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Business Manager interview questions and answers

This Business Manager interview profile brings together a snapshot of what to look for in candidates with a balanced sample of suitable interview questions.

Christine Del Castillo
Christine Del Castillo

Former Community Manager at Workable specialized in employee experience, talent brands and our event series, Workable Ideas.

10 good business manager interview questions

  1. How would you describe your leadership style?
  2. Describe a time you led by example.
  3. What’s your approach to delegating employees?
  4. Describe someone you coached or mentored.
  5. Talk about the time you led an important meeting.
  6. Talk about a successful work project involving multiple teams.
  7. Have you ever had to execute a project with a small budget?
  8. Talk about a successful work project.
  9. What changes did you make that resulted in increasing productivity?
  10. Walk us through a typical day at your last position.

Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.

1. How would you describe your leadership style?

This question aims to understand the candidate’s approach to managing teams and how well it aligns with your company culture.

Sample answer:

“I would describe my leadership style as collaborative. I believe in empowering team members by giving them the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.”

2. Describe a time you led by example.

This question seeks to understand how the candidate sets the tone for their team through their own actions.

Sample answer:

“I once took on an extra project to help a team member who was overwhelmed. This showed the team the importance of supporting each other.”

3. What’s your approach to delegating employees?

This question aims to gauge how well the candidate can distribute tasks among team members to ensure project success.

Sample answer:

“I assess the strengths and weaknesses of my team and delegate tasks accordingly. I also make sure to follow up to ensure tasks are completed on time.”

4. Describe someone you coached or mentored.

This question explores the candidate’s ability to develop talent within their team.

Sample answer:

“I mentored a junior team member who was struggling with time management. After our sessions, they were able to meet deadlines consistently.”

5. Talk about the time you led an important meeting.

This question aims to understand the candidate’s ability to lead and manage discussions effectively.

Sample answer:

“I led a quarterly review where I presented performance metrics and future goals. The meeting helped align everyone’s efforts.”

6. Talk about a successful work project involving multiple teams.

This question seeks to understand how well the candidate can manage complex projects that involve coordination between different departments.

Sample answer:

“I led a project that involved both the marketing and engineering teams. We completed it ahead of schedule and exceeded our goals.”

7. Have you ever had to execute a project with a small budget?

This question aims to gauge the candidate’s resourcefulness and ability to deliver results despite limitations.

Sample answer:

“Yes, I once managed a project with a tight budget. We optimized existing resources and still managed to exceed expectations.”

8. Talk about a successful work project.

This question seeks to understand the candidate’s ability to successfully manage and complete projects.

Sample answer:

“I managed a project to streamline our customer service process, which resulted in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.”

9. What changes did you make that resulted in increasing productivity?

This question aims to gauge the candidate’s ability to identify areas for improvement and implement changes effectively.

Sample answer:

“I implemented a new software tool that automated routine tasks, freeing up team members to focus on more complex issues.”

10. Walk us through a typical day at your last position.

This question seeks to understand how the candidate prioritizes tasks and manages their time.

Sample answer:

“My day usually starts with checking emails and setting priorities. I then have team meetings, followed by project reviews and one-on-ones with team members.”

What does a good business manager candidate look like?

A strong business manager candidate will have a blend of leadership skills, industry knowledge, and a track record of achieving results. They should be able to demonstrate their ability to manage teams, projects, and budgets effectively.



Business Manager Interview Questions

Business Managers are employed by a wide range of industries. This job combines management, strategy, and operations. They are responsible for hiring, training, and managing a group of employees. They’re also responsible for ensuring that everyone has the tools and resources to succeed. At a high level, business owners typically entrust Business Managers with specific aspects of company expansion and market penetration.

It’s worth noting that their mix of responsibilities may differ according to what field or industry they’re in. For example, a business manager in manufacturing may focus mainly on overseeing an entire production floor. In this situation, their role resembles that of a general or operations manager. A business manager in banking may have more sales or business development responsibilities, in addition to ensuring that their team adheres to federal regulations. If your Business Manager has responsibilities that are specific to a field (such as finance or data processing) or industry (such as law, music, or technology), be sure to add your own questions to the list below.

Interpersonal skills are exceptionally important for any leadership position. Asking open-ended and situational questions will help you get a reliable glimpse of their leadership style, so you can hire the right Business Manager for your team.

Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.

Operational and Situational questions

  • How would you describe your leadership style?
  • Describe a time you led by example.
  • What’s your approach to delegating employees? How do you ensure that tasks are carried out to completion?
  • Describe someone you coached or mentored. What were they doing initially, and what are they doing now?
  • Talk about the time you led an important meeting.
  • Talk about a successful work project involving multiple teams. What was your role in facilitating the project? What was the result?
  • Have you ever had to execute a project with a small budget, or a lack of resources? How did you address these issues?
  • Talk about a successful work project. What was your goal? What was the result?
  • What changes did you make that resulted in increasing productivity, improving efficiency, or lowering costs?
  • Walk us through a typical day at your last position. How do you prioritize your tasks?
  • What are some industry trends that have an impact on your role as a manager?
  • What did you learn about our company in your research? Why do you think you are a strong fit for this role?

Frequently asked questions

Ready to fine-tune this interview kit?
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