17 House Manager Interview Questions and Answers

House managers are responsible for the overall operation of a household. They hire and supervise staff, manage the budget, and make sure the home is run in an efficient and organized manner. As the head of the household, the house manager is also responsible for the safety and well-being of the family and their guests.

If you’re looking for a house manager job, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you’ll be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of questions and answers that you can use to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working with all kinds of people?

House managers often work with a variety of people, including housekeeping staff, maintenance workers and other management employees. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the interpersonal skills necessary for the job. In your answer, explain that you enjoy working with all kinds of people. Explain that you are willing to help anyone who needs it.

Example: “I am definitely comfortable working with all kinds of people. I’ve worked in many different environments throughout my career, so I know how to communicate with everyone from customers to coworkers. I always try to be friendly and helpful when talking to others. If someone has questions or concerns, I will do whatever I can to address them.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a house manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to be successful in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest qualities that make you qualified for this position.

Example: “I believe some of the most important qualities for a house manager are organization, communication skills and problem-solving skills. As a house manager, I would need to keep track of many different tasks and projects while communicating with staff members and residents. In my previous role as an assistant house manager, I was responsible for helping the house manager solve problems and answer questions from residents. This helped me develop these skills.”

How would you deal with a situation where a resident is not complying with the building’s rules?

House managers are responsible for enforcing the rules of their building. This question helps employers understand how you would handle a challenging situation with one of your residents. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to resolve the issue and ensure it does not happen again.

Example: “I have worked in several buildings where we had strict noise ordinances. If I encountered a resident who was violating these rules, I would first speak with them about the problem. If they were unaware that they were making too much noise, I would educate them on the rules and ask them to be more aware of their volume. If they continued to make excessive noise, I would write them a warning letter. After two warnings, I would call security to escort them from the property.”

What is your experience with property management software?

House managers often use software to keep track of their residents’ needs and requests. They also use it to manage the property’s finances, schedule maintenance staff and more. An interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with using house management software. Use your answer to explain which software you’re familiar with and why you prefer it over other options.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of property management software in my previous roles as a house manager. I find that one of the most useful features is its ability to create detailed reports for owners. For example, when an owner wants to know how many complaints we received from tenants last month, I can easily pull up the information they need. Another benefit of property management software is that it allows me to collaborate with my team members on projects.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client.

As a house manager, you may have to deal with difficult customers or clients. Employers ask this question to make sure that you can handle these situations well and remain calm. In your answer, try to show that you are able to stay professional while also being empathetic.

Example: “I once had a client who was very demanding. She would call me several times a day asking for updates on the cleaning schedule and other things. I tried my best to be polite but firm when talking to her. Eventually, she started calling less often. I think she realized that I was doing everything in my power to help her.”

If you had to hire new staff members, what would be your approach?

Hiring new staff members is an important part of being a house manager. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with hiring and interviewing candidates for open positions. Use your answer to explain how you would go about finding the best possible employees. Explain that you would look for people who are hardworking, dependable and trustworthy.

Example: “I would start by looking at our current staffing needs. I would then create a job posting and post it on several different websites. I would also send out emails to local colleges and universities to let them know we’re hiring. After receiving applications, I would review each one carefully and call in those who seem like they’d be good fits for us. I would schedule interviews with these applicants and meet with them face-to-face to get to know them better.”

What would you do if you noticed that a resident was violating one of the building’s policies?

House managers are responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations of their building. An interviewer may ask this question to learn how you would handle a situation like this if it ever occurred in their community. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure that you follow proper protocol while also maintaining positive relationships with residents.

Example: “If I noticed a resident was violating one of our policies, I would first speak with them privately about the issue. If they were unaware of the policy or unable to comply, I would document the violation and send them a written warning. If they continued to violate the policy after receiving the warning, I would contact my supervisor so we could discuss appropriate next steps.”

How well do you handle stress?

House managers often have to handle a lot of stress. They are responsible for managing the house, making sure all staff members do their jobs and ensuring that guests have an enjoyable experience. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle stress well. In your answer, explain how you manage stress in your life. Share what techniques you use to stay calm when things get hectic.

Example: “I am very good at handling stress. I know that sometimes there is too much going on at once, but I always try my best to keep everything under control. When I feel stressed, I take a few deep breaths to relax myself. Then, I prioritize tasks so I can focus on the most important ones first. This helps me get through the day without feeling overwhelmed.”

Do you have any experience with maintenance or repair work?

House managers often need to know how to fix small problems in the house. This question helps employers see if you have any experience with maintenance or repair work and whether you can do it yourself or if you would need help from other employees. If you don’t have any experience, you can talk about your willingness to learn new skills.

