Mastering the Hiring Process: Essential Prescreening Questions to Ask a Potential General Manager

What is your management style?

Understanding a candidate's management style is crucial. This question will help you gauge whether their style will fit within your company's culture and whether they can effectively lead and inspire your team.

How do you handle conflicts in the workplace?

Workplace conflicts are inevitable. How a manager handles these conflicts can greatly impact the work environment and the productivity of the team. This question allows you to assess the candidate's conflict resolution skills.

What type of industries have you worked in?

This question provides insight into the candidate's background and experience. It might be beneficial if they have experience in your specific industry, but diverse experience can also bring fresh perspectives.

How do you motivate your team?

Motivated employees are productive employees. This question can help you understand the candidate's strategies for motivating their team and maintaining high morale.

What is your experience with financial management?

As a General Manager, financial management is a key responsibility. This question will help you ascertain the candidate's ability to manage budgets, interpret financial reports, and make sound financial decisions.

Can you describe your experience with strategic planning?

Strategic planning is crucial for setting goals, measuring progress, and achieving growth. This question will allow you to assess the candidate's ability to think strategically and execute plans effectively.

What is your approach to making important decisions for the company?

Decision-making is a significant part of a General Manager's role. This question can provide insight into the candidate's decision-making process, helping you understand how they tackle challenging situations.

How do you handle underperforming employees?

Every team may have underperforming employees at times. How a manager handles these situations can impact the team's overall performance. This question can reveal the candidate's approach to performance management and employee development.

Can you provide examples of how you have implemented and managed change within a company?

Change management is a key skill for a General Manager. This question can help you understand the candidate's experience with implementing change, and how they handle the challenges that come with it.

How familiar are you with our industry?

While not a deal-breaker, industry knowledge can be a significant advantage. This question allows you to assess the candidate's understanding of your industry and their ability to adapt to a new industry.

What is your approach to customer service?

In many businesses, the General Manager plays a key role in shaping the company's approach to customer service. This question can help you gauge the candidate's commitment to customer satisfaction and their strategies for maintaining high service standards.

How do you define success in your role as a General Manager?

Success can be subjective and can vary greatly from person to person. This question can provide insight into the candidate's personal goals and expectations for their role as a General Manager.

Can you describe a situation where you improved efficiency in your previous position?

Efficiency is vital in any role, but particularly for a General Manager. This question can help you understand the candidate's ability to identify inefficiencies and implement effective solutions.

What is your experience with developing and managing budgets?

Budget management is a key skill for a General Manager. This question can help you assess the candidate's experience in budget planning, forecasting, and control.

Do you have experience hiring and firing staff?

Hiring and firing are difficult but necessary parts of a General Manager's role. This question can help you understand the candidate's experience and approach to these sensitive tasks.

Can you describe your experience with performance management processes?

Performance management is crucial for maintaining a productive and engaged team. This question can provide insight into the candidate's experience with performance reviews, goal setting, and employee development.

Do you have experience with corporate governance and compliance?

A General Manager must ensure that the company operates within the law and adheres to regulations. This question can help you assess the candidate's understanding of corporate governance and compliance.

How do you evaluate your team's performance?

Evaluating team performance is crucial for identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes. This question can provide insight into the candidate's strategies for assessing team performance and their approach to feedback and development.

How would you handle a situation where a project is running behind schedule?

Project management is often a key part of a General Manager's role. This question can help you understand the candidate's approach to managing project timelines and deadlines, and how they handle setbacks and challenges.

Do you have experience negotiating contracts or agreements?

Contract negotiation is a key skill for a General Manager. This question can help you assess the candidate's experience with and approach to negotiation, a skill that can greatly impact the company's relationships and bottom line.