centre, you are NOT competing with the other candidates for the same location. They are simply testing you on how you work with others.

Do your research on the company and make the most out of the branch visit to know whether you are up for this role. They are explicit from the very start that you need to be flexible with your working hours because it isn't like your normal working job. You can be working 55+ a week. It is also a very fast past job where every day is different.

Use your experience to your advantage. All the questions are based on your previous experience and your knowledge in how you would deal with situations based on the core competencies so go over the competencies and think of answers you could come up .

I arrived at the head office for the assessment centre at 8:45am and met the other candidates in the waiting room (there were 11 of us) so got to talk and get to know them. We were then taken into the meeting room whereby we had a short presentation about the company and what was expected off us. We then met all of the area managers and had an icebreaker whereby we had to stand up introduce ourself, tell them a fun fact about yourself and what we could bring to the company.

We were then split into two groups. My first exercise was role play based exercise where we was given two scenarios, we had 10 minutes to prepare our answers individually and then we had to sit in one to one with an area manager whereby they were acting as the customer and you was the branch manager. The first scenario was a customer service based on whereby the question was " You've overheard a phone call that a conversation whereby a customer is returning a car and is not happy with the rental at all. You then as the branch manager have to prepare a conversation with this customer upon their arrival ". With this question I would be apologetic with the customer and to make sure that they are happy leaving the branch. I was a little confused as to whether I was able to make the decision regarding altering the payment that had to be originally paid. However, during my feedback I was then told that the reputation of the brand was very important and that you are able to disregard them paying for a for the rental (if a reasonable amount) to ensure that they leave happy (this is essential). This question is testing your customer service skills and how you likely to be in a situation like that ( the manager will not hold back with how unhappy he is as the customer, so be prepared). The second question was a sales based whereby a customer has come in to collect a Group A car and you had to try and upgrade them to a Group B car for £10 extra per day. I received some good on this question. So I personally got speaking to the customer about why there were renting the car and fitted a group B car to their experience and why a group B car would be beneficial rather than a group A . Talking about more space, built in sat nav, bigger boot space for luggage, bigger engine size etc. However, the customer did not want to pay an extra £10 per day as they thought it would be too much. Therefore, making the customer feel as if they are getting a good deal by lowering the price is something you could do, to make the customer feel special and this would be beneficial to you as the employee as well in terms of commission. My advice would be to be enthusiastic, they are not expecting to you know the details of these cars in terms of the features but are just looking for general pointers of you as an individual.

The next exercise was a group discussion whereby you were split into groups of about 6 people and given some information about cities and marketing expenses. you then had to discuss as a team which place you thought was be best to open an Enterprise branch. based on the information you were given you had to say why you thought this place would be a good place and the opportunities that were available in this place. You then as a group had to present this to the areas managers and explain how much you had spent. I would recommend to be quite vocal in this activity but not too much. Show that you do have some good ideas however listen to the other people in your group as well. The managers are looking for a little bit of leadership in this activity as well as good communication skills.

The next activity was a day in the life of task as a branch manager. You was given about 30 minutes then once you'd made the schedule you had to present it to the manager and justify it, along with get asked questions which may indicate flaws that you hadn't thought of in the plan. you had to plan the schedule of two employees and you was given other information on emails regarding some maths questions and an employees not being able to turn up to work. As well as customers who had to be picked up at certain times and you had to schedule these pick ups for different customers taking into consideration how long it would take to get to the customer and back before picking up another. Then you had to present it to an actual manager and justify why you had planned this schedule in the way you had. I actually did a part of this question wrong in which I found out when the manager had told me. So my advice is to make you read ALL parts of the information provided and make sure you know exactly what you are doing.

The final stage was a one to one interview with an area manager. They firstly asked about how you found the experience at the branch visit and the assessment centre in general. Followed by again a lot of competency based questions (very similar to the previous interview questions). They also asked if you was flexible to move locations which is again one of the core competencies of the company. So for me they asked me if i willing to relocate to the airport if they needed me to.

The interview was focused on discovering if I was a good fit for the company, and whether my values matched Decathlon's values, rather than my prior experience and skill set. Both managers were very friendly yet professional and created a comfortable environment for me to be able to present myself.

Describe a time when you have tried and failed at something. Explain what you have learnt from the process.

Research and explore what the company looks for in their staff members before you apply or attend the interview, as they prefer to recruit the right types of people rather than those with the most experience.
Be prepared to back up claims about yourself with examples.

Group activities and presentation