Prepare for your Partner Manager interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience leading a team of people. If you have previous experience managing a team, share some examples of how you helped them achieve their goals and objectives. If you don’t have any experience managing a team, consider discussing how you would feel about doing so in this role.
Answer Example: "Absolutely. I am comfortable managing a team of people because I have done so in previous roles. In my last position as partner manager, I was responsible for managing a team of five people. We worked together to create goals and objectives for each client we served. We also met regularly to discuss our progress and any issues we were facing. By communicating regularly with my team, I was able to ensure we were all on the same page."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for partner managers and explain why they are important.
Answer Example: "I believe the most important skills for a partner manager are communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution. As a partner manager, I would be working with multiple teams and individuals, so these skills are essential for me to be able to communicate effectively with everyone. I also think problem-solving and conflict resolution skills are important because they help me solve problems quickly and effectively."
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle conflict in the workplace. Use examples from past experiences where you helped two team members work through their differences and achieve a resolution.
Answer Example: "In my last role, two of my team members were not getting along because they had different opinions on how to complete a project. I met with both of them separately to discuss their concerns and come up with solutions. After discussing their issues, we decided that one person would complete the project using their method while the other person would complete it using their method. This allowed both team members to feel like they were heard while also allowing us to meet our deadline."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you evaluate your team members’ performance and determine whether they deserve a raise or promotion. Your answer should include steps that you take to ensure that everyone on your team is performing well, including yourself.
Answer Example: "I start by reviewing each team member’s goals and objectives for the year. I then ask them how they’re doing compared to those goals and what they plan to do to achieve them. I also ask them what they think they’re doing well and where they could improve. This helps me get an idea of what they expect from themselves and allows me to provide feedback on areas where they can improve."
This question can help the interviewer understand your negotiation skills and how you might use them in this role. Use examples from previous work experiences where you successfully negotiated contracts or agreements with other companies or clients.
Answer Example: "In my last role as partner manager, I had to negotiate a contract with a new client who was looking for an agency like ours to create their new website. The client wanted us to create their website within a specific budget, but they also wanted certain features on the site that would cost more money. We worked together to come up with a plan that would allow us to create the website within their budget while also providing the features they wanted."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you support your team members and collaborate with them. Use examples from past experiences where you helped colleagues with their workload or provided them with guidance on how to complete tasks more efficiently.
Answer Example: "If one of my team members was struggling with their workload, I would first try to determine what was causing the issue. If it was due to lack of knowledge or skills, I would provide them with resources or training opportunities to help them improve. If the issue was due to a lack of motivation or focus, I would talk with them about their goals and objectives and find ways to help them achieve them."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have experience solving it. Your answer should show that you are willing to intervene when needed, but also that you respect your team members’ ability to solve their own problems.
Answer Example: "If I noticed two team members were not getting along, my first step would be to have a private conversation with each of them separately to learn more about what was going on. I would ask open-ended questions to get them to open up about their feelings and motivations. This step is important because it allows me to get more information without interfering in their relationship."
Partner managers often have a lot on their plates. They are responsible for managing a team, meeting deadlines and ensuring that their clients are happy. Employers ask this question to make sure you have strategies for dealing with stress in the workplace. In your answer, share two or three ways that you manage stress.
Answer Example: "I find that exercise is one of the best ways to relieve stress. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I take a break to go for a walk or do some yoga. Another way I manage stress is by talking to someone. If I’m feeling overwhelmed, I will call a friend or family member to vent. This helps me take a step back and look at the situation from another perspective."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with financial management. Your answer should include a specific example of how you managed a budget in the past, including what the budget was for, how much it was and how you used it wisely.
Answer Example: "In my last role as partner manager, I was responsible for managing our company’s monthly budget. We had a total budget of $100,000 per month, which included all expenses related to advertising, marketing and customer support. I worked with our accounting department to create a detailed plan for how we would spend our budget each month. We also had a quarterly budget of $300,000 that we used to invest in new technologies and hire new employees."
This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your willingness to take on new challenges and grow as a professional. Use examples from your past work experience that highlight your willingness to learn new things, adapt to change and achieve success in challenging situations.
Answer Example: "In my last role as partner manager, I took on the challenge of managing a team of five people. This was my first time managing a team, so I was nervous at first but excited to learn more about how to lead others. After several months of working with my team, I realized that some of them needed more guidance than others. I adjusted my approach to help each person reach their goals."
This question is a great way to see how willing a candidate is to grow within the company. It also shows that you’re ready to take on more responsibility, which can be important for promotion opportunities later on. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific responsibility that you’d like to take on in the future.
Answer Example: "I am always looking for ways to grow as a professional. I believe that taking on new responsibilities is one of the best ways to learn new things and develop skills. I’m always open to learning more about my job and finding ways to improve my performance. If there were opportunities to take on new responsibilities, I would be happy to do so."
Delegating tasks is an important part of being a partner manager. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to delegate effectively and ensure your team members complete their tasks on time. In your answer, explain how you determine which tasks to give to which team members. Explain that you consider each person’s skills and experience when deciding who should do what.
Answer Example: "I start by looking at the overall goal of the project. Then, I break down the task into smaller parts so I can assess which parts each team member should complete. For example, if I’m working on a marketing campaign, I’ll assign writing content to one person, designing graphics to another and so on. I make sure to give everyone something they can handle so we can meet our deadlines."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills or knowledge you have.
Answer Example: "I am passionate about helping businesses grow and develop strong relationships with their clients. I’ve worked with several companies to develop partner programs that increase revenue and customer satisfaction. My most recent project involved creating a new partner program for an e-commerce website. We implemented the program in January 2018 and saw a 10% increase in sales by March."
This question can help the interviewer understand your background and how it relates to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any experience you have that is relevant to the role, such as knowledge of the industry or specific software programs.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked in both the technology and healthcare industries, which has given me a unique perspective on how businesses can best serve their customers. In my current role, I work with a software company that develops applications for both industries. My experience working with both types of companies has allowed me to see the similarities and differences in how they approach customer service."
This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership style and how you view leadership. Your answer should show that you understand what it takes to be a good leader, including communication skills, motivation and empathy.
Answer Example: "I believe that the most important aspect of leadership is being able to communicate clearly with your team. Good leaders are able to clearly express their goals and expectations, as well as listen to their team members’ ideas and concerns. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal."
Partner managers need to give their team members feedback on their work regularly. Employers ask this question to make sure you have a system in place for giving feedback and helping your team improve their performance. In your answer, explain how often you give feedback and what steps you take to make sure it’s constructive.
Answer Example: "I give my team members feedback on their work at least once a week. I find that this is the best frequency because it gives me enough time to notice any improvements or changes in their performance. If I give feedback more than once a week, it can be difficult for them to remember all of the things I’ve told them."
This question is a great way to see how you handle stressful situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you helped your team overcome a challenge or complete a project on time.
Answer Example: "When I encounter a problem with a project, my first reaction is to assess the situation and determine what steps we need to take to fix it. In this case, I would meet with my team members to discuss their individual roles in the project and determine where we can cut back on time. If necessary, I would also ask them to work extra hours or weekends to complete the project by its deadline."
