Management Interview Questions & Answers

First step was a 45 minute phone interview. This was informal, but did include several competency based questions. These included: 3 things learned about Enterprise during your research, describe yourself, why you want the job etc. Was told at end of phone call that I had progressed onto the next stage, which was the branch interview.

Branch visit was a very beneficial experience. Consisted of an informal interview based on importance of customer service and past sales experience. Around 20 minutes of interview, then over an hour of touring the branch, observing employees operating within the branch, as well as going out on deliveries or pick-ups with other management trainees. This allows yourself to get a good feel for the job and the day-to-day activities that you will be partaking in.

Most difficult question was to give an example of when you've made a management decision that you were not comfortable making?

Make sure to know a lot about the company and what they expect from their employees. Their careers website provide their desired competencies, and it helps to know what they are so you can relate your interview questions to them.

Assessment centre lasted from 9am to 4pm, with a lot of waiting around time. First exercise was a logistics exercise whereby you take the role of an assistant manager and have to plan a day at the branch based on info provided. Next was role plays, whereby you have to sell an upgrade and also deal with an angry customer who has damaged the car.

Following lunch, group exercise where you have to argue your case as to why enterprise should invest in your provided charity. Finally was an interview. No competency based questions were asked, it was basically just to give feedback on the day and describe the job in more detail.

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

The full recruitment process involves answering numerous application questions, attending a centre interview, and then attending a full assessment day at the Head Office in Guildford. The centre interview involves being shown around one of your selected centres, and then being interviewed by two current directors. The interview is quite long and involves scenario questions, as well as competency questions. You are then observed tutoring the children for around 20-30 minutes. If you are successful, you are invited to their Head Office. This is a full day of assessments with around 13 other candidates, including a marketing presentation, a role play, a maths/english assessment, an interview, lunch at Zizzi's with the interviewers, and a group task with a presentation.

We were given scenario questions and asked what we would do in certain situations, many of which we may not have encountered before.

Ensure that you are very interactive with the children during your centre interview - don't be afraid to get stuck in as if you are their tutor. The key is to build a rapport with the children in the zones you are assigned to. Be enthusiastic and make sure you know a lot about the company, and are prepared to think on your feet on be creative on the assessment day.

Aside from interviews, we also had tasks that required confidence and thinking on our feet. One of these was all having to write a word on a piece of paper, putting them all into a bowl, and then picking one of the pieces of paper and immediately talking non-stop about that word for a minute in front of the group and assessors. We also had a group task to agree on an order of importance for specific items and then presenting our ideas to the assessors, whilst answering their questions about our decisions.

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

At this stage of the process there was no formal interview with one candidate at a time, but there were some individual and group tasks to complete. We were given about ten minutes to do the first individual task before moving on to discuss it in a group of about five people. This stage lasted about 40 minutes, and there were members of staff in the room watching each of us, taking notes on our interaction. They were not able to speak or give guidance during that stage. After that, we were each asked to prepare a presentation individually, then deliver it to one member of staff.

There were no questions asked directly in the normal interview format.

There are several positions available around the country, and Network Rail hires a fresh intake every year so there are always new graduates. It is worth getting to know something about your local rail networks and stations, such as by observing whatever you can about difficulties or potential challenges. This will help you with examples when dealing with some of the questions that are asked.

About 60 graduates were invited to the new Network Rail building in Milton Keynes. We were welcomed very well, and required to do a few assessments. The first was to think about as many solutions as possible to a potential railway problem. Then we had to discuss them in a group and come up with a strategy for solving them. The second half of the day was preparing for and delivering a presentation on one of those issues to one assessor.

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 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.

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.

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