Interview questions for IT Management

1. What is your technical background, if any?

This is quite a common question when applying for IT manager roles, so make sure you have a list of your previous technical roles handy if this applies to you. Most IT managers get to the role of management through years of technical work, progressing from technicians to system administrators and so on. You can speak about your experience with supporting specific environments and products. Don’t be afraid to ask what systems they are currently running, how many sites they maintain and other similar questions.
The question itself shows that this particular role may want you to have a specific practical knowledge of certain systems or products, in which case they have probably highlighted this in the original job posting. Let them know what you can and cannot do and see what their reaction is. You never want to exaggerate your technical abilities in an interview as it will always come back to haunt you when you start the job, especially if you have no idea how to do what is required of you.

2. How do you handle the pressure?

I stay calm under pressure and handle it well. My complete focus is on the job done.
What is the most challenging thing about being a manager?
The most challenging thing about being a manager is also the most rewarding. It is easy to handle your performance, however, as a manager, you are responsible for your teams. So you must continually measure their performance, set clear expectations, goals, motivate them, and keep them focused. It is a great feeling to be able to accomplish this.

3. Are you hands-on with technical problems?

IT managers who made their way up the ladder from the technical departments will sometimes still prefer to look at serious issues themselves before delegating the task to the rest of the team. This is a double-edged sword in some ways, because managers don’t necessarily need to get involved with daily operational issues. On the other hand, if you are the most experienced member of your team then the value that you bring to the IT department is that much more impressive.
You will be able to gauge the requirements of the interview as you progress through it, so your answer will be determined largely by the expectations that are laid out for you. Ask questions about how many technical tasks the current IT manager performs, if any. If you think it is going to benefit your candidacy, then you can mention your various technical skills and how you can save the department money and add extra skills to the organization.

4. During the planning phase of a past project, how did you allocate a budget?

IT managers meet with clients to set up a budget for each project. The manager then reviews the requirements for the project and allocates funds appropriately to stay within the project’s budgetary constraints and control overall costs. The ideal candidate will understand how to complete tasks and avoid overspending when completing complex IT projects.
During the planning phase of a past project, I identified the client’s budget and reviewed changes to control costs. I then allocated funds for each project requirement to cover expenses according to its budgetary constraints. Any changes that required an increase in the budget were approved by the client before I proceeded with the project.

5. How do you motivate yourself?

I am very self-motivated. I enjoy my work, so I am always looking for new ideas to bring to the table. With my passion being the work that I do, I am always giving my full potential to all my tasks.

6. Why are you leaving your current position?

There isn’t much growth opportunity at my current workplace, and I’m ready for a new challenge

7. What value would you bring to the IT department?

Think about your past achievements in your current role, especially where you were able to save costs, improve efficiencies and improve staff morale. These are all the hallmarks of an effective IT manager, and if you have examples of these kinds of results in your current role or previous ones, then go ahead and share some details with the interviewers. An efficient IT department with proactive and happy staff is a real asset to any company, so try to highlight these areas of achievement wherever possible.

8. How did you create IT policies for your previous organization to comply with new standards?

It’s the role of the IT manager to create new policies when IT standards, regulations or laws are changed. The policies show workers how to use information systems and IT-related business services according to the changes. A skilled candidate understands how important compliance with standards is to your company.
Upon reviewing new IT standards and practices, I developed company IT policies and controls to ensure compliance and prevent violations. I also provided training for the staff to implement the changes into everyday practices.

9. What is your view on employee ups-killing and studying?

A big part of your job as IT manager will be fostering the personal growth of your employees as they work in your department. The general trend internationally is to provide support for on-the-job training with time off and study aid assistance, but this is not the standard everywhere. Find out about the company policy and see how that fits in with your own work philosophy. The general rule of thumb with a question like this is that if the company isn’t interested in training, then they probably wouldn’t bring it up in an interview.
The question is aimed at finding out how you think about your IT staff career progression. Many smaller companies fear that the time and investment that they put into IT personnel is wasted, because in most cases they either leave for greener pastures or are headhunted by talent agencies.
Explain the steps for recommending new software for an organization as an IT manager.
An IT manager conducts reviews of the current software used by an organization and how it’s used. They use the answers to the questions to determine the exact type of software needed. A candidate should be able to recommend new software if the current installation is outdated and technology is available that would improve how your company completes daily IT-related tasks. I would assess the accessibility, functionality and reliability of the existing software. Next, I’d review which services are connected to the systems and identify the type of software needed by the organization. My findings would determine if upgrades or major changes are required to streamline the organization’s IT services.