Marsha Hebert 
Acing a supervisor interview doesn't have to be tough, especially with these expertly crafted answers
Are you applying for supervisor jobs or, better yet, do you have an upcoming interview for a supervisor position? You've come to the right place! Here, you'll find 10 of the most common supervisor interview questions, with sample answers that you can customize with your own experience and achievements.
When you take the time to practice these interview questions for supervisor positions, the task of landing a new role will become less daunting. You'll walk through the interviewer's door with the knowledge, strategies, and confidence you'll need to breeze through the questions they'll ask.
Roll up your sleeves and let's get to work!
Each question is uniquely important
Because of the position that you'll be taking on, the interview questions that will be presented to you are designed to gauge how well you can manage your own performance, plus the performance of others, in alignment with company objectives. Your responses offer insights into your problem-solving skills, communication style, adaptability, and more. Mastering these questions isn't just about providing the "right" answers; it's about demonstrating your competence and fit for the position.
Tailor your responses
While there are common themes among supervisor interview questions, the one-size-fits-all approach doesn't apply here. Every organization has unique requirements, and interviewers seek candidates who can adapt their skills and experiences to align with those needs.
Tailoring your responses is crucial. It involves understanding the specific expectations of the role, the company culture, and the challenges the team faces. Your responses should reflect your understanding of these nuances, showcasing how you can make a real impact.
Common interview questions for supervisors and sample answers
Without further ado, let's get into the meat of this article – the reason you're reading it in the first place – the 10 supervisor interview questions with sample answers that you were promised.
Question 1: What is your greatest strength as a supervisor?
“I have extremely high emotional intelligence. I've found, over the years, that having high EQ helps in a number of situations like providing feedback on performance and connecting with team members who find themselves in emotionally charged situations. Rather than engaging in those emotions and making the situations worse, I employ empathy and understanding to de-escalate in order to establish harmony. Ultimately, the teams I oversee enjoy a sense of belonging and camaraderie and the companies I've worked for felt that through decreased attrition rates.”
Question 2: How would you handle a situation where an employee is not meeting expectations?
“Since I understand that handling underperformance requires a combination of empathy and proactive management, the first thing I would do is to have a private and honest conversation with the employee to understand their perspective and any potential challenges they are facing. After that, I would provide specific feedback on their performance and collaboratively set clear, achievable goals for improvement. If the employee needed it, I could also open the door to additional training and regular check-ins to track progress. Beyond these steps, if the issue persists, I would follow the company's performance improvement plan and, if needed, involve HR to ensure a fair and comprehensive resolution.”
Question 3: How do you create a sense of urgency in your team?
“I've been quite successful at creating a sense of urgency in past teams and can duplicate my achievements here by setting clear and challenging objectives and articulating the significance of achieving them. I emphasize the potential benefits and consequences of meeting or missing deadlines. I'm also of the opinion that leading by example is the best way to motivate others, as it shows that not only do I want them to demonstrate a strong work ethic and a commitment to the team's success, but that I'm going to do so, too. I've also found that regular communication and updates on progress can help to keep team members engaged and focused. This also creates a culture of accountability and gives me the opportunity to recognize and celebrate achievements.”
Question 4: Why do you want to be a supervisor?
“I've always wanted to be a supervisor because I'm genuinely passionate about leadership and helping others to grow and succeed. I believe that effective leadership can drive positive change within an organization and empower individuals to reach their full potential. As a supervisor, I want to leverage my skills, experiences, and enthusiasm to guide and mentor team members, create a productive and harmonious work environment, and contribute to the overall success of the organization. I'm excited about the opportunity to take on greater responsibilities, lead by example, and make a meaningful impact on both my team and the company as a whole.”
Question 5: How do you handle stress?
“I learned a long time ago that the best way to handle stress is to effectively manage my time and prioritize self-care. Other than that, I'm not afraid to ask for help when necessary, including delegating tasks to subordinates. When I first stepped into a supervisory role, I had a hard time telling people what to do – it was partly that I worried things wouldn't get done right and also that I didn't want to burden people with things I thought I needed to do. Since then, I've gotten to a point where I can set goals for myself and team members that dictate my ability to delegate tasks. I've also found that managing my stress allows me to be more positive, focusing on solutions rather than issues. That translates into helping my team overcome challenges, too.”
Question 6: What are the qualities of a supervisor?
“While the key qualities of a supervisor are vast and countless, I emphasize leadership, effective communication, problem-solving skills, adaptability, and empathy when I guide a team. I do my best to provide clear guidance to properly motivate the team and foster a culture of collaboration. As you know, effective communication ensures that information flows smoothly, while problem-solving skills help to address challenges efficiently. By leveraging these qualities, plus a commitment to ethical conduct and a dedication to team development, I've built a reputation for being an effective and respected supervisor.”
Question 7: What is the first thing a new supervisor should do?
“My first priority as a new supervisor is always to work on building strong relationships with my team members, because I know that open and honest communication is essential. I would initiate one-on-one meetings with each team member to get to know them personally, understand their strengths and aspirations, and listen to their concerns. On top of that, I would familiarize myself with the team's work, goals, and challenges, to lay down a foundation of trust and set the stage for effective leadership.”
Question 8: How do you stay up-to-date on industry trends?
“I actively engage in continuous learning by attending conferences, webinars, and workshops. I also subscribe to industry publications, follow thought leaders on social media, and participate in online forums and discussions. By networking with peers and colleagues to exchange insights and gain exposure to emerging trends, I've been able to make informed decisions and adapt strategies to meet the evolving needs of the industry.”
Question 9: How do you deal with employee turnover?
“Employee turnover can be challenging, but I have a two-pronged approach to dealing with it. First, I approach it by conducting exit interviews to gather feedback and insights from departing employees. This helps to identify underlying issues that may need addressing. I'm also known for proactively improving employee retention by creating a positive work environment, offering growth opportunities, and recognizing and rewarding achievements. My career is punctuated by several instances where I took the time to understand the reasons behind turnover and took steps to mitigate them. In fact, for ABC Company, I reduced turnover rates and built a more stable and motivated team.”
Question 10: How does your leadership style fit with the company culture?
“My leadership style is fairly adaptable to the company culture because I believe in aligning my approach with the values and goals of the organization. I know the culture here is more collaborative. That fits well with my leadership style, because I prioritize open communication, teamwork, and accountability. Regardless of the hierarchy, I always strive to foster an environment where employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated, ultimately contributing to the company's success and maintaining cultural harmony.”
Passion, purpose, and preparedness
When you hold the role of a supervisor, the duties you take on are of utmost importance to the team you work with and the company as a whole. Oftentimes, the decisions you make can determine the success or failure of not only yourself but also of others. As you go through the interview process, the ability to showcase your skills and achievements in taking care of your team is paramount, and being prepared is the key.
If you need someone to coach you through these or other supervisor interview questions, TopInterview's team of career coaches is here to help.