Top Team Leader Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

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

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  • Question: What do you want to be in future?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see if the applicant has a clear vision of his or her career path. It's also meant to see if the applicant has the motivation and drive to succeed.

    Sample Answer: I want to be a team leader in a few years. I want to be in a position where I can develop my skills and help my team grow. I also want to be in a position where I can make an impact on the company's bottom line.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's career goals
    • - Motivation and drive
    • - Career path

  • Question: How willing are you to relocate?
  • Question Overview: Team leaders are often asked to relocate to other cities or countries. This question can help you get an idea of how willing the applicant is to follow the company's needs.

    Sample Answer: I would be willing to relocate if it meant I could continue to work for a company that I believe in and for a team that I respect. I'm very committed to my work and would do whatever it takes to ensure the success of my team and company.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's willingness to relocate
    • - Commitment to the company
    • - Commitment to the team

  • Question: How do you feel about having 40 employees reporting to you?
  • Question Overview: Team leaders are responsible for the success of their team. They must be able to manage a large group of people and ensure they're all working together towards the same goals. This question can show you how applicants feel about their ability to handle the responsibility.

    Sample Answer: I feel confident that I can handle the responsibility because I have a proven track record of success. I've led teams of up to 20 people and have been successful in my role as a team leader. I am a strong communicator and have excellent interpersonal skills. I am also a good listener and know how to motivate people to work together towards common goals.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's leadership capability
    • - Management style
    • - Ability to delegate tasks and responsibilities

  • Question: How will you determine how many gas pumps are active in a given city?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how applicants think through a problem. It also shows how they approach a task and how they collaborate with others.

    Sample Answer: I would first look at the number of gas stations in the city. Then, I would look at the number of gas pumps at each station. I would also look at the number of gas pumps that are inactive. After that, I would look at the number of cars in the city and the number of cars that are registered. I would then calculate the percentage of cars that are registered in the city. Finally, I would calculate the percentage of gas pumps that are active based on the number of cars in the city.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's ability to work through complex problems
    • - Ability to work collaboratively
    • - Ability to use logic and reasoning

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you made a mistake.
  • Question Overview: Team leaders are human. They make mistakes. But, they learn from those mistakes and move on. Look for answers that show the applicant is willing to admit a mistake, learn from it and not repeat it.

    Sample Answer: I once made a mistake in a project plan that I had created. I had failed to include a key step in the process, which caused the team to miss its deadline. I learned from that experience and now double-check my plans before sharing them with the team. I also learned that it's important to communicate with the team about any changes to plans so everyone is on the same page.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's ability to learn from mistakes
    • - Ability to take responsibility for mistakes
    • - Ability to communicate a mistake without making excuses

  • Question: Why do you want to work with us?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see if the applicant has done his or her homework. You want to see that the applicant has researched your company and has a good understanding of what you do.

    Sample Answer: I've been following your company for a while now. I'm impressed with your commitment to customer satisfaction and your focus on innovation. I think you're a leader in your industry and I would like to be part of that.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's knowledge of the company
    • - Interest in the company's products or services
    • - Opinion on the company's position in the market

  • Question: What is your biggest weakness?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how applicants handle difficult situations. It's important to see how they respond to their own weaknesses.

    Sample Answer: I'm a perfectionist. I always want to do things right the first time, which can be a weakness because it takes time and can slow down the process. I'm working on improving my ability to accept feedback and make adjustments quickly.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's ability to accept criticism
    • - Ability to identify and improve on weaknesses
    • - Honesty

  • Question: What makes you the best candidate for this job?
  • Question Overview: This is a great opportunity to see how applicants view themselves and their strengths. Look for answers that show the applicant is confident, but not arrogant.

    Sample Answer: I'm the best candidate for this job because I have the skills, experience and knowledge to lead a team to success. I'm a natural leader who has a proven track record of building high-performing teams. I'm also a great communicator who can build trust and inspire team members to work together towards a common goal.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's self-awareness
    • - Confidence in their abilities
    • - Opinion on the value of personal brandin

  • Question: What are your strengths?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how applicants view themselves. It's also a way to learn about their personality. Look for answers that show the applicant is confident and willing to take on challenges.

    Sample Answer: I'm a strong leader who is able to motivate team members and get them to work together. I'm also a good communicator who can build relationships with team members and customers. I'm a creative problem-solver who can find solutions to difficult problems. I'm also a hard worker who is willing to take on any challenge and won't give up until the job is done.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's ability to self-evaluate
    • - Confidence in their abilities
    • - Openness to new challenges

  • Question: How would you handle an angry employee?
  • Question Overview: Team leaders must be able to deal with conflict and resolve issues that arise. This question gives you an idea of how the applicant would handle a situation that could negatively affect the team.

