Dealing with Management - Sample Questions: Part 9

Welcome to another posting in our ongoing series looking at some potential questions you may be asked when seeking a position in the logistics field. This series started HERE if you want to go back and pick up some of the prior posts.

So, are you management material? Have you ever had to fire someone, and if so, how did or would it make you feel? Even though you are being asked how you feel, leave feelings out of your answer, and focus on the root issue. Focus on the good of the company, keep your answers positive, and discuss how you put the good of the company over personal feelings or moral struggles in this area. If an employee is detrimental to a company, giving poor or negative performance, then you feel it more necessary to remove that issue for the betterment of the company as a whole. However, do not come across as if this situation is a pleasurable one for you, or project an impersonal and uncaring attitude. There are moral/personal struggles involved, but the point is, that you have to explain that regardless of those feelings, how you consider it more necessary to take the action for the sake of the company.

What kind of answer might you give if asked to discuss any past troubles with a boss, co-worker, or customer? This is the type of question that unless asked, you should not feel the need to discuss. If you are discussing it, then it is important to stay professional in your discussion of former employers or co-workers. If you have such a story from your past, turn it into a learning experience story, pointing out some possible things that you had done right or wrong in the situation, and how you would better handle the situation now, having gone through that experience. Were you proactive in seeking a solution to the issue? How was the issue finally resolved, and what part did you play in the resolution?

How would you feel if you were working with or under someone that obviously knew less than you? People are always quick to point our flaws in management, especially when it comes to their lack of education or specific technical know-how. However, less education does not necessarily mean less experience. Their life experience may translate to better management skills, better motivation skills for employees they manage, and overall better performance for the company. Do not go into answers that discuss former lousy bosses, stupid decisions, or negative issues from your past. Focus on how you feel you could learn from the experience of others regardless of their technical know-how.

That’s it for now, and as always, if you have been out there in the interview field, and have some other points to share on your experiences and what you have found to be commonplace in the interview process, please share your comments below to share with others.

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Logistics Jobsite blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.