Interview Questions

PrincesaGuerrera

Hi there

I've been attending job interviews recently and a couple of times I've been asked 'How do you like to be managed?', to which I've answered "I like to be told/shown what to do then be left to get on with it". This would seem to be to me the only obvious answer to this question so I kind of wonder why they ask it. Am I missing something here? should I be reading between this lines a bit more on this one?

Thanks

PG

Meatloaf1981

They want to know whether you're someone who likes close supervision or to be left to their own devices basically. There are multiple different management styles and if they favour a laissez-faire style where they don't need to supervise you too closely then that is what they were looking for. Trouble is, you don't know in advance what their management style is. A good response to that kind of question is to say "I'm flexible and will happily adapt to the management style of the individual manager. I will get on with the work if I'm happy I know what is required, but equally I am happy to discuss the progression of a task as I go along if that is what is required of me. I am also confident enough to give my opinion on the completion of a task if it is asked of me or if the working atmosphere encourages my participation in assisting a manager reach a decision."

FBaby

I like to be told/shown what to do then be left to get on with it"

Depending on the tone, this could be interpretated as saying that you the want to get on with it and not be bothered.

I would probably respond something like 'I am quite adaptable in terms of how I like to be managed and I've never had an issue in the past with a manager as I've always been treated fairly'.

theoretica

What sort of jobs are you interviewing for? If you are only doing one task, being shown and then left to get on would be a fair answer, but it might not work so well in a department with lots of little tasks where knowing the final result and using your initiative to move on to the next one in the most efficient way might work better.

How much, and how regularly do you like feedback on your performance?
Do you like to know the bigger picture and how your efforts help towards it?

Sanne

I am always honest with this - i.e. I say what I like as, if the manager had a completely different management style to what I like we wouldn't get on/I wouldn't be happy anyway.

In my last interview I said that I like a manager to set clear goals/targets/aims and then let me get on with the task in hand, trusting me that they are getting done.

I can't stand for a manager to micro-manage or to check up on what I'm doing every 10 minutes so this would NEVER work for me.

I got the job and now know that this is exactly fitting with my manager's style.

I've also turned this around and asked a potential manager what their management style is (in the "do you still have questions" part).

ohreally

You could write a book on this. Search for and become familiar with management styles.

Snakey

It depends where you are in life right now - do you just need "a job" or are you in a position where you're building a specific career and can't afford a single wrong move on your CV?

If you just want the job, think about the job description and also take your cue from the style and personality of the interviewer if that's who you'll be working for. Tailor your answer accordingly. Tell them what they want to hear (the employer will be thinking about the efficiency, productivity and harmony of their team, the manager will be thinking about an easy life and whether you will make him look good) and never mind what you like - that should only come out in an emergency if you have absolutely no idea what it is they want.

If you need the exact perfect job, then you should already have a clear idea of what the team environment needs to be like. You should still tweak your answer slightly to be less self-absorbed - put yourself in the shoes of your manager - how will you reassure him that you're "getting on with it" so that he doesn't need to worry about a nasty surprise on deadline day (if it's that sort of job) and can feel comfortable leaving you to it?