18 General Manager Interview Questions and Answers

A general manager oversees all aspects of a business, from the production of goods and services to human resources and marketing. They make sure that the company is running smoothly and that its employees are productive. In order to become a general manager, you need to be able to answer a range of interview questions.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of general manager interview questions and answers. These questions will help you prepare for your interview by giving you an idea of what to expect.

What qualities do you think are necessary for a successful general manager?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your skills and abilities match those of their company. It’s important to show that you have a passion for management, but it’s also helpful to mention other qualities like communication or leadership.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities is being able to communicate effectively with employees and customers. I’ve found that when I’m able to clearly explain my expectations and goals, it helps everyone work together more efficiently. Another quality I find essential in a general manager is flexibility. As a business owner, you need to be willing to change your plans as needed. Being flexible allows me to make decisions quickly and ensure our team has everything they need.”

What do you think are the biggest challenges that a general manager faces?

This question can help an interviewer understand your perspective on the role of a general manager. It can also show them how you might approach these challenges in your own work as a general manager. When answering this question, it can be helpful to identify two or three challenges that you have faced and explain how you overcame them.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges for a general manager is balancing their time between managing employees and overseeing operations. I’ve found that setting aside specific times during the day to focus on each of these responsibilities helps me stay organized and productive throughout my workday. Another challenge I’ve encountered is hiring new employees. I find that creating a clear job description and making sure all applicants meet the qualifications can help ensure we hire the right person for the position.”

What strategies would you use to increase sales and revenue?

General managers are responsible for increasing sales and revenue. This question helps employers determine if you have a plan to increase their company’s success. Use examples from your experience that show how you can help the company grow.

Example: “I would implement strategies that encourage customers to buy more products or services. I would also use marketing techniques to attract new customers. For example, when I was working as a regional manager, we had a store with low sales. I worked with my team to create an ad campaign that targeted people who were likely to shop at our store. We used social media ads and search engine optimization to reach these potential customers. As a result, we saw a 10% increase in sales.”

How would you improve customer service within your company?

Customer service is an important aspect of any business, and the interviewer may ask this question to see how you would improve customer satisfaction within their company. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills and ability to delegate tasks to others.

Example: “I believe that customer service starts with the general manager because they set the tone for the rest of the team. I would make it a priority to greet every single customer who came into my store or restaurant. If someone had a complaint, I would listen carefully and try to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. To ensure that all employees are providing excellent customer service, I would hold weekly meetings where we discussed ways to better serve our customers.”

What policies or procedures would you implement to help improve employee retention rates?

General managers often have the ability to create policies and procedures that help improve employee retention rates. This is because they can implement programs or initiatives that make their company a more desirable place to work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight your leadership skills by describing how you would create these policies and procedures.

Example: “I believe one of the best ways to improve employee retention rates is through effective communication. I would hold regular meetings with my team members so we could discuss any issues or concerns they may have. In addition, I would encourage open lines of communication between employees and management so everyone feels comfortable voicing their opinions. Another way I would improve employee retention rates is by creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel like they are part of the team.”

How do you handle stress and pressure when making decisions?

General managers often have to make important decisions quickly. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle stress and pressure in a way that doesn’t negatively impact your decision-making abilities. In your answer, explain how you stay calm under pressure and focus on making the best possible choice for the company.

Example: “I find that I perform best when I take time to think through my options before making a final decision. When I’m stressed or feeling pressured, I try to remind myself that rushing my decision could lead to mistakes. Instead, I take deep breaths and allow myself some quiet time to reflect on what’s most important about the situation. This helps me remain calm and focused so I can make smart choices.”

What have you done in your previous roles to increase efficiency and productivity within the company?

General managers are responsible for making sure their team members are productive and efficient. Employers ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you can help them achieve company goals. In your answer, explain two or three ways you’ve helped improve efficiency in the workplace.

Example: “In my previous role as a marketing manager, I noticed that our social media accounts weren’t reaching all of our target audience. So, I created a plan to increase our reach by 10% within six months. We met this goal early, and we were able to attract new customers who fit into our ideal demographic. This led to an increase in sales.”

How do you manage and motivate your employees to achieve the company’s goals?

General managers are responsible for motivating their employees to achieve the company’s goals. Employers ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you motivate others. In your answer, explain what motivates you and how you use that motivation to help your team succeed.

Example: “I believe that a manager’s success is dependent on the success of their team. I am always looking for ways to improve my employees’ performance so they can reach their full potential. To do this, I hold weekly meetings with each department to discuss our progress toward reaching the company’s goals. I also offer training opportunities to help my employees develop new skills and advance in their careers.”

Can you give me an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision?

General managers often have to make tough decisions that can affect the entire company. Employers ask this question to learn more about your decision-making skills and how you handle pressure. When answering this question, try to think of a specific example from your past where you had to make a difficult choice. Explain what factors contributed to your decision and how it impacted the organization.

