Interview questions for Manager

1. What strategies do you use to motivate staff members?

Key steps to successful motivation include:
• spend time with each employee to find out their needs and what motivates them
• individualize the motivation strategy in line with what works for each person
Provide concrete examples of motivational, programs tools and techniques you have used. Tried and tested examples include:
• provide regular positive feedback – recognition and praise are powerful motivators
• encourage development and help them learn new skills and knowledge, invest in training and coaching
• actively involve staff members in decision-making
• show your have confidence in them by allowing them to take responsibility for tasks, areas of the store, displays etc
• provide meaningful monetary rewards ranging from gift cards to bonuses
• provide non-monetary rewards such as time off

2. Can You Keep Records Fully Confidential?

With some professions, it is relieving and sometimes even rewarding to discuss the happenings of the day with friends and family members. However, when it comes to bookkeeping, there is very little that you will be able to discuss. Working within this field involves handling the company or client’s finances, and this is very sensitive information. Although some of it may be released as public record due to federal law, individual entries and expenditures are often completely classified. Your employer will ask this question in order to determine your loyalty, and you should assure your interviewer that you understand the sensitivity of certain pieces of information.

3. How To Rank The Following In Order Of Importance For Business Success: Sales, Teamwork, Quality, Integrity, Profitability, Service?

There isn’t a right or wrong answer to this question, but it will indicate whether the candidate is aligned with your business culture and also demonstrate critical thinking skills. Look for a justification for why they answered the way they did. Does it line up with how you would answer the question? For example, if they say Profitability is the most important. Why is that the case? If they say teamwork is least important, you probably want to dig a little deeper if teamwork is high on your priority list.
A bookkeeper would preferably list profitability lower on the list because you want to know that they are considering the whole business, not just their job. You would also want to see integrity high on the list. Do you really want a bookkeeper who doesn’t value integrity.

4. How do you train and develop staff members?

Key steps to effective training include:
• take the time to assess skill and knowledge needs for each staff member
• tailor the training and coaching to meet individual needs
• use a mix of learning tools such as providing information, demonstrating tasks, role playing, one-on-one coaching
• enhance self esteem throughout the training process
• ensure proper reinforcement and transfer of the learning in the store
The training should meet both the employee’s developmental needs and help meet the store and company objectives.

5. Which Software Are You Familiar With?

Gone are the days of keeping endless paper records; most of today’s bookkeeping is done completely electronically. Most of your clients will require you to have plenty of experience with a program like Microsoft Excel, Bookkeeper, Quick Books or Peach tree. You should first mention the programs that you are familiar with and then go on to describe the amount of experience you have with each one.
If you are not familiar with the program used by your prospective employer, point out that you are very proficient with computers and that you will be able to learn the ins and outs of the software very quickly.

6. How do you delegate tasks?

Criteria for effective delegation includes:
• targeting tasks and assignments to appropriate staff members
• making proper use of each individual’s strengths and skills
• clearly communicating expectations and outcomes to the staff member
• ensuring the staff member has the right resources to complete the task
• ensuring the staff member clearly understand what needs to be done and the importance of the task
• following up appropriately on task completion

7. How Many Gas Stations (or Coffee Shops, Etc) Do You Think There Are In Our (or Your) Country?

With this question, we’re looking for good critical thinking skills. It’s not okay to just guess a number with no explanation or to say they would “google” it. You want the candidate to have a process for getting to their guess, no matter how far off it is. There are this many gas stations in my town, I would guess this many towns in my state.

8. Tell Me In Cash Basis Accounting, How To Record A $1200 Annual Insurance Premium?

The right answer for cash basis is debit insurance expense $1200, credit cash or accounts payable. All bookkeepers should get this right.

9. What steps do you take to ensure task completion?

This store manager interview question is used to evaluate that you have the proper procedures in place to monitor your team and tasks. In your interview answer focus on:
• establishing follow up times and methods
• reviewing and confirming progress
• getting feedback from staff members

10. What steps have you taken to establish good communication with your team?

• adjusting your communication style to meet the needs of each team member
• listening closely and seeing the situation from each staff member’s perspective
• specific mechanisms you have implemented to facilitate ongoing communication.

11. How to create a drop-down list so that users cannot enter unwanted data?

We can create a drop-down list to limit data entry using ‘Data Validation’. First of all, create a list that you want to use as a drop-down list. Then go to Menu bar>Data>Data Validation. From the drop-down click ‘data validation’ and in settings select Allow: list. A source area will appear. Clicking on the source area, select the list of data you created at first and press OK.

12. What key metrics do you use to inform strategy?

Retail and store management is largely data-driven. It is essential to understand key metrics such as:
• sales per square foot
• sales per employee
• conversion rate
• gross and net profit
• average transaction value
• sales growth
• inventory turnover
• sell through
• shrinkage
• foot traffic
• customer retention

13. What are the advantages of management information systems in a business?

In business, MIS offers the following types of advantages: Single database access to all stakeholders• Saves time of managers from operational work which can be utilized in other productive• tasks Enhance the power of data and helps in decision making• Ensures a high degree of accuracy• Reduces the paperwork• Helps in making easy to digest reports• States the current financial position of the company to business leaders• Offers competitive advantage•

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