Prepare for your Supervisor 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 understand your leadership skills and how you’ve used them in the past. Use examples from previous roles to highlight your communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Answer Example: "In my last position as a supervisor, I led a team of five employees who were responsible for creating marketing campaigns for our company’s clients. We met once a week to discuss our progress and any challenges we were facing. During these meetings, I encouraged open dialogue so everyone could share their ideas and opinions. This allowed us to come up with solutions together rather than just me making decisions."
This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed to be a successful supervisor. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list several qualities and explain why they are important for supervisors.
Answer Example: "I believe the most important quality of a good supervisor is their ability to communicate effectively with their team members. A supervisor needs to be able to give clear directions, provide feedback and answer questions from their employees. Another important quality is being organized, as a supervisor needs to be able to manage their time well so they can complete all their responsibilities. Finally, I think it’s essential for a supervisor to be empathetic and understanding of their employees’ needs and concerns."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would use your leadership skills to motivate your team members and help them improve their performance. Use examples from past experiences where you helped team members develop their skills or learn new processes, and explain how their performance improved as a result.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a supervisor, I had a team member who was not meeting deadlines on projects. They were always late with their work and it was affecting the rest of the team’s productivity. I met with them privately to discuss the issue and found out that they were having personal issues at home that were causing them to be late with their work. I gave them more responsibility within the company so they would have more motivation to complete their tasks on time."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you are comfortable giving feedback and how you might do so. Your answer should show that you are willing to give constructive feedback when necessary, but also that you know how to do so in a positive way.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am comfortable giving constructive feedback to my team members. I believe that feedback is an important part of growth and development, so I try to provide positive feedback whenever possible. However, I also understand that sometimes feedback needs to be more direct and specific in order to be effective. In those situations, I make sure to be respectful and honest with my team members so that they know exactly what they need to work on."
Supervisors need to be able to motivate their team members. Employers ask this question to see if you have some strategies you can use in the workplace. Use your answer to share two or three ways that you motivate your team members. Explain why these strategies work for you and your team members.
Answer Example: "I find that giving praise and recognition are two of the best ways to motivate my team members. When someone does an excellent job, I make sure to let them know. This helps them feel appreciated and encouraged to keep up the good work. In addition to praise, I also give out incentives from time to time. For example, if a team member hits their sales target, I’ll give them a small gift card or voucher."
Supervisors often need to resolve conflicts between their team members. Employers ask this question to learn how you will handle these situations. In your answer, explain what steps you take to help team members resolve their disagreements. Explain that you are willing to listen to both sides of the argument and help them find a compromise.
Answer Example: "I believe that resolving team disputes and arguments is an important part of being a supervisor. I find that the best way to handle these situations is by having an open dialogue with all involved parties. I believe that by having a constructive conversation, we can work through our differences and come to an agreement that works for everyone."
Training new supervisors is an important part of being a supervisor. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are willing to take on this responsibility. Your answer should show that you are willing to help others learn and grow in their roles. You can also mention that you are available to answer questions from other supervisors who may need assistance.
Answer Example: "Absolutely. I believe it’s important for all supervisors to be familiar with the company’s policies and procedures. I’m happy to train new supervisors on what they need to know to do their jobs well. I also think it’s important for experienced supervisors to be available to answer questions about the policies and procedures."
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you possess the skills and abilities needed to be an effective supervisor. You can answer this question by listing some of the most important qualities, such as leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
Answer Example: "I believe that a supervisor should have strong leadership skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with their team members. I have experience in both of these areas, having led several projects in my previous role as a supervisor. I also think it’s important for a supervisor to be able to solve problems quickly and efficiently, so I always try to think outside the box when faced with an issue."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would use your leadership skills to help your team members improve their work. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped employees improve their performance or meet company standards.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a supervisor, I had a team member who was not meeting deadlines on projects. This caused delays in our overall project timeline, so I met with him to discuss his lack of productivity. We created a plan together where he would work extra hours each week to make up for the behind schedule work. He also received training on time management techniques to help him meet deadlines in the future."
Supervisors often need to give their team members feedback on their performance. Employers ask this question to make sure you have a process in place for giving constructive feedback that helps employees improve their work. In your answer, explain how you would give feedback to a new hire who made a few mistakes on their first project.
