17 Self Storage Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Self storage is a booming industry, and people are always looking for reliable and affordable storage solutions. That’s where self storage managers come in. They’re responsible for the day-to-day operations of a self storage facility, from renting units to maintaining the property and ensuring customer satisfaction.

If you’re interested in becoming a self storage manager, you’ll need to be able to answer a range of questions during your job interview. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the most common self storage manager interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the self storage industry?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience in the industry. If you have previous experience working in a self storage facility, share what you learned during that time and how it helped prepare you for this role. If you don’t have any prior experience, explain why you’re interested in learning more about the industry.

Example: “I worked as an assistant manager at a local grocery store while I was in college. During my time there, we had a lot of customers who would come in to buy groceries but didn’t want to carry them home. We started offering free self storage until they were ready to pick up their items again. This experience taught me how important customer service is when working in retail.”

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

This question can help the interviewer determine if you possess the skills and abilities needed to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of these qualities and explain why they are important.

Example: “I believe that one of the most important qualities for a self storage manager is problem-solving ability. This skill helps me find solutions to issues when they arise. Another quality I think is essential is communication. It’s important to communicate with customers and employees so everyone understands what’s going on. Finally, I think organization is vital because it allows me to keep track of all the tasks I need to complete.”

How would you deal with an emergency at the facility?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle unexpected situations. In your answer, describe a time when you had to manage an emergency and how you handled it.

Example: “When I worked at my previous self storage facility, we had a fire in one of our units. The unit was completely destroyed, but luckily no one was hurt. My first priority was evacuating the surrounding units as quickly as possible. Then, I called the fire department and waited for them to arrive. Once they were on site, I helped direct their efforts by showing them where the fire started and which units were safe to enter. After the fire was out, I made sure all customers’ belongings were accounted for.”

What is your experience with property management software?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a specific software program that may be used at their facility. If you have experience using property management software, describe how it helped you complete your job duties. If you don’t have experience with this type of software, you can still answer by describing your general experience with computer programs and applications.

Example: “I’ve worked in self storage for five years now, and I’ve been using property management software since my first job. The software has made it much easier to keep track of all of our facilities’ financial records, including rent payments and customer deposits. It also helps me stay organized when entering data into multiple spreadsheets.”

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

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you handle conflict and whether or not you have the ability to diffuse it. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to resolve the situation.

Example: “In my previous role as a self storage manager, I had a tenant who was consistently late on their payments. When I would call them to remind them of their upcoming payment date, they would often become defensive and refuse to make any further payments until they were current. Eventually, I decided that I needed to speak with them in person.

I scheduled a meeting with them at our office and explained that we could no longer hold their belongings if they didn’t pay for them. After explaining the consequences of their actions, they agreed to start making monthly payments again.”

If a customer was unable to access their storage unit, how would you resolve the issue?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills and ability to resolve problems. Use examples from previous experience or explain how you would approach this situation if it had never happened before.

Example: “If a customer was unable to access their storage unit, I would first ask them for identification so that I could verify their identity. Then, I would call my manager to see if they have any additional information about the account. If we still cannot find the account after checking our records, I would contact the company who manages the facility’s security cameras to see if there is footage of when the customer last accessed their unit. This process may take some time, but I would do everything in my power to ensure the customer has access to their unit.”

What would you do if you noticed an infestation or mold in one of the units?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a potentially dangerous situation. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the safety of the unit and its contents while also keeping customers happy.

Example: “If I noticed an infestation or mold in one of the units, I would immediately contact the customer who rented the space. I would let them know that we were going to have to close their unit for a few days so that we could treat it with chemicals to kill any pests or mold. I would offer them a discount on their next month’s rent as compensation for the inconvenience.”

How well do you communicate with other staff members, such as customer service representatives and maintenance workers?

The self storage manager needs to be able to communicate effectively with all staff members. This question helps the interviewer determine how well you can work as part of a team and collaborate with others. Use examples from your experience to show that you are an effective communicator who is also empathetic and compassionate toward others.

