Top General Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

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

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  • Question: Why did you leave your previous company?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate explains their past work history. It is important to see how they explain their past work history.

    Sample Answer: I left my previous job because I wanted to work for a company that offered more opportunities for growth.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Explanation of why they left
    • - Explanation of why they left
    • - Explanation of why they left

  • Question: Why are you applying for this position?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge whether or not the candidate is really interested in the job. If they can't articulate why they want the job, it might be a sign that they are just applying for any job.

    Sample Answer: I am applying for this position because I think it will be a good fit for my skills and experience. I am very interested in working for your company.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The candidate's interest in the position
    • - The candidate's interest in your company
    • - The candidate's interest in the industry

  • Question: What do you think about your fit for this job?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that is often asked at the end of an interview. It is a good idea to ask your potential hire what they think about their fit for the job. This will give you some insight into how they view themselves and their skills.

    Sample Answer: I feel like I am a good fit for this job because I have a lot of experience with the skills and responsibilities listed in the job description.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in their skills
    • - Acknowledgement of any gaps in their skills

  • Question: Walk me through your CV.
  • Question Overview: This is a straightforward question that allows you to learn about the candidate's work history and how they have progressed in their career.

    Sample Answer: My CV is attached to this application.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Work history
    • - Education
    • - Skills
    • - Achievements

  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?
  • Question Overview: A good general manager should be able to see the potential in a company and want to be a part of it. If the hire is not interested in your company, they might not be as motivated to work hard for you. Answers to this question will help you learn if the candidate is interested in your company and its goals.

    Sample Answer: I really like the way your company has grown over the past few years. I think I can help you grow even more.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of why the candidate wants to work for your company
    • - Reasons why the candidate wants to work for your company

  • Question: How do you deal with stress?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often faced with stressful situations. They must be able to keep their cool and make decisions that are in the best interest of the company. Answers to this question will help you learn how the hire handles stressful situations.

    Sample Answer: I try to take a step back from the situation and look at it from a different angle. I also try to think about what I can do to fix the problem.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of dealing with stress
    • - Ability to remain calm and focused
    • - Ability to make quick decisions

  • Question: Why do you choose Panda Express?
  • Question Overview: This question is used to see how the candidate feels about the company. It is also used to see how they feel about the food.

    Sample Answer: I chose Panda Express because I love the food. I like that it is fast and fresh. I dislike that it is not open on the weekends.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Why they chose Panda Express
    • - What they like about Panda Express
    • - What they dislike about Panda Express

  • Question: What would you do if a customer complains that their coffee is not made to standards?
  • Question Overview: General managers are responsible for the quality of the products and services their company provides. They should be able to address customer complaints and make sure that the customer is happy. Answers to this question will show how the hire will handle customer service issues.

    Sample Answer: If a customer complains about a product or service, I listen to them and try to figure out what went wrong. Then I try to fix it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to listen to customers
    • - Ability to solve customer problems
    • - Willingness to make changes to improve customer experience

  • Question: What kind of indicators did your previous company use to monitor your work progress?
  • Question Overview: General managers are responsible for the work of their teams. They must be able to monitor their team's progress and make adjustments as necessary. This question helps you learn how the hire keeps track of their team's work and makes adjustments to improve efficiency.

    Sample Answer: I keep track of my team's progress by meeting with them regularly to discuss their work. I also use metrics that we set up together to measure our progress.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of monitoring progress
    • - Strategies used to adjust work
    • - Anecdotes regarding communication and interpersonal skills

  • Question: What is your proudest accomplishment?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often responsible for the success of their team. They should be able to take pride in their work and the work of their team. This question helps you learn how the hire feels about their own accomplishments and how they feel about the accomplishments of others.

    Sample Answer: I'm most proud of my team's work on a project that helped us save money and increase revenue.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of proud accomplishments
    • - Ability to take responsibility for successes
    • - Ability to take responsibility for failures

  • Question: How do you motivate your team members to achieve the goals of the property?
  • Question Overview: General managers are responsible for the success of their team. They must motivate their team members to achieve the goals of the property. This question helps you learn how the hire motivates others.

