Questions to Ask a Supervisor in an Interview
Strategic questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role, reveal important information about the work environment, and help you make an informed decision about the position.
1What do you enjoy most about working in this role?
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What do you enjoy most about working in this role?
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Why this works
Reveals the supervisor's personal connection to the position and highlights positive aspects of the work environment.
2How would you describe the team culture and what makes it unique?
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How would you describe the team culture and what makes it unique?
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Why this works
Provides insights into the work environment and helps you understand what sets this team apart from others.
3What are the main responsibilities and expectations for this position?
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What are the main responsibilities and expectations for this position?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about the role requirements and reveals the specific duties and expectations you'll need to meet.
4How does the team collaborate and communicate on a daily basis?
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How does the team collaborate and communicate on a daily basis?
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Why this works
Reveals the team's approach to teamwork and shows you understand the importance of collaboration in the workplace.
5What opportunities exist for professional development and growth?
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What opportunities exist for professional development and growth?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about your career development and reveals how the organization supports employee growth.
6What challenges does the team typically face, and how do you address them?
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What challenges does the team typically face, and how do you address them?
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Why this works
Reveals the team's problem-solving approach and shows you understand the realities of the work environment.
7How do you measure success and performance for team members?
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How do you measure success and performance for team members?
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Why this works
Shows you understand the importance of performance management and reveals what the organization values in employee contributions.
8What support and resources are available to help team members succeed?
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What support and resources are available to help team members succeed?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about your success and reveals how the organization supports employee achievement.
9How does the team handle workload and project management?
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How does the team handle workload and project management?
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Why this works
Reveals the team's approach to project coordination and shows you understand the importance of effective workload management.
10What opportunities exist for mentorship and learning from experienced team members?
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What opportunities exist for mentorship and learning from experienced team members?
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Why this works
Shows you're interested in growth and reveals how the team supports knowledge transfer and professional development.
11How does the team approach innovation and continuous improvement?
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How does the team approach innovation and continuous improvement?
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Why this works
Reveals the team's commitment to growth and shows you understand the importance of staying current with industry trends.
12What are the team's goals and priorities for the next year?
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What are the team's goals and priorities for the next year?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking long-term and reveals the team's strategic direction and focus areas.
13How does the team handle feedback and performance reviews?
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How does the team handle feedback and performance reviews?
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Why this works
Reveals the team's approach to performance management and shows you understand the importance of continuous feedback.
14What opportunities exist for cross-functional collaboration with other departments?
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What opportunities exist for cross-functional collaboration with other departments?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about broader organizational impact and reveals how the team works with other parts of the organization.
15How does the team handle work-life balance and employee well-being?
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How does the team handle work-life balance and employee well-being?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about sustainability and reveals the team's approach to supporting employee wellness.
16What technology and tools does the team use to accomplish its goals?
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What technology and tools does the team use to accomplish its goals?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about modern work practices and reveals the technical infrastructure and tools you'll be working with.
17How does the team approach diversity and inclusion?
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How does the team approach diversity and inclusion?
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Why this works
Reveals the team's commitment to creating an inclusive environment and shows you value diversity in the workplace.
18What opportunities exist for leadership and taking on additional responsibilities?
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What opportunities exist for leadership and taking on additional responsibilities?
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Why this works
Shows you're thinking about career advancement and reveals how the team supports employee growth and leadership development.
19How does the team handle conflict resolution and difficult situations?
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How does the team handle conflict resolution and difficult situations?
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Why this works
Reveals the team's approach to managing challenges and shows you understand the importance of effective conflict resolution.
20What would success look like for someone in this role after six months?
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What would success look like for someone in this role after six months?
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Why this works
Reveals specific expectations and helps you understand what the team values in employee performance and growth.
Best Practices for Supervisor Interview Questions
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Show Understanding of the Role
Ask questions that demonstrate you understand the position, the team dynamics, and the challenges and opportunities in the role.
Balance Professional and Personal
Mix questions about the work and team culture with those about career development and work-life balance to show you're thinking holistically.
Listen for Red Flags
Pay attention to how they answer questions about challenges, team dynamics, and employee satisfaction to identify potential issues.
Question Sequences
The Team Culture Sequence
The Career Development Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask Obvious Questions
Avoid questions you could easily find answers to on the company's website or in basic research. Show you've done your homework.
Avoid Negative Framing
Don't ask questions that assume problems or focus on what's wrong. Frame questions positively to show optimism and solution-focused thinking.
Don't Make It All About You
Balance questions about the role with those about the team's needs and challenges. Show you're thinking about how you can contribute.