1. Tell me about your experience at Company X?
In other words, how does your past experience relate to the job the hiring manager is looking to fill? When answering this question, you want to convince the hiring manager that you can hit the ground running and bring value to the team by providing specific examples that resulted in successful outcomes. It's also helpful to identify how your current and prospective employers differ. This will help you determine which skills to emphasize.
Despite working for a company that prefers organic growth, I have worked through the nuances that evolve when two organizations with distinct cultural norms are brought together. For example, recently, new leadership from Company Y brought new ways of evaluating projects. I set out to understand their ways of doing things by building a rapport with key leaders and sharing with them the institutional knowledge I acquired during a successful eight-year career in the firm. An example of when my knowledge was beneficial is…etc.
2. WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE IN THIS FIELD OR FOR BUSINESS UNIT MANAGER POSITION?
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.
If you are being asked this question from your employer then you can explain your experience. Tell the employer what responsibilities you were performing during your job. You can tell what programs you developed and what modules you worked on. What were your achievements regarding different programs.
3. What Are Your Goals for business unit manager?
Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."
4. Why Did You Leave (Or Why Are You Leaving) Your Job?
If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20 percent reduction in the workforce, which included me."
If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."
5. Why Should We Hire You as business unit manager?
Summarize your experiences: "With five years' experience working in the financial industry and my proven record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."
6. Tell me how do you handle staffing issues?
Nurse Managers assign nursing staff to each department in the health care unit: radiology, emergency, etc. They do this in coordination with the departments and their own knowledge of current nursing practices, taking into account the needs of the nurses and their schedule as well.
7. Describe your supervisory style?
When answering supervisor interview questions around your personal supervisory style remember that there is no wrong or right supervisory style. The only criteria is that it should be appropriate to the situation. Your ability to adapt your style to the demands of the person you are dealing with, the task at hand and the circumstances is key to success as a supervisor. Provide examples of how you have had to adapt your supervisory style to meet different needs.
8. Why do you want this business unit manager job?
This question typically follows on from the previous one. Here is where your research will come in handy. You may want to say that you want to work for a company that is x, y, z, (market leader, innovator, provides a vital service, whatever it may be). Put some thought into this beforehand, be specific and link the company's values and mission statement to your own goals and career plans.
9. Tell us about a time an employee made a significant mistake. What action did you take?
This is a behavioral or situational interview question. You are expected to provide an example of how you successfully managed a difficult employee or team member.
10. What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't?
What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."
11. Describe a time you had to manage conflict within your department/team/group?
Your example can show how you identified the source of conflict, used the conflict situation as a constructive process to exchange opinions and ideas and clarify roles and responsibilities. Discuss how you kept the focus on the desired outcome rather than on personal grievances.
12. Why are you the best person for this position?
In asking this question, the hiring manager is looking for you to succinctly convey what sets you apart from the other candidates. Think of your most impressive and unique strengths that closely relate to the job description and use those to pitch yourself in a way that clearly illustrates the skill set and qualities you bring to the table.
My analytical horsepower sets me apart from other candidates. For example, I imagine all of your candidates can create robust Excel-based financial models. However, I can also see and articulate the business story behind the numbers to influence decision-making. During a major food-chain deal, I conducted the due diligence necessary to come up with the right multiple that my superiors should consider based not only on raw data but also on what was the best way to position the assets we were selling. My strategy resulted in a more profitable deal.
13. What important trends have you picked up recently in our industry?
Be prepared with two or three trends that demonstrate your knowledge of the industry. Consider technological challenges and opportunities, current economic conditions and demands and growing competitiveness.
14. As business unit manager, what is your management style?
I believe in delegating responsibility and authority. I want to give each person the chance to grown and reach for the stars, not be hobbled by low expectations or some ceiling I've put into place.
I believe in building a team. Each member of the team should be clear on their role, know where they fit in and feel they can depend on and lean upon others in the team to achieve group goals.
I believe in real-time feedback. If you do something wrong you should know it immediately. If you do something right, you should hear about it right away. The further removed feedback is in time, the less effective it is.
15. Tell us what you know about your greatest weakness?
Often dreaded by job candidates, the key to answering this question is to be honest yet strategic. On my site, I go into more detail on new and effective ways to answer this question truthfully without taking yourself out of the running. You also need to address the unspoken follow up, which is what you are doing to overcome your weakness. Ultimately, you want to show the hiring manager that you are self-aware, thoughtful and proactive about your strengths and weaknesses.
