Can You Explain Your Management Style
Oftentimes, the manager of the job you’re applying for is your interviewer. Asking them this question can help you tell if their management style aligns with your own working style. For instance, when just getting into your field, you may want a manager who is hands-on and supportive. Likewise, if you are highly skilled at your job, you may prefer a manager who is more laid back.
Describe An Ideal Manager/boss
Again, your answer should accord with the findings of your research. If one-on-one meetings are common in the company, if feedback flows freely in all directions, you can say that you like to have a daily contact with your manager, and open discussion about everything.
In an opposite case , when employees work a lot on their own, and are responsible for making daily decisions, you can say that you do not expect much from your boss, that you are independent and can work without constant supervision and guidance.
In any case, you should not refer to race, color, gender, age, or religion of your ideal boss. Saying that you prefer to work under an older boss might easily backfireif your prospective superior was a young lad
May also interest you: Situational interview questions.
Why Did You Apply For This Job
While this may not seem like a culture interview question, it can be. It gives the hiring manager clues about your priorities and mentality. The aspects of the opportunity that stood out to you can be very revealing, letting them know whether youre genuinely passionate about the work, workplace, and more.
Also Check: How To Interview A Therapist
Top 71 Cultural Fit Interview Questions And Answers
For a company to function in a proper manner, it is of paramount importance that everyone in the company functions as a unit. If everyone in the company is not in the same boat then over time to come, things will surely fall apart.
The moment everyone works towards different goals, there will be a great amount of confusion as well as disloyalty. At the very onset, the recruiter interviewing candidates should ask cultural fit interview questions which will assess the cultural fit of the employees so that they experience no problems at later points in time.
Tell Us About Some Of Your Main Beliefs
All companies have their own set of rules, ideals as well as beliefs. In order for a company to function like a well oiled machine, all the employees goals should be in keeping with that of the company. On asking the question, you can see whether the persons beliefs are in keeping with that of the company.
Most often, companies are entirely secular in their outlook so in such a case, hiring someone who is theocratic, would be a very bad idea. In addition to this, you can also ask the individual concerned, how to keep their own thoughts with that for the company, that way you can also gauge how well versed the person is with the company information.
Recommended Reading: How To Do A Zoom Interview
Red Flags For The Interviewer
Example Cultural Fit Interview Questions
- Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team? Why?
- Describe the type of work environment in which you are most productive.
- How do you prefer to get feedback from your manager: through formal performance reviews or daily/weekly meetings? Why?
- What do you hope to achieve during your first six months here?
- What would make you quit a job in the first month?
- What would you say or do to motivate your team during a challenging project?
- Whats one thing you like about your current job and youd want here as well?
- Have you ever found a company policy unfair or inefficient? If so, what was the policy and why? What did you do or what would you do, in this case?
- Your manager assigns you a big task right before the end of the day. How would you reply?
- How would you change an institutional this is how we always do it attitude, if you felt there was a better approach?
Read Also: How To Prepare For Product Manager Interview
Questions About How Committed You Are
The interviewer wants to know if you will stay at this job for a while. They want to be sure that the time and money it takes to train you will not be wasted. This is your chance to show them that you are committed.
The interviewer might ask:
- Are you thinking of going back to school or to college?
- What are your long-range goals?
- Why have you changed jobs so often?
The best approach is to give answers that show:
- You have career goals
- Your goals are related to the position youre applying for, which will help show the interviewer that youre committed
Let the interviewer know you wont quit after a short time. Talk about how the job fits into your career plans, but be brief. Remember that interviewers are more interested in hearing about what you can do for the organization than what the organization can do for you.
If youve changed jobs many times, explain why you felt you had to. If you were fired, be honest and try not to get emotional. Tell the interviewer that you expect to stay longer in this job , and focus on the positive things youve learned from your past jobs.
Then change the focus by asking a question. For example, you could say that youre looking for a position that gives you the chance to develop. Then ask the interviewer if youll have a chance to do that in this job.
