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: What is your favorite movie?
  • Question Overview: This is a simple question that can help you learn more about your potential hire. It is a good idea to ask questions that will give you a better idea of the person's personality and interests.

    Sample Answer: My favorite movie is "The Shawshank Redemption."

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Favorite movie
    • - Favorite actor/actress
    • - Favorite genre

  • Question: What is the most important characteristic that you use to select a team member?
  • Question Overview: As a general manager, you will be responsible for hiring new team members. You should have a good idea of what you are looking for in a new hire. Answers to this question will help you understand how the hire selects new team members.

    Sample Answer: I look for someone who is willing to work hard and is a good team player.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Skills needed for the job
    • - Personality traits that will fit in with the rest of the team
    • - Ability to complete tasks

  • Question: How would you handle conflict among co workers?
  • Question Overview: As a general manager, you may need to mediate conflicts among your team. This question helps you determine how the potential hire would handle these situations.

    Sample Answer: I would try to understand what each person is saying and why they are saying it. I would try to get everyone on the same page.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm in conflict situations
    • - Ability to listen to all sides of an argument
    • - Ability to mediate conflict

  • Question: How do you think we acquire most of our customers?
  • Question Overview: A good general manager should be able to analyze the company's current customer acquisition methods and determine whether they are working well. Answers to this question will help you understand how the hire might improve your company's customer acquisition strategy.

    Sample Answer: I think we acquire most of our customers through word of mouth.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to analyze current methods
    • - Willingness to change customer acquisition strategy
    • - Ability to think critically about marketing

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: This is a classic interview question. Hiring managers want to know what the candidate considers their best and worst qualities. This question is designed to see how well the candidate can self-assess.

    Sample Answer: I'm very organized and detail oriented. I'm also a bit of a perfectionist.

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

  • Question: What is your approach to the sales process?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often responsible for the sales process. They should be able to analyze the sales process and determine how to improve it. Answers to this question will show how the candidate approaches sales.

    Sample Answer: I like to analyze the sales process and see what can be improved. I like to look at our competitors and see what they are doing that we aren't.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to analyze sales process
    • - Ability to improve sales process
    • - Willingness to change sales process

  • Question: How does your previous experience help you in this position?
  • Question Overview: General managers are often promoted from within. They have experience with the company's products and services, and they know the company's culture. Answers to this question will help you determine if your candidate is a good fit for your company.

    Sample Answer: My experience as a general manager at Company X has given me a lot of insight into how this position works. I know what it takes to get things done in this industry.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of how the candidate's previous experience relates to the job
    • - Ability to work with different types of people
    • - Willingness to learn new skills

  • Question: What makes you better than the other candidates we are interviewing for this position?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that is designed to get the candidate to talk about their strengths. It is a good idea to ask this question at the end of the interview, so that you can see how the candidate thinks on their feet. Answers to this question will give you a sense of how well the candidate can sell themselves.

    Sample Answer: I have a lot of experience with managing teams and delegating tasks. I am also very good at staying on top of my employees and making sure they are meeting their goals.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of past successes
    • - Ability to communicate personal strengths

  • Question: Tell me about your sales experience.
  • Question Overview: A general manager might be responsible for the sales of a company's products or services. This question will help you learn how the hire's experience in this area might be an asset to your company.

    Sample Answer: I've been in charge of a team that was responsible for selling our company's products to retail stores. We had to make sure we were getting the best possible price for our products and that the stores were getting the best possible service.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of sales experience
    • - Ability to sell ideas
    • - Ability to sell products and services

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to resolve conflict.
  • Question Overview: General managers must be able to resolve conflict in a way that is fair and beneficial to the company. This question helps you understand how the candidate might handle this situation.

    Sample Answer: I once had a situation where two members of my team were arguing over a project. I sat down with them and explained that they both had valid points, and I asked them to work together to find a solution.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to resolve conflict
    • - Ability to communicate with different types of people
    • - Ability to stay calm under pressure