QA – What Do You Expect From a Supervisor?

Wouldn’t it be great if your supervisor was your best friend? Someone that you could share stories with. Someone that will let you off work early for a hot date. Someone that trusts you to make good decisions and only warns you of mistakes when they are worried you are going down the wrong path. Would that be great?

Too bad.

When an employer asks you “What do you expect from a supervisor?” during your job interview, what they are looking to see is that you have both realistic expectations and a genuine sense of humility. They want to know that you are not extremely defensive about your work and that you have respect for those in authority.

Bad Answer

“I expect a supervisor to appreciate my work. I do not want someone that is going to criticize me every chance they get or speak to me as though I am not a good worker. I am a good worker, and a good supervisor will recognize my talents.”

Good Answer

“I expect any supervisor to work with me uniquely. Quality supervisors have a malleable and adaptive management style, and what works for one subordinate staff member may not work as well for the other. Supervisors that are respectful of my abilities and personality will always earn my respect.”

This answer is sort of the opposite of the “What kind of management style do you use?” job interview question that is asked to those interviewing for management jobs. You are simply asking for a manager that is respectful, without going into too much detail, and you are showing that you, too, have an understanding of good management, which should impress employers.

Take Away Interview Tips

• Don’t get defensive or make it sound like you may become a spiteful employee.

Related posts:

1. Common Interview Question: What Do You Expect from a Supervisor?
2. Q&A – What Was it Like Working For Your Past Supervisor?
3. Common Interview Question: What Would Your Previous Supervisor Say You Need to Work On?
4. Management Interview Question – How Will Your Subordinates View You As a Supervisor?
5. Difficult Interview Question: What Would Your Previous Supervisor Say You Need to Work On?