Tips From Athena: What To Expect In The Board Interview Process
Athena members can download ourchecklist to prepare for board interviews in the Library, including more insights into the board interview process, interview tips, questions you may be asked, and questions you may want to ask the board in the interview process. Weve distilled some of the key insights below.
The director selection process can be as simple as a CEO or VC doing a single interview and making the decision, or as all-inclusive as individual interviews with every member of the board then gaining a consensus or unanimous vote. Even in a public board, if the CEO is in good standing, the board is likely to value his/her assessment highly and s/he will likely have veto power.
Your first encounter will likely be a phone call and will serve as an opportunity for you to provide your value proposition. Knowing as much as you can about what the board is looking for in their new director is important. What are the skills missing on their board? What are the specs for the experience they need?
As you progress in the interview process, conversations usually focus on whether or not you are a cultural fit for the board. Are your personality and approach to discussion appropriate for this group of directors and the CEO?
The attitude you bring to the table will offer the board insights into the characteristics you will bring as a board member. Are you positive? Are you strategic in the questions you ask? Are you clear-headed? How will you contribute and add value?
Recommended Reading: How To Get Ready For A Job Interview
Why And How To Hire For Culture Fit
Interviews may very well be the most vital step in the hiring process of an hourly employee. Not only does it allow you to assess the prospective employees abilities, but it will also let you know whether the individual connects well with your companys culture. Some hiring managers may not see the importance of cultural interview questions. After all, why bother when all we really need in an hourly worker is someone who can do their job perfectly, right?
Well, not quite. A study by Vadequa showed that 36% of hiring failures were mostly because of employee incompatibility in the company. To corroborate this, another study by Monster.com found that companies that took cultural fit into account during their interviews have 30% less employee turnover than companies that do not. Evidently, neglecting the importance of cultural fit will result in a higher employee turnover rate which will, in turn, incur additional hiring costs for the company. Not to mention, employees who do not see where they fit in the company may also have a lower motivation to work which impacts their productivity.
Ask Cultural Fit Questions In Your Interviews
To assess cultural fit in an interview setting, its important to ask the right questions. Behavioral and motivation-indicator questions help delve deeper into your candidates values, behaviors, and motivations.
These questions will generally involve asking candidates what action they would take when faced with a particular challenge or task and why.
Here are some examples of questions you could ask:
- What do you appreciate most about working in a team?
- Do you dislike any elements of teamwork?
- If you had four different projects to simultaneously work on that all had similar deadlines, how would you approach the work and organize your time?
- What are you most proud of achieving at work to date?
- What drives you in your day-to-day work?
- When was the last time you messed up on a project or task, and what did you learn?
- Is there anything you like about your current colleagues?
For the answers you receive to be helpful in your assessment, you will need to have an interview scorecard to help you assess the responses you receive on a scale to determine how well they fit with your culture.
Read Also: How To Do A Video Interview For A Job
Top Cultural Fit Interview Questions
To prepare you for the ideal interview, here are some of the cultural fit interview questions we have rounded up for you. It is best if a candidate uses the STAR framework to answer these questions. If they dont, it will be good to ask them follow-up questions based on the STAR approach to probe them further in giving more details in their answers.
1. What would be an ideal work environment for you?
The purpose of this question is self-explanatory and is probably the most effective question to determine an individuals company culture fit. Based on their replies, you can ascertain whether he/she will be happy when working in your organization.
2. Which according to you is the most effective managerial style?
A manager plays a pivotal role in an organization, especially in the QSR industry where they are essential in ensuring the front-end operations of the restaurant run smoothly. Thus, this question is important as it ensures that the candidate will be able to work well under your companys management style. It also allows you to prevent any potential friction between a manager and employee which can negatively affect the companys operations.
3. Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team?
4. What motivates you?
Needless to say, this question lets you in on what makes an individual tick and is a way to determine whether his/her motivators will be compatible with their job duties. It also gives you insights into their priorities while on the job.
Finding Job Candidates That Fit Your Company Culture Is An Important Part Of Hiring Thats Why Its Essential To Ask Interview Questions To Assess Cultural Fit And Determine If The Candidate Will Be A Good Hire
As a hiring manager, boss, or CEO, its your responsibility to assess what qualifies as a good cultural fit for your organization. Ideally you will find candidates whose values, behaviours, qualifications, and ethics align with the organizations priorities. The most successful hires will fit both the job and the workplace culture.
First, what are some examples of cultural fit in the workplace?
- An employee who prefers to work alone on projects wont be able to excel in a workplace that values collaboration.
- A candidate that requires direction and guidance may not suit a fast paced startup where employees are expected to take more initiative.
- A leader who emphasizes command and control over decision-making might have issues in a holacratic management environment where all employees get a say.
Luckily one can find a wealth of advice online about culture fit assessment. Lets get down to the interview questions to assess culture fit.
You May Like: What Are The Top 10 Behavioral Questions In An Interview
Why Is There A Gap In Your Resume
There are several reasons you may have a gap in your resume, including illness, extended travel, or being laid off. Employers value honesty, and you can use the opportunity to explain what you did during that time, without going into extensive detail.
I f the reason behind the gap in your resume personal, you can explain that to the hiring manager. Be sure to redirect the discussion to what skills and qualifications you bring to the table, despite the time without formal employment.
Know What Youre Bringing To The Table
Many people become uncomfortable at the idea of selling themselves, but presenting yourself in your best light does not have to feel gimmicky or disingenuous. The fact is, you do have skills and experiences that set you apart and it is completely acceptable to acknowledge that about yourself.
When preparing for your interview, know how your particular skill set will translate to your job role and how it will help contribute to the overall goals of the team or department.
Having stats on hand about how you have grown and succeeded in your previous roles will serve you well here. For instance, what percentage of overall sales were you responsible for in your last position? How much did your previous companies social media engagement grow when you were managing it?
Whatever accomplishments you have that are relevant to the position will be a great asset for your interviewer to know. Dont be shy about sharing your accomplishments. Your interviewer is hoping you are a good fit as much as you are, so make sure they have all of the reasons why this job should be yours.
Recommended Reading: How To Prepare For A Recruiter Position Interview
Questions About Why Youre A Good Fit For The Job
These questions will usually make up most of the interview. The interviewer wants to find out whether you and your skills are a good fit for the position. This is your chance to show that you stand out from the competition.
The interviewer might ask in-depth questions about:
- Your work-specific or technical skills, which could include using a software program, repairing a piece of equipment, or teaching a class
- Your employability or transferable skills, which are the personal, teamwork, and fundamental skills you need to succeed in every work situation
- Your greatest weakness and strength
If you dont have many work-specific skills, don’t worry. Many employers will hire individuals based on their personal skills, teamwork skills, and fundamental skills such as communicating well and solving problems because they know they can train you to do the technical work that is required for the job. Plus, you may have already picked up some of these skills through school, sports, or volunteer work.
If you are asked about your greatest weakness, do your best to frame it as a growing strength, and do not choose a weakness that would prevent you from doing the job. For example, you can talk about times youve improved your skills after recognizing a weakness or making a mistake. Maybe you are prone to mistakes because you like to work fast, but now youve learned that its more efficient to take your time and do the job right the first time than to rush it and have to fix mistakes later.
How To Show Culture Fit In An Interview
Ask a hiring manager which top qualities theyre looking for in candidates, and culture fit is bound to be up there. Its no surprise research shows that hiring for culture fit leads to reduced turnover, cost savings and happier, more productive employees, so its definitely in a company’s best interest to find somebody whos a good match.
But job seekers are often at a loss for how to show culture fit during an interview. And although it can indeed be difficult, its far from impossible you just need to follow a few best practices first.
You May Like: What To Ask A Cfo In An Interview
Culture Fit & Working Style Questions
One important, and often overlooked, aspect of the hiring process is ensuring a candidate fits into the company with little-to-no friction. Interviewers will ask a series of questions pertaining to your working style to determine if you’re a good fit to join the team.
Below is a list of questions likely to come up:
- Why do you want to work here?
- Why should I hire you?
- Do you prefer to work alone or with a team?
- Tell me about an assignment that was too difficult. How did you handle the situation?
