Top It Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your It Manager interview by going through these most asked It Manager interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

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  • Question: How can you add value to our company?
  • Question Overview: An IT manager should be able to add value to your company by improving the efficiency of your IT services and systems. A candidate should be able to explain how they can improve your company's IT services and systems.

    Sample Answer: I can improve your company's IT services by implementing new software and hardware. I'll also make sure that all of your systems are up-to-date and secure. I'll also help you with your network security and data backup.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience improving IT services
    • - Knowledgeable about the latest technology
    • - Commitment to staying abreast of the latest technology

  • Question: How would you explain storage virtualization?
  • Question Overview: Storage virtualization is a technology that allows you to store data on a single server and access it from different computers. A candidate should be able to explain how storage virtualization works and how it's used in the workplace.

    Sample Answer: Storage virtualization is a technology that allows you to store data on a single server and access it from different computers. It's used in the workplace to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of how storage virtualization works
    • - Ability to explain how it's used in the workplace
    • - Comfortable explaining complex IT concepts

  • Question: What are some of the challenges you have faced when you were met with resistance?
  • Question Overview: IT managers are responsible for managing teams and completing projects. They must also deal with clients and workers who may be resistant to change. A candidate should be able to explain how they handled resistance from clients and workers when they were met with it.

    Sample Answer: I was met with resistance when I implemented new software for an organization. The staff was resistant to the changes, but I was able to manage the project by providing training and communicating with the staff to ensure they understood the new system.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience managing teams and projects
    • - Knowledgeable about handling client and worker resistance
    • - Commitment to completing tasks despite resistance

  • Question: What is your opinion on outsourcing IT?
  • Question Overview: Outsourcing IT services is a common practice among companies. It allows companies to focus on their core business while outsourcing the IT department to an outside company. An IT manager should be able to explain how outsourcing can benefit your company and the pros and cons of outsourcing.

    Sample Answer: Outsourcing IT services can be beneficial for companies that don't have the resources to manage their own IT departments. However, there are risks involved with outsourcing that should be considered before making a decision.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledgeable about the benefits of outsourcing IT services
    • - Understands the risks of outsourcing
    • - Comfortable with outsourcing IT services

  • Question: How would you introduce a new process to your team?
  • Question Overview: IT managers introduce new processes to their teams to improve efficiency and productivity. The manager should be able to identify the best way to introduce a new process to the team, whether it's through training or a new software program. A candidate should be able to explain how they would introduce a new process to their team.

    Sample Answer: I would first identify the best way to introduce a new process to my team. If it's a software program, I'd train the staff on how to use it. If it's a new procedure, I'd provide training and then monitor the staff's progress until they're comfortable with the changes.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledgeable about the best way to introduce a new process
    • - Comfortable training staff on new processes
    • - Experience with introducing new software programs

  • Question: Why do you want this job when it might be gone in 6 months or less after we merge with BMS?
  • Question Overview: An IT manager will be laid off if the company merges with another organization. This is a common occurrence in the IT industry, so a candidate should be able to explain why they want the job even though it might not be available in the future. A potential hire should also be able to explain why they're a good fit for the job and how they'll help the organization succeed.

    Sample Answer: I'm aware that this position might not be available once our company merges with BMS. However, I'm confident that I can help our organization succeed and grow. I've worked with several companies that have merged successfully, and I've learned how to work with teams to complete projects and meet deadlines.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the company's current situation
    • - Commitment to helping the organization succeed
    • - Skills in working with a team

  • Question: Have you ever had a project that failed?
  • Question Overview: IT managers work with a team to complete projects. When a project fails, the IT manager is held responsible for the failure and must determine what went wrong and how to prevent similar failures in the future. A candidate should be able to explain how they handled past project failures and what they learned from the experience.

    Sample Answer: I had a project that failed because of a lack of communication between team members. I reorganized the team and assigned each member a specific role. I also provided training for the staff to improve their skills and knowledge of the project.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with handling project failures
    • - Knowledge of how to prevent future failures
    • - Ability to learn from past mistakes

  • Question: Based on your knowledge, what are the three things you believe Qantas should do to become the best premium airline in the world?
  • Question Overview: A candidate should be able to provide a list of three things that Qantas can do to become the best premium airline in the world. The list should include suggestions that can be implemented to improve the airline's business. The candidate should also have a strong understanding of the airline industry and how Qantas can improve its services.

    Sample Answer: I believe that Qantas should focus on improving its customer service, increasing its flight routes and expanding its business to other countries. By increasing its customer service, Qantas will be able to compete with other airlines and attract more customers. Expanding its flight routes will allow it to reach more customers and increase revenue. Finally, expanding its business to other countries will help it reach more customers and increase revenue.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the airline industry
    • - Experience in providing suggestions for improvement
    • - Commitment to staying updated about new business practices

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult co-worker.
  • Question Overview: Co-workers can be difficult to deal with when they don't work well with others or have a negative attitude. As an IT manager, you need to be able to handle these situations and resolve conflicts in a professional manner. A potential hire should be able to explain how they handled a difficult co-worker and how they resolved the conflict.

