17 Shift Manager Interview Questions and Answers

As a shift manager, you’re responsible for the overall operation of your shift. This may include overseeing the production process, ensuring safety procedures are followed, managing inventory, and maintaining the quality of the products. In addition, you’re also responsible for scheduling staff, preparing reports, and ensuring that all the necessary paperwork is completed.

If you’re looking for a shift manager job, you’ll need to be able to answer questions about your experience, your management style, and your knowledge of the production process. You may also be asked behavioral questions to assess how you would handle different situations.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve gathered some sample questions and answers that will give you an idea of what to expect.

Are you comfortable managing a team of employees?

Shift managers often need to lead a team of employees. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience managing others and how comfortable you are with it. Use your answer to show that you enjoy working in a leadership role and can handle the responsibilities that come with it.

Example: “I’ve been leading teams for years, so I am very comfortable doing it. In my last position as a server, I was one of two shift leads. We were responsible for making sure our servers had everything they needed to provide excellent service to customers. We also helped train new hires and made sure everyone was following company policies. I really enjoyed being a shift lead because I got to use my management skills while still interacting with customers.”

What are some strategies you use to motivate your team?

Shift managers are responsible for motivating their team members to work hard and achieve company goals. Employers ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you motivate others. In your answer, explain two or three strategies you use to help your team be successful.

Example: “I believe that the best way to motivate my team is by being a good role model. I always try to show up to work on time, prepared and ready to work. If someone asks me a question, I make sure to take the time to thoroughly answer it. I also like to give praise when I see someone doing something well. For example, if someone has done an excellent job on a project, I will let them know in front of everyone else.”

How would you handle an employee who is not meeting the company’s standards?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your management style and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to hold employees accountable for their actions while also encouraging them to improve.

Example: “I have had to address an employee who was not meeting the company’s standards before, and I always make sure to do so in private. I explain what they did wrong and give them clear expectations of what they need to do differently. If it is something that can be fixed with training or coaching, I will offer additional support. If it is something more serious, I will take appropriate action, such as issuing a warning or terminating employment.”

What is your experience with scheduling and planning shifts?

Shift managers need to be able to plan and schedule employees’ shifts. This question helps the interviewer understand your experience with this process, as well as how you approach it. Use examples from past experiences in which you planned or scheduled a shift for yourself or others.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for scheduling all of our staff members’ shifts. I used an online scheduling program that allowed me to see everyone’s availability and preferences. I would start by looking at who had worked together before and then fill in the rest of the schedule based on who could work with whom. I also took into account any requests for certain days off or preferred hours.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to resolve a conflict between two of your employees.

As a shift manager, you may be responsible for resolving conflicts between your employees. Employers ask this question to see how you would handle such situations and if you have any experience doing so. In your answer, explain the steps you took to resolve the conflict and what the outcome was.

Example: “In my previous role as a barista, I had two employees who were constantly arguing with each other. One employee felt that the other wasn’t working hard enough, while the other employee thought their coworker was being too critical of them. I asked both employees to meet me in private where we could discuss the situation.

I explained that it’s important for all employees to work together and support one another. After our meeting, they agreed to put aside their differences and focus on their work.”

If we were to walk into your shift right now, what would we see you doing?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s work ethic and how they interact with their team. It also allows you to see if they are doing what they say they would be doing in their interview answers.

Example: “If I were working right now, I would be checking on my employees to make sure they have everything they need. I would be making sure that all of our customers are happy and getting the food they ordered as quickly as possible. I would also be monitoring the kitchen to make sure that we’re meeting our production goals.”

What would you do if you noticed one of your employees engaging in behavior that violated company policies?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your leadership skills and how you would handle a situation that could affect the workplace. In your answer, try to show that you can use your problem-solving skills to resolve issues while also maintaining respect for your employees.

Example: “If I noticed one of my employees violating company policies, I would first speak with them in private about the issue. If they continued their behavior after our discussion, I would document the incident and inform my manager so we could discuss appropriate disciplinary action. As a shift manager, it’s important to me that I maintain a positive relationship with all of my employees, so I would always strive to be respectful when handling these types of situations.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Shift managers often have to make important decisions quickly and under pressure. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle these situations well. In your answer, share a time when you had to make an important decision quickly. Explain what steps you took to make the best choice possible.

Example: “I am someone who thrives under pressure. When I was working as a server at a restaurant, we were very busy one night. One of our cooks got sick, so I had to take over their station for the rest of my shift. It was quite stressful, but I managed it by delegating tasks to other servers and asking them to help me with certain things. We all worked together to get through that evening.”

Do you have experience using time management tools to monitor your employees’ progress?

