20 Questions

Questions to Ask for Supervisor Interview

Strategic questions to evaluate potential supervisors, understand management style, and ensure a good working relationship.

1

How would you describe your management style?

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Why this works

Understanding their approach helps you determine if it matches your work preferences and growth needs.

2

What does success look like in this role from your perspective?

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Why this works

Clarifies expectations and helps you understand how performance will be measured.

3

How do you typically provide feedback to your team members?

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Why this works

Important for understanding how you'll receive guidance and performance input.

4

What's your approach to professional development and career growth?

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Why this works

Shows whether they invest in their team's long-term success and advancement.

5

How do you handle conflicts or disagreements within the team?

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Why this works

Reveals their conflict resolution skills and team dynamics management.

6

What's your communication style and how often do you meet with direct reports?

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Why this works

Helps you understand the working relationship structure and communication frequency.

7

How do you balance giving direction with allowing autonomy?

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Why this works

Important for understanding how much independence you'll have in your work.

8

What challenges do you anticipate for someone in this role?

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Why this works

Shows they're thinking realistically about the position and potential difficulties.

9

How do you support work-life balance for your team?

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Why this works

Reveals their values around employee wellbeing and sustainable work practices.

10

What qualities do you value most in your team members?

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Why this works

Helps you understand what they're looking for and how to succeed in this role.

11

How do you handle mistakes or when things don't go as planned?

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Why this works

Important for understanding their response to setbacks and learning opportunities.

12

What's your approach to delegation and workload distribution?

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Why this works

Reveals how they manage team capacity and individual responsibilities.

13

How do you stay connected with your team's daily work and challenges?

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Why this works

Shows their level of engagement and awareness of team dynamics.

14

What opportunities exist for collaboration with other departments?

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Why this works

Reveals cross-functional opportunities and broader organizational exposure.

15

How do you measure and recognize team performance?

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Why this works

Understanding their performance evaluation approach and recognition practices.

16

What's your philosophy on innovation and trying new approaches?

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Why this works

Important for understanding their openness to change and creative problem-solving.

17

How do you handle team members who are struggling or underperforming?

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Why this works

Reveals their approach to performance management and employee support.

18

What do you enjoy most about managing people?

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Why this works

Personal insight into their motivation and what drives them as a leader.

19

How do you ensure your team stays aligned with company goals?

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Why this works

Shows their strategic thinking and ability to connect individual work to bigger picture.

20

What advice would you give to someone starting in this role?

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Why this works

Practical guidance that can help you succeed and shows their investment in your success.

How to Use These Questions

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

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