How to answer “How Would Your Most Recent Manager Describe You” in an Interview

Why Does Interviewer Ask This