    Sample Answer: I try to motivate my team members by showing them how their work is important to the success of the property.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of motivating teams
    • - Ability to inspire team members
    • - Willingness to change management style to meet target goals

  • Question: What are the ways to bring cohesiveness in a team?
  • Question Overview: A good general manager should be able to bring a team together and keep them focused on the goals at hand. This question helps you understand how the hire might do this.

    Sample Answer: I try to get to know each member of my team personally. I also try to make sure that everyone is working toward the same goal.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of team building
    • - Ability to work with different personality types
    • - Willingness to change management style to meet target goals

  • Question: How would you use a P&L to influence business decisions?
  • Question Overview: A P&L is a financial statement that shows how much money a company has made or lost over a certain period of time. It is a good idea to ask your general manager how they would use this information to make business decisions. Answers to this question will help you determine how the candidate thinks about the bottom line.

    Sample Answer: I would look at the P&L and see where we are making money and where we aren't. I would then look at the areas that aren't making money and see if there are ways we can improve them.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to analyze P&L
    • - Ability to use P&L to make decisions
    • - Willingness to make decisions based on P&L

  • Question: How would you reduce attrition in your membership sales?
  • Question Overview: As a general manager, you might be tasked with increasing membership sales in your company. One way to do this is to reduce attrition. This question helps you learn how the hire might go about this process.

    Sample Answer: I would make sure that we are offering the best possible service to our members. I would also make sure that we are offering new incentives for people to stay with us.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Strategies for reducing attrition
    • - Examples of reducing attrition
    • - How the hire keeps track of attrition

  • Question: What is your job experience?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often the ones who are in charge of the day-to-day operations of a company. They are in charge of making sure that the company is running smoothly and efficiently. This question helps you learn more about the candidate's experience and how they have handled different situations.

    Sample Answer: I've been a general manager for the past three years at a small company. I've been in charge of hiring, firing, and training new employees. I've also been in charge of scheduling and delegating work to employees.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific examples of job duties
    • - How the candidate handled difficult situations
    • - How the candidate managed teams

  • Question: How did you hear about this job?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see if the candidate has done their homework. It's a good idea to see if they have researched your company and the position before applying.

    Sample Answer: I read about your company in the newspaper and decided to apply.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The candidate's research into the company
    • - The candidate's research into the position
    • - The candidate's research into the industry

  • Question: How would you handle a dispute between yourself and senior level leadership?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often in the middle of disputes between themselves and their superiors. They must be able to work with senior leadership to resolve these issues. Answers to this question will help you learn how the hire might handle these situations.

    Sample Answer: I would make sure that I understand the issue from both sides and then try to find a solution that works for everyone.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work with senior leadership
    • - Willingness to take on difficult tasks
    • - Ability to compromise

  • Question: What do you know about our competitors?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often in charge of keeping tabs on the competition. They should know what their competitors' strengths and weaknesses are, and how their company stacks up. Answers to this question will help you determine if the hire is a good fit for your company.

    Sample Answer: I know that our competitors are a small company that has been in business for over 30 years. They have a lot of experience in the industry.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of competitors
    • - Ability to analyze competitors
    • - Ability to stay on top of competitor's movements

  • Question: Tell us about your experience in managing people.
  • Question Overview: General managers are responsible for managing teams of people. This question helps you learn how the candidate has managed people in the past. Answers to this question will show you how the hire has dealt with difficult employees, how they have motivated their teams, and how they have handled conflict.

    Sample Answer: I have had to deal with a few difficult employees in my time. I try to be understanding and work with them to get them to do what needs to be done.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of conflict resolution
    • - Examples of motivating employees
    • - Examples of dealing with difficult employees

  • Question: How many people have you managed in the past?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often responsible for managing a team of people. The more people they manage, the more experience they have. This question helps you understand how much experience the potential hire has.

    Sample Answer: I've managed about ten people in the past.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Number of people managed
    • - Number of teams managed
    • - Length of time managing people