Example: “I believe it’s important for everyone on the team to feel comfortable communicating their ideas, concerns or questions to me. I make sure to listen carefully to what they have to say and respond in a timely manner. In my last role, one of my employees was having trouble with her computer. She asked me if she could use mine while hers was being fixed. I told her that I would help her out however I could.”

Do you have any experience advertising or marketing self storage facilities?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have any experience with marketing and advertising. They want to know that you can help their facility get more customers, which is an important part of the job. In your answer, share a few strategies you used in previous jobs to advertise or market self storage facilities.

Example: “I’ve worked on several different marketing campaigns for my past employers. I helped create social media ads, wrote blog posts about our facilities and created email newsletters to send out to our customer lists. These are all great ways to reach new customers and keep existing ones happy.”

When is the best time to move a storage unit?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to manage a facility’s schedule and ensure customers are getting the best value for their money. Use your answer to highlight your organizational skills, attention to detail and customer service orientation.

Example: “The best time to move a storage unit is when there aren’t any other customers moving in or out of their units. This helps me make sure that I’m not disrupting another customer while also ensuring they don’t have to wait too long before accessing their unit. If possible, I try to schedule these moves during off-peak hours so it doesn’t disrupt our business as much.”

We want to improve our customer service ratings. What ideas do you have to help us do this?

Customer service is an important part of any business, and self storage facilities are no different. A hiring manager may ask this question to see if you have experience improving customer satisfaction ratings in the past. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to improve customer service at their facility.

Example: “I think one way we could improve our customer service ratings is by making sure all employees know how to interact with customers. I would hold a training session for new hires on how to help customers find the right unit size and price point. I would also make sure that all current employees attend refresher courses every year so they can stay up-to-date on company policies.”

Describe your experience with inventory management.

Self storage facilities often have a lot of inventory to keep track of, so employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with inventory management. Use your answer to explain how you would manage the facility’s inventory and ensure it stays organized.

Example: “In my last position as a self storage manager, I had to organize our entire inventory into categories based on what items were stored in each unit. This was challenging at first because we didn’t have an existing system for organizing the inventory, but once we started categorizing everything, it became much easier to find specific items when customers needed them. We also used barcode scanners to scan each item before putting it away, which helped us keep track of all of our inventory.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities.

Example: “I have five years of experience managing self storage facilities. In my previous position, I managed a team of three employees and increased revenue by 20% in one year. My leadership skills helped me achieve these results, as did my ability to motivate others and solve problems. These skills are what led me to apply for this position.”

Which self storage facility management software are you most familiar with using?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with self storage management software. If you have used multiple systems, explain which one is most effective for you and why.

Example: “I am most familiar with Storage Manager Pro because it’s the system I’ve been using at my current job. It has a lot of useful features that allow me to track inventory, monitor customer accounts and manage employee performance. The system also allows me to create reports that are easy to read and understand. One feature I like about this system is its ability to integrate with other business software programs.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when storing delicate items in a self storage unit?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can help customers store their items safely. You can answer this question by explaining what you would tell a customer about storing delicate items in a self storage unit.

Example: “I think it’s important to remember that not all self storage units are created equal, so I would explain to them that some facilities have better security features than others. For example, I would recommend they use a facility with 24-hour surveillance cameras if they’re storing expensive jewelry or antiques. I would also remind them to keep their valuables in a lockable storage unit.”

How often should you check on stored items to ensure they’re safe?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much time you’ll spend on site and if your responsibilities will require you to be there often. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of checking in regularly, but also that you have a plan for when you need to leave the facility unattended.

Example: “I believe it is important to check on stored items at least once per month. I would use this time to make sure all units are secure and that any damage or missing items are reported. If I am unable to visit the facility monthly, I would develop a system with my team members so we could ensure each other’s areas were being monitored.”

There is a bug infestation in one of the units. What is your process for handling this situation?

Bugs can be a common problem in self-storage facilities. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle this situation and if you have any experience with bugs in the past. If you do, explain what your process was for handling it.

Example: “I would first call the customer who has the unit to let them know about the issue. Then I would send an exterminator to treat the area. After that, I would check on the unit every day until the bug infestation is gone. Once the bugs are gone, I would make sure the unit is clean and ready for the customer.”