Job Interview Questions and Answers for Managers
Question 79: What experiences have influenced your management style?
Tell the interviewer about a past experience or two that influenced the way you manage. Sample answer: "When I was an entry level manager at Acme, there was an extremely abrasive and rude executive who had thoroughly intimidated his employees, and they in turn couldn't stand him. As a result, employee turnover was around 80 percent. The company spent a fortune hiring and firing new sales and marketing professionals, who were unmotivated to do a good job and lasted maybe a year before they became fed up with the tyrannical boss and resigned. As a result, our branch office was the lowest performing division in the country and I don't think the people at corporate headquarters ever understood why. This experience taught me that one must be approachable and listen to subordinates in order to be an effective manager. When I left Acme, and became CEO of XYZ Industries, I made sure that the sales and marketing staff were well trained and motivated, and felt free to come to me with their problems and suggestions. As a result, my division was ranked in the top 10 percent each year that I was CEO and employee turnover was extremely low."