My greatest weakness is my low patience when a team member withholds important information to the detriment of his or her peers or the assignment's success. I have always tried to maximize knowledge-sharing by bringing team members together prior to launching any assignment to ensure everyone is on the same page. Yet, there have been times when people have withheld information even after these efforts. In those instances, I have learned to speak privately with those team members to understand why information was withheld.
16. Tell me about a time you had to coach an employee to perform a task?
Coaching and developing others is part of the supervisor function. Supervisor interview questions about the development of employees should include your ability to agree on the outcomes and methods of coaching with the employee, to explain and demonstrate task performance, to observe and provide constructive feedback.
17. How do you motivate your employees/team members?
The more your employees or team members understand about their jobs and responsibilities the more motivated they are. Show how you ensure each subordinate has clarity about his or her role and responsibilities. Discuss how you set clear, specific and realistic targets that are agreed on rather than dictated. Focus on how you involve employees by asking for suggestions, ideas and feedback.
18. Business unit manager job interview tips:
1. Research:
Prepare a response so you are ready for the question What do you know about this company?Know the interviewer's name and use it during the job interview. If you're not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.
2. First impressions count:
Greet your interviewer with a smile and firm handshake. Give eye contact. Try to make small talk during the walk from the reception area to the interview room. Liz Anderson, a human resources manager says, "You have to sell yourself before you can sell anything else and the first 30 seconds are when the interviewer subconsciously makes decisions about whether they like you or not and whether you will fit into the team."
3. Get Ready:
Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.
4. Be On Time:
Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the interview location ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Here's more on preparing for an interview.
5. Practice your answers:
Although there is no set format that every job interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. You should prepare answers to some of the most common interview questions about your personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as being able to explain why you would be the best person for the job.
6. Ask questions:
You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. Prepare a minimum of five questions, some which will give you more information about the job and some which delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company.
19. Telephonic Business unit manager interview questions:
► Tell me about an important issue you encountered recently.
► Tell me about yourself.
► What are your long-term goals or career plans?
► Tell me about your strengths.
► What assignment was too difficult for you?
Be relaxed. Don't overstress yourself. A comfortable mind shall generate a good outcome. Your answer will affect the rest of the interview. Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control.
20. Competency Based Business unit manager interview questions:
► What were the responsibilities of your last position?
► How did you react when faced with constant time pressure?
► What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
► What are your expectations regarding promotions and salary increases?
► Did you feel you progressed satisfactorily in your last job?
The most important tip is that you have get yourself prepared carefully before the behavioral interview. Discuss any attributes that may set you apart from other job candidates.
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control.
21. Strengths and Weaknesses Related Business unit manager interview questions:
► What are you expecting from this firm in the future?
► What is your greatest achievement outside of work?
► List five words that describe your character.
► Who else have you applied to/got interviews with?
► What are your salary requirements.
The most important tip is that you have get yourself prepared carefully before the behavioral interview. It is meant to see whether or not you'll speak poorly of an employer. Answer all Business unit manager interview questions honestly and stay focused throughout the hiring process.
22. Video Business unit manager interview questions:
► What negative thing would your last boss say about you?
► Situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise.
► What was the most difficult period in your life, and how did you deal with it?
► How do you react to instruction and criticism?
► If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Don't stress yourself with the idea of winning or losing. You may receive very helpful advice from an outsider who, like the interviewers, may tell if you answer properly or not. Just confine your words to better opportunities.
23. Communication skills Based Business unit manager interview questions:
► You have not done this sort of job before. How will you succeed?
► What relevant experience do you have?
► What do you see yourself doing within the first days of this job?
► What do you consider your most significant accomplishment?
► Who has impacted you most in your career and how?
24. Behavioral Business unit manager interview questions:
► Do you work well under pressure?
► Do you have any questions for me?
► Give examples of ideas you've had or implemented.
► Has anything ever irritated you about people you've worked with?
► What kind of events cause you stress on the job?
Answer all Business unit manager interview questions honestly and stay focused throughout the hiring process. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for. Don't stress yourself with the idea of winning or losing.
25. Situational Business unit manager interview questions:
► How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
► How do you evaluate your ability to handle conflict?
► What do you think you can bring to this position?
► What support training would you require to be able to do this job?
► What have you done to support diversity in your unit?
