Based on our 45 years of experience in technical recruiting, we have developed a list of the top five interview questions for managers in order to identify strong technical candidates for your teams. At Konik PrimeStaff, we understand the job market can change on a seasonal basis, making it hard to gage how to conduct your hiring process. We know your time is limited and hiring can quickly become an overwhelming process. In addition, hiring an unqualified or underperforming candidate will compound your management frustrations. Take a look at our top five technical interview questions for managers and learn why these series of questions will help you identify superior talent.
1. How would you honestly rate your technical level compared to your coworkers at principal, senior, mid-level, etc.?
This question gives the candidate a chance to expand on their technical confidence level and can easily vocalize why they are qualified for your open position.. Asking follow-up questions also gives the candidate a chance to expand on their abilities, for example, “Do you typically help coach or train new technical staff?”
2. What special projects have you lead in the past few years?
This question highlights the candidate’s initiative and ability to step up and perform beyond their basic responsibilities. If the candidate is upbeat and appears excited about the special projects, they will have the same attitude when starting a new role. If they appear to dislike the special projects they have been leading, this will likely be the case no matter the company or role.
3. How do you stay current with industry trends?
This answer will speak to the candidate’s passion for their field and how curious they are about new ideas and technologies. Do they enjoy reading industry newsletters and magazines or regularly attend industry events? If so, this speaks to a candidate who is a highly engaged professional and is passionate about advancing their career.
4. What leadership style from managers do you prefer?
This starts a discussion about the type of culture they thrive in, and how the interviewer can best motivate them. If there is a stark difference between the candidate’s preference and the manager’s style, follow up questions should be asked before seriously considering the candidate.
5. If your current manager could speak candidly about your performance, what would they say?
After you’ve requested references from the candidate, give them a final chance to describe their abilities. The candidate may use this question to share information regarding interpersonal conflicts or disagreements with their manager. As an interviewer, this question will provide an additional opportunity to better understand the type of leadership and coaching style the candidate prefers.
As a technical recruiting company, we understand the information an interviewer needs in order to make a confident decision when hiring. We hope you find value in our list of interview questions for managers for your technical hiring process. If you are experiencing hiring frustration, contact us to discuss how we can help you hire the right person for your company!