Shift managers often use time management tools to monitor their employees’ progress and ensure they are meeting deadlines. This question helps the interviewer understand how you plan your day, schedule meetings and manage projects. Use examples from past experience to show that you can effectively use these types of software programs or apps.

Example: “I have used a few different time management tools in my previous roles as a shift manager. I find that using a combination of both digital and analog methods is most effective for me. For example, I like to use an online calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines while also using sticky notes on my computer screen to remind myself of tasks I need to complete throughout the day. These two methods help me stay organized and focused on what needs to get done.”

When planning your shifts, how do you determine the appropriate number of employees to assign to each shift?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to make important decisions that affect the entire team. Use examples from past experience to show how you consider each employee’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as any challenges or special circumstances that might require additional staff members.

Example: “In my last role, I had a team of five employees who worked in different areas of the restaurant. When planning our shifts, I considered each employee’s skill set and preferences for which hours they preferred to work. For example, one employee was great at interacting with customers but struggled with food prep tasks. To help her feel more comfortable in the kitchen, I scheduled her for later shifts when there were fewer customers so she could focus on cooking rather than serving.”

We want to improve our customer service scores. What strategies would you use to encourage your employees to provide excellent customer service?

Shift managers are responsible for ensuring their employees provide excellent customer service. Employers ask this question to see if you have any strategies that can help them improve their scores. Use your answer to share a few ways you would encourage your team to give great customer service.

Example: “I think the most important thing is to make sure my team understands what good customer service looks like. I would hold weekly training sessions where we discuss how to interact with customers and handle common situations. Another way I would ensure quality customer service is by making sure all of our staff members are well-trained in their positions. If they know exactly what to do, it will lead to better customer service.”

Describe your experience with using POS systems.

POS systems are a common tool for shift managers. They allow you to track customer orders, monitor inventory and keep track of employee performance. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience using POS systems and can do so effectively. In your answer, explain that you have used POS systems in the past and describe what made them successful.

Example: “I’ve worked as a server at several restaurants throughout my career. Each restaurant I worked at had its own unique system, but they all functioned similarly. I learned how to use each one quickly and efficiently. Now, I am comfortable with any POS system. I find that it’s important to be able to adapt to different systems because each business has their own way of doing things.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this shift manager position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the job. They want to know what makes you a good fit for their company and how you can contribute to its success. Before your interview, make a list of all your skills and experiences that relate to the position. Think about which ones are most important for the role and share them with the interviewer.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this shift manager position because I have extensive experience managing employees. In my last role as a server, I was responsible for training new staff members and helping my team resolve any issues they had on the floor. I also have excellent communication skills, so I can effectively relay information to both my team and customers.”

Which shift manager roles have you previously held?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience as a shift manager. They want to know what responsibilities you had and how well you performed them. When answering, list the specific roles you’ve held in the past and describe what each one entailed.

Example: “In my last position as a night shift supervisor, I was responsible for overseeing all of the employees on my team. This included making sure they were performing their jobs correctly and resolving any issues that arose during their shifts. I also ensured that our customers received excellent service at all times. In my previous role as a day shift supervisor, I managed only a few employees but still oversaw their work and resolved any problems.”

What do you think is the most important trait for a shift manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the same priorities as their company. It also helps them understand what your management style might be like and how it aligns with the company’s overall goals. When answering this question, think about what traits you value most in a shift manager. Try to choose a trait that is relevant to the job description or one that you feel will benefit the organization.

Example: “I believe the most important trait for a shift manager is communication. I know from my experience working on teams that effective communication can make all the difference when trying to meet deadlines or solve problems. A good communicator is someone who listens well and shares information clearly. They are able to explain things in a way that everyone understands.”

How often do you plan to rotate your employees’ shifts?

Shift managers often have to rotate their employees’ shifts in order to meet the needs of the business. This question helps interviewers understand how you plan to manage your team and ensure that all employees are able to work during peak hours. In your answer, explain how you will communicate with your team about shift changes and when they can expect to be rotated.

Example: “I always try to avoid rotating my team members’ shifts as much as possible because I know it can be disruptive for them. However, if there is a need to change someone’s schedule, I make sure to give plenty of notice so they can adjust their schedules accordingly. For example, at my last job, we had an employee who was expecting a baby. We gave her plenty of advance notice before changing her schedule so she could prepare for maternity leave.”

There is a high volume of customers in the restaurant and your servers are struggling to keep up with the demand. What would you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to make quick decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation that you encountered in the past and how you handled it.

Example: “In my last position as a shift manager at a restaurant, there was a high volume of customers on a Friday night. I noticed some servers were having trouble keeping up with the demand, so I started taking orders for tables myself to help relieve some pressure from our servers. This helped reduce wait times for customers and allowed our servers to focus on providing excellent customer service.”