Example: “I’ve never done any major repairs myself, but I am willing to learn. In my previous position as a house manager, I had an employee who was very good at fixing things around the house. When there were issues, I asked him for advice on what to do. He taught me some basic skills that helped me understand how to handle smaller repairs.”

When dealing with multiple tasks, how do you prioritize your work?

House managers often have multiple responsibilities to complete each day. Employers ask this question to learn more about your time management skills and how you plan out your schedule. In your answer, explain a method or system you use to prioritize your tasks. You can also mention any tools that help you stay organized.

Example: “I find it helpful to create a daily to-do list where I write down all of my tasks for the day. Then, I sort these tasks into categories based on their urgency. For example, I separate urgent tasks from non-urgent ones. This helps me make sure I am always working on something important while still being able to take care of smaller tasks throughout the day.”

We want to improve our customer service. Give me an example of how you would implement a change that would improve the resident experience.

House managers are responsible for ensuring their residents have a positive experience. Employers ask this question to learn how you would implement change in the house management department. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to improve customer service and create a more positive environment for residents.

Example: “I believe that improving customer service starts with hiring the right people. I would start by making sure our hiring process is thorough. I would also make it clear that we value communication skills and empathy when interviewing candidates. This way, we can ensure we hire individuals who will treat our residents well.

Another thing I would do to improve customer service is hold regular meetings with my team members. During these meetings, I would discuss any concerns they have about the job or the company. I would also use these meetings as an opportunity to give them feedback on their performance. By holding regular meetings, I can help my team feel supported and appreciated.”

Describe your experience with property management software.

House managers often use software to keep track of tenant information, maintenance requests and other important details. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with property management software and how you would handle using it in their company. In your answer, describe the type of software you’ve used before and what you liked or disliked about it. Explain that you’re willing to learn new software if necessary.

Example: “I have worked for two different companies where we used a property management system. I found both systems easy to navigate and helpful when managing multiple properties. However, I did find one system easier to use than the other. It was more user-friendly and had better customer support. If you use a similar system, I’m confident I can quickly become familiar with it.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention something that relates to the job description.

Example: “I have five years of housekeeping experience, but I’m also trained in event planning. This means I am familiar with many aspects of the hospitality industry and know what it takes to run an efficient hotel. In my previous role as a housekeeper, I learned how to multitask and work under pressure. These skills make me a great candidate for this position because I understand the importance of organization and time management.”

Which other properties have you managed?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it relates to the position you’re interviewing for. If you have previous house management experience, be sure to highlight any skills or experiences that are relevant to this role.

Example: “I’ve worked as a house manager at two other resorts in Florida. I was responsible for managing staff schedules, hiring new employees and training existing ones. I also oversaw all aspects of guest satisfaction, including answering questions about amenities and resolving issues with their stay. In both roles, I helped increase revenue by 10% within my first year.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of a house manager’s job?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what house managers do and how their job impacts the rest of the staff. Your answer should include a brief description of your role as a house manager, including some examples of how you’ve performed this function in previous roles.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of being a house manager is ensuring that all of the guests have a positive experience at the hotel. To do this, I make sure that my team has everything they need to provide excellent service to our customers. For example, when I was working at the Marriott Hotel, I noticed that one of the servers had forgotten to bring silverware to a table with two guests who ordered entrees. I asked another server if she could help out by bringing extra utensils to the table so that the other server wouldn’t get in trouble for forgetting. The customer ended up leaving us a five-star review on Yelp because of our excellent service.”

How often do you perform routine checks on the building?

House managers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their residents. This question helps employers determine how much experience you have performing routine checks on the building and if you understand what to look for during these inspections. Use your answer to highlight your attention to detail, ability to multitask and commitment to keeping residents safe.

Example: “I perform routine checks at least once a day. I start with a walkthrough of all common areas in the morning when most residents are still sleeping. Then, I check each individual unit before breakfast is served. During my lunch break, I do another walkthrough of the entire building. If I notice anything out of place or unusual, I immediately report it to the property manager.”

There is a bug infestation in one of the units. How do you handle it?

Bugs are a common problem in many apartment complexes. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle this situation and if you have any experience with it. If you do, share your previous experience. If not, explain what steps you would take to solve the issue.

Example: “I’ve had an infestation before at my last job. I first called our pest control company to come out and inspect the property. They told me which units were affected and gave us instructions on how to treat them. We then treated all of the affected units and waited for the pests to die off. After that, we inspected each unit again to make sure there weren’t any more bugs.”