Area Manager Interview Preparation Guide

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Rarely is an inexperienced person taken in as a project manager. Any project manager would have at least two or three years of experience either as an employee or as a project manager. Therefore, this is one of the basic questions asked. Make sure that you give a brief and concise answer to this question, without going too much into the details. Also, make sure that everything you say as an answer to this question is factual and true.

As an experienced professional, you are bound to have a portfolio, and this is the right time to share such a portfolio with the interviewer. Make sure that the portfolio you share is authentic and has all the work that you have done. Your previous portfolio will decide whether the interviewer will be interested you or not.

A project manager has to take into consideration several disagreements. They can be between employees, between the superior and the employees, or even the client and the employees. If you reply that you have never had any disagreements, the interviewer will wonder whether you were really a project manager for your skills or simply because you are a people pleaser.
Make sure that you come up with at least one incident where employees and superiors had differences in thought and you were instrumental in changing the scenario.

Apart from the portfolio, everyone has some project or aspect of their jobs that they hold close to their heart. This is the time to inform the interviewer about what your favorite project was and why. Of course, you have to make sure that you do not go on a ramble and genuinely discuss some of your favorite projects.

No job is without its disappointments. The disappointments can be anything, from an employee who left for personal reasons or the area that you did not bag because of the financials involved.
Make sure that you provide a quick and factual answer for this question.
These and other questions are randomly asked for the interview of the post of a area manager.
Make sure that you read about the job description well before you opt for a area manager interview.

Regardless of the reason, do not bad mouth your current employer. Negativism will always hurt you. Good answers include: "There is no room for growth at my current employer. I am looking for a company with long term growth opportunities". "Due to a company restructuring, my entire department is relocating to Florida. I was give the option of moving, but do not wish to relocate". "My current company is not doing well, and has been laying off employees. There is no job security there, and more layoffs are expected".

I find that I work better under pressure, and I enjoy working in an environment that is challenging." "I am the type of person that diffuses stress. I am used to working in a demanding environment with deadlines, and enjoy the challenges.

My long term goals are to find a company where I can grow, continue to learn, take on increasing responsibilities and be a positive contributor.

I have definite examples of your skills and accomplishments. Be positive, and emphasize how your background matches the job description.

It is very important to give a strength that compensates for your weakness. Make your weakness into a positive. "I consider myself a 'big picture' person. I sometimes skip the small details. For this reason, I always have someone on my team that is very detail oriented." Another good answer: "Sometimes, I get so excited and caught up in my work that I forget that my family life should be my number one priority.