    Sample Answer: I would first listen to what the employee has to say. I would then ask questions to better understand the issue. I would then work with the employee to find a solution that works for both of us. If needed, I would involve other team members to help resolve the issue.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's conflict management and resolution skills
    • - Ability to remain calm under pressure
    • - Ability to handle difficult situations

  • Question: How would your current teammates describe you?
  • Question Overview: Team leaders are not always the most popular people in the office. They're often the ones who make sure work is done on time and at a high quality level. This question can help you understand how applicants view their own leadership style and how they're perceived by others.

    Sample Answer: I would say my teammates would describe me as a leader who is not afraid to take risks and who is always looking for ways to improve the team's performance. I'm also known for being a great communicator, which helps me build strong relationships with my team members.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's self-awareness
    • - Ability to work with others
    • - Team player attitude

  • Question: What is your favorite color?
  • Question Overview: This question is not designed to see if the applicant has a favorite color. It's designed to see how the applicant thinks. The applicant should be able to explain why they chose that color.

    Sample Answer: I like blue because it's a calming color and it reminds me of the sky and ocean. I also like blue because it's the color of my favorite sports team.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's ability to think on their feet
    • - Communication skills
    • - Creativity

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in five years?
  • Question Overview: This question is a classic interview question that's designed to see how applicants think about their career. Look for answers that show the applicant has a clear vision of where they want to be and how they plan to get there.

    Sample Answer: I see myself as a team leader in five years. I plan to continue growing my skills and experience, which will help me achieve my goal of becoming a team leader. I plan to do this by taking on more responsibilities, such as leading a project or task force. I will also work hard to develop my leadership skills by taking courses and participating in leadership training programs.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's career goals and growth potential
    • - Commitment to the company
    • - Ability to set and achieve goals

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you completed a project but someone else took credit for your work.
  • Question Overview: Team leaders are often the ones who do the work but don't always get the credit. This question lets you see how applicants handle this situation.

    Sample Answer: I would first try to understand why this happened. I would then talk to the person who took credit for my work and explain why I should be recognized for my contributions. If that didn't work, I would take my case to a higher authority.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's ability to communicate and negotiate
    • - Conflict management and resolution skills
    • - Opinion on the value of teamwor

  • Question: What opportunities are you working on?
  • Question Overview: Team leaders are expected to identify and pursue opportunities that will help the team and company achieve their goals. This question can help you see how applicants think about opportunities and how they plan to capitalize on them.

    Sample Answer: I'm currently working on a project that will improve our customer service. I'm also working on a project that will reduce the time it takes to complete a task by 50%. I'm also working on a project that will improve our customer service. I'm also working on a project that will reduce the time it takes to complete a task by 50%. I'm also working on a project that will improve our customer service.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's ability to identify and pursue opportunities
    • - Ability to collaborate with team members
    • - Ability to prioritize tasks

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to correct someone.
  • Question Overview: Team leaders are expected to be able to handle conflict and resolve issues. This question lets you see how applicants handle these situations.

    Sample Answer: I had a team member who was not performing up to expectations. I gave him feedback and asked him to improve. He didn't. I then had a conversation with him where I explained that his performance was not acceptable and that he would need to improve or he would be let go. He did not improve, so I had to let him go.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's conflict management and resolution skills
    • - Ability to work with different personality types
    • - Management style

  • Question: What makes you stand out from the other candidates?
  • Question Overview: This is a great opportunity to see how the applicant views his or her strengths and weaknesses. It's also a chance to see how the applicant would sell himself or herself to a prospective employer.

    Sample Answer: I'm a team player who is always willing to go the extra mile for my team and company. I'm also a great communicator who can work with people from all levels of the organization. I'm also very analytical, which helps me make quick decisions when necessary. I'm also a quick learner who can adapt to new situations and technologies quickly.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's self-awareness
    • - Ability to sell his or her skills and experience
    • - Communication skills

  • Question: What would you suggest to a customer with ____ ingredients?
  • Question Overview: Team leaders are responsible for managing customer expectations. They must be able to provide solutions to customer problems and help them achieve their goals. This question can show you how applicants deal with customers and how they approach problems.

    Sample Answer: I would first ask the customer what they want to achieve with the product. Then, I would ask them what ingredients they have in their possession. I would then ask them what their expectations are for the product. Based on that information, I would suggest a solution that would meet their needs and help them achieve their goals.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's ability to think on their feet
    • - Communication skills
    • - Customer service orientation

  • Question: Do you have a car and will you drive members with severe mental illness where they want to go?
  • Question Overview: Team leaders are responsible for the safety of their team members. They must ensure team members are able to get to and from work safely. This question lets you see how applicants handle the responsibility and make decisions that keep everyone safe.

    Sample Answer: I would first check with my team members to see if they have a car and if they're able to drive themselves to work. If not, I would offer to drive them. If they need to go somewhere outside of work, I would ask them to tell me where they want to go and why. I would then decide if it's safe for them to go there and if I can drive them there. If not, I would ask them if they can find another way to get there.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Applicant's ability to make decisions that keep team members safe
    • - Management style
    • - Safety awareness