    Sample Answer: I had a co-worker who was very negative about the company and the work we did. I tried to talk to him about his attitude, but he didn't change. I then spoke to his supervisor about his behavior. His supervisor spoke to him about his attitude and he eventually changed for the better.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to handle conflicts with co-workers
    • - Comfortable resolving issues with co-workers
    • - Skills in communicating with co-workers

  • Question: How do you manage your team?
  • Question Overview: IT managers are responsible for managing the staff they supervise. They assign tasks, monitor progress and provide feedback to help workers improve their performance. A candidate should be able to explain how they manage their team to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

    Sample Answer: I assign tasks to my team members based on their skills and experience. I monitor their progress and provide feedback to help them improve their performance. I also meet with my team members regularly to discuss their progress and any issues they're facing.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience managing a team
    • - Knowledgeable about providing feedback to workers
    • - Comfortable assigning tasks and monitoring progress

  • Question: What would you do if a team member was not meeting his/her commitments?
  • Question Overview: IT managers are responsible for managing team members and ensuring they complete their assigned tasks. If a team member is not meeting his/her commitments, the manager should take action to correct the issue. A candidate should be able to explain how they would handle a situation where a team member is not meeting his/her commitments.

    Sample Answer: I would review the team member's work and determine if there were any issues that prevented him/her from completing tasks on time. If there were issues, I would meet with the employee to discuss them and find ways to improve his/her performance.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience managing team members
    • - Knowledgeable about how to motivate and correct team members
    • - Commitment to completing tasks on time

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: This is a common question that every candidate should be prepared to answer. A good IT manager should be able to identify their strengths and weaknesses. A good answer should include a positive trait and a weakness that can be improved.

    Sample Answer: I'm a very organized person and I'm good at managing projects. I'm also very detail-oriented and I can work well under pressure. I'm always willing to learn new skills and improve my weaknesses.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Self-awareness
    • - Honest
    • - Willingness to improve weaknesses

  • Question: Why did you leave your previous job?
  • Question Overview: An IT manager should be honest about why they left their previous job. If they were fired, they should be upfront about it. If they left to pursue other opportunities, they should explain why they left. A candidate should be able to explain why they left their previous job in a professional manner and avoid making excuses.

    Sample Answer: I left my previous job because I wanted to pursue other opportunities. I was offered a position with a larger company that would allow me to expand my skills and experience.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honesty
    • - Professionalism
    • - Avoiding excuses

  • Question: How do you feel about working with remote staff?
  • Question Overview: IT managers work with remote workers to complete projects. They should be comfortable with managing workers that are not in the office and have experience working with remote staff members. A candidate should be able to explain how they feel about working with remote staff and how they manage them.

    Sample Answer: I feel comfortable working with remote staff members. I've managed teams that were not in the office, and I've found that communication is key to managing them effectively. I make sure to communicate regularly with my team members to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience working with remote staff
    • - Comfortable managing remote workers
    • - Knowledgeable about the importance of communication when working with remote staff

  • Question: What motivates you to work hard?
  • Question Overview: A candidate should be motivated to work hard to complete projects and meet deadlines. They should also be motivated to work hard to help your company grow and succeed. A candidate should be able to explain their motivations for working hard and how they've demonstrated their motivation in the past.

    Sample Answer: I'm motivated to work hard because I want to help my company grow and succeed. I've demonstrated my motivation by completing projects on time and working hard to meet deadlines.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Motivated to work hard
    • - Demonstrated commitment to completing projects
    • - Commitment to helping the company succeed

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to create order from chaos.
  • Question Overview: IT managers are responsible for keeping their team organized and on task. They also need to be able to handle unexpected changes to projects and tasks. A good candidate should be able to explain how they handled a chaotic situation and turned it into an organized system.

    Sample Answer: I had to create order from chaos when I was working on a project that was behind schedule. I met with my team and we reviewed the project's progress. We identified the cause of the delay and worked together to complete the project on time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with creating order from chaos
    • - Skills in managing projects and tasks
    • - Commitment to staying organized

  • Question: When can you join us?
  • Question Overview: This question is asked to determine if the candidate is available to start the job immediately.

    Sample Answer: I'm available to start the job immediately.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Commitment to starting the job immediately
    • - Availability to start the job immediately

  • Question: How will you handle dumb people?
  • Question Overview: It's the role of the IT manager to work with clients and staff to complete projects. A candidate should be able to handle people with different skill sets and personalities. They should also be able to communicate effectively with clients and staff to complete projects.

    Sample Answer: I'll work with my team to develop a plan based on the client's needs. I'll also work with the client to understand their expectations for the project. I'll then assign tasks to my team members based on their skills and expertise. I'll monitor the progress of each task and make any changes if needed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience working with clients and staff
    • - Ability to communicate effectively with workers
    • - Comfortable working with people from different backgrounds

  • Question: How do you manage multiple tasks that have the same level of priority and deadlines?
  • Question Overview: IT managers are responsible for completing multiple tasks that have the same level of priority and deadlines. They must be able to manage their time and prioritize tasks to ensure that all deadlines are met. A candidate should be able to explain how they would manage multiple tasks with the same level of priority and deadlines.

    Sample Answer: I would review each task and identify its priority and deadline. Next, I would assign a time frame for each task to ensure that all deadlines are met. I would then prioritize the tasks based on their importance and start working on the most important one first.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience managing multiple tasks
    • - Knowledgeable about prioritizing tasks
    • - Comfortable managing time to meet deadlines

  • Question: What value will you bring to the organization?
  • Question Overview: It's the role of the IT manager to bring value to the organization by improving the company's IT services and systems. The manager should be able to identify ways to improve existing services and create new ones. A candidate should be able to explain how they'll bring value to your company.

    Sample Answer: I'll bring value to the organization by improving its IT services and systems. I'll also create new services that will help the company operate more efficiently and improve its productivity.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience identifying ways to improve IT services
    • - Knowledgeable about creating new systems and services
    • - Commitment to staying abreast of the latest technology