Example: “In my last role as general manager, I had to decide whether or not to fire an employee who was consistently late to work. This employee was one of our best salespeople, but their tardiness was affecting their performance. After talking with them about their behavior, they agreed to change their ways. However, if they were late again, I would have no choice but to terminate their employment.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of running a successful business?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your management style and how you prioritize tasks. Your answer should reflect your personal values, but it can also be an opportunity to highlight any skills or experiences that are relevant to the job.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of running a successful business is creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. I believe that happy employees make for happy customers, so I always try to create opportunities for my team members to grow both personally and professionally. For example, at my last company, we offered regular training sessions on customer service techniques and provided our employees with free snacks and coffee in the break room.”

How would you deal with an employee dispute?

General managers often have to resolve conflicts between employees. Employers ask this question to see how you would handle a challenging situation like this one. In your answer, explain the steps you would take to solve the problem and keep it from happening again.

Example: “I once had an employee who was constantly late for work. I spoke with him about his behavior several times, but he didn’t change his ways. Eventually, I fired him because of his repeated tardiness. After firing him, I realized that I should have handled the situation differently. I should have given him more warnings before letting him go. Now, if I ever find myself in a similar situation, I will give the employee multiple warnings before terminating them.”

What steps would you take to improve the quality of products or services within your company?

This question can help interviewers understand your management style and how you would apply it to their company. Use examples from previous positions where you helped improve quality or customer service, such as implementing new training programs or hiring more employees.

Example: “In my last position, I noticed that our customers were having trouble finding the products they wanted in our stores. To solve this problem, I hired a marketing team to create an online catalog of all our products so customers could browse before coming into the store. This allowed us to hire more sales associates who could focus on helping customers find what they needed rather than searching for items.”

What do you think is the key to maintaining good customer relationships?

General managers often have to interact with customers, so the interviewer may ask you this question to see how you would handle customer service situations. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively.

Example: “I think that maintaining good customer relationships is all about communication. I make it a point to listen carefully to what my customers are saying and respond in an empathetic way. When I can put myself in their shoes, I am better able to understand their concerns and find solutions for them. In my last role as a general manager, I had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their order on time. I apologized for the inconvenience and offered them a discount on their next purchase.”

What role does technology play in your management style?

Technology is an important part of business today, and the interviewer may want to know how you use technology in your role as a general manager. Use examples from previous experiences to show that you can effectively manage employees while using technology.

Example: “I believe technology plays a vital role in my management style because it allows me to communicate with my team members more efficiently. In my last position, I used Slack to send messages to my team about company updates or changes in schedules. This allowed everyone on the team to stay informed and ask questions if they needed clarification. It also helped me learn what challenges my team was facing so I could help them resolve any issues.”

How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends?

General managers need to be aware of the latest trends in their industry. Employers ask this question to see if you are actively looking for ways to improve your skills and knowledge as a leader. Show them that you have an active interest in learning more about your field. Explain how you stay up-to-date with news, blogs or social media accounts related to your industry.

Example: “I am passionate about my career, so I always make sure to read articles and blogs from experts in my field. I also subscribe to several newsletters that provide tips on improving customer service and sales techniques. I find these resources very helpful when making decisions at work. In fact, I used one blog post to create a new training program for our team.”

What are your thoughts on agile workforces?

Agile workforces are a growing trend in the business world. Employers ask this question to see if you’re familiar with agile workforces and how they can benefit their company. In your answer, explain what an agile workforce is and why it’s beneficial for businesses. Explain that you’ve used agile workforces before and describe the benefits of doing so.

Example: “Agile workforces are highly effective because they allow teams to collaborate more effectively. When I was working as a project manager at my previous job, we implemented agile workforces into our department. This allowed us to create better strategies for completing projects on time. It also helped us communicate more efficiently by using tools like Slack. As a result, we were able to complete projects faster than ever before.”

How do you create a culture of trust and transparency within your team?

General managers need to be able to inspire their teams and create a culture of trust. This question helps the interviewer assess your ability to lead others by example. Use examples from past experiences where you’ve created a positive work environment for your team members.

Example: “I believe that trust is one of the most important aspects of any successful business. When I first started managing my team, I made it a point to meet with each employee individually to learn more about them and what they needed to succeed at work. As we got to know each other better, employees felt more comfortable approaching me if they had questions or concerns. We also implemented an open-door policy so anyone could approach me at any time.”

What does excellent customer service mean to you?

Customer service is an important part of any general manager’s job. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand what excellent customer service looks like and how it can benefit their company. In your answer, explain what makes customers happy and why that’s important for the business. Share a story about a time when you provided excellent customer service or helped someone else do so.

Example: “Excellent customer service means making sure every customer feels welcome in our establishment. It means going above and beyond to help them find exactly what they’re looking for. For me, providing excellent customer service means listening to my customers and finding out what they need. I recently had a customer who was upset because she didn’t get her usual order. Instead of just giving her a new one, I asked her questions to figure out what she wanted. She ended up being very happy with the extra attention I gave her.”