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Interviewing Operations Managers
Important Interview Prep for Employers and Candidates
The #1 takeaway from our 2021 Mid-Year Update was the resurging job market. Hiring in this industry has never been busier, more competitive or more challenging that it is right now. That makes streamlining the hiring process more important than ever!
Welcome to our Interviewing Prep series, where we share the most important questions employers and candidates need to have answered before the first interview. This month, we’re covering Operations Managers / Vice Presidents of Operations:
Questions for Employers Before Interviewing Operations Managers
- Why are you looking to hire (for growth, replacement, restructuring, succession plan, etc.)?
- What is the base salary range for this position?
- Is there a bonus program in place?
- If so, is it related to metrics or overall revenue?
- How are bonuses broken down? When are they paid out?
- Do you offer benefits?
- Do you provide a car allowance, cell phone, and/or laptop?
- What is the territory range?
- How much technical experience does this role require?
- Does this role require prior industry experience or are you open to other industries?
- Who will the new Operations Manager report to directly?
- How many overall reports and direct reports will this role have?
- Number of Service or Field Service Managers?
- Number of Field Techs?
- Number of Warehouse Roles (Shop Techs, Inventory Personnel, Dispatch/CSR, etc.)?
- Number of Admin/Office Support Staff?
- Are these overall and direct reports meeting required metrics? Why/why not?
- What is the current Service/Operations revenue at right now?
- Where would you like it to be? In what time frame?
- Will the new Operations Manager be responsible for the Service/Operations P&L? If so, does this role require previous P&L experience?
- What operating system(s) do you currently work with? Are you planning to migrate to a new system?
- Do you require previous experience with your operating system? Are you open to experience with other systems?
- Are there satisfactory policies and procedures currently in place or with the new Operations Manager be responsible for creating or refining them?
- What are the greatest strengths of the department, what are the areas that need the most growth?
- How has your company expanded your portfolio to keep up with advancing technology? Has that evolution accelerated during the pandemic?
- Are you open to relocating candidates? Would you offer any assistance?
- What is the typical interview process for this role? What is your hiring timeline?
- Does your company do a formal background check and drug screening?
- What is your company culture like? What are you seeking in a candidate to fit with the rest of your team?
Questions for Operations Managers Before Their Interview
- What would it take for you to consider a new opportunity?
- What are you looking for in your next position?
- How many years of management experience do you have?
- What was your career path to management?
- Did you have P&L responsibility?
- What operating systems have you worked with?
- For your most recent management position, what was your department’s size when you started?
- How many overall and direct reports did you have?
- How many personnel did you hire? How many did you let go?
- For your most recent management position, was your department meeting your company’s required metrics?
- If so, what skills helped you and your department achieve this success?
- If not, why not?
- What sets you apart from other candidates?
- Do you have any honors or achievement awards from your past roles?
- What are your most successful leadership strategies?
- What was the most noteworthy problem you solved in your last role?
- Do you have a non-compete? If so, how will it affect your ability to move to a new company?
- How quickly would you be able to switch to a new position?
- Are you open to relocation? If so, is your household on the same page?