Going through the interview process is perhaps the most nerve-wracking thing ever.
But one has to do what one has to do, and going through an interview is something that one cannot get out of.
The trouble arises when our preparation for the process is not good.
Preparing for an interview requires an understanding of the job that you’re being interviewed for and the way in which the meeting will be conducted.
To see what questions you may be asked (and how to answer them) for a department manager position, take a look at the following set of interview questions and answers:
Department Manager Interview Questions and Answers
1. How was your journey to the position of a department manager?
The journey upwards was a tough one. There was a lot to learn, and I had to work very hard. There was a time when I felt stagnated because I didn’t see myself moving from my current place, but then things moved as I worked harder.
2. As a department manager, what are your principal duties in your current role?
As a department manager, I have been busy performing a wide variety of tasks, including managing staff members, forecasting sales, and market trends, handling the ongoing training needs of staff members, conducting merchandising activities, ensuring the overall operations of the department, and managing accounts analysis work.
3. How do you deem yourself fit to work as a department manager?
Apart from the fact that I have years of experience to my name, I have learned the ropes from the very beginning. My leadership skills are exceptional, as is my ability to handle my work by critically analyzing everything. Moreover, I have a knack for meeting targets and goals assigned to me, and can successfully motivate my team to work exceptionally well.
4. How do you feel about working in a position that has a lot of responsibility attached to it?
It makes me very proud that I have reached a stage where this level of responsibility is on my shoulders. Since I have worked hard to get where I am right now, I take great pains to ensure that the work that I am entrusted with is done by keeping this aspect in check.
5. On a scale of one to ten, where do you rate yourself, if ten is the highest?
As a department manager, I give myself a 7. While I have a lot of experience, I know that learning is a forever process, and I am still learning.
6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
Considering how well I’ve done in the past, I see myself being promoted to the position of department head within the next five years.