Answer Example: "I believe that giving constructive feedback is an important part of a supervisor’s role. I try to give feedback as soon as possible after I notice a problem so that the employee can work on fixing it. I also make sure to give specific examples of what they did wrong so they know what they need to change. Finally, I always end my feedback with some positive comments about their overall performance."
Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and how you handle conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to focus on the specific actions you took to resolve the situation.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a customer service supervisor, I had a customer who was extremely angry about the product they received. They were rude and insulting, and they threatened to take their business elsewhere if we didn’t give them what they wanted. I listened to their concerns and then talked with our production team to ensure they could meet the customer’s needs. In the end, we were able to give the customer what they wanted without losing their business."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan to use your time as a new supervisor. Your answer should include a list of tasks that are important for a new supervisor to complete during their first few weeks on the job.
Answer Example: "My top priority during my first few weeks as a supervisor would be to get to know my team members. I believe it’s important for supervisors to build relationships with their employees so they can better understand their needs and goals. I would also use this time to learn more about the company’s mission and goals so I can help my team achieve them. Finally, I would spend some time learning about the software programs we use and how to use them effectively."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to confront coworkers when necessary, but also that you have a supportive and respectful approach to leadership.
Answer Example: "If I noticed a team member was not following company policies or procedures, my first step would be to have a private conversation with them. I would explain the issue and give them an opportunity to explain their side of things. If they were aware of the problem but unable or unwilling to change their behavior, I would help them find solutions or provide guidance on how to do so."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle giving feedback to your employees. Show that you are comfortable giving constructive criticism by explaining what steps you take to make sure your employees understand what they need to do differently or better.
Answer Example: "I am comfortable giving constructive criticism to my employees because I believe in being honest and direct with them. I try to give feedback in a way that makes them feel comfortable receiving it and allows them to ask questions if they have any. I also make sure to provide examples of what they’re doing well so they know that I don’t just want to focus on the negative."
Supervisors often need to motivate their team members. Employers ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you can help their employees be more productive. In your answer, share two or three strategies you use to motivate your team. Explain why these strategies are effective.
Answer Example: "I find that giving praise and recognition are two of the best ways to motivate my team. When someone does something well, I make sure to let them know. I also give out rewards or incentives for reaching goals or completing projects. Another strategy I use is giving feedback. I make sure to give my team members feedback on their performance regularly so they can improve."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you will handle challenging situations. Use your answer to highlight your ability to provide feedback, develop plans of action and hold employees accountable for their performance.
Answer Example: "I believe in being honest and direct with employees who are not meeting expectations. I find that providing regular feedback and setting clear goals and objectives are two of the best ways to help employees improve their performance. In my last role as supervisor, I had an employee who was consistently late to work. After discussing the issue with them several times, I decided to give them a written warning. This helped them understand the importance of being on time and motivated them to change their behavior."
Hiring and training new employees is a key part of being a supervisor. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with these processes and how you feel about them. Use your answer to highlight any skills or traits that helped you successfully hire and train new employees in the past.
Answer Example: "I have extensive experience hiring and training new employees. In my last position as a manager at a software company, I was responsible for hiring all new employees. I would interview potential hires, conduct background checks and ensure they had the necessary skills and experience to succeed in their roles. Once they were hired, I would train them on their responsibilities, provide guidance and support as they learned the ropes, and ensure they were comfortable with their duties."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether you have experience managing employees. Use examples from your past that show you can be a strong leader, while also respecting the opinions of others.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a supervisor, one of my employees was consistently late to work. This was a major problem because it affected the entire department’s productivity. I met with the employee to discuss the issue and offered advice on how they could improve their punctuality. After several meetings, the employee began arriving on time."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you prefer to receive feedback from your employees. Your answer should show that you value their opinions and are open to hearing what they have to say.
Answer Example: "I believe it’s important for supervisors to create an environment where employees feel comfortable approaching them with concerns. I prefer that employees come to me directly with any issues they have, as I feel this is the best way to resolve any problems quickly. If an employee has a problem, I want them to feel like they can come to me without fear of retribution."
This question can help interviewers understand how you might handle conflict in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight your ability to mediate between employees, encourage communication and promote teamwork.
Answer Example: "If I noticed two employees were not getting along, I would first try to find out what was causing the tension. If it was something simple, like one person taking too long in the break room, I would talk to both employees separately to see if we could come up with a solution. If the issue was more complex, like one person feeling marginalized by the other, I would bring them both into my office to have a calm discussion about how to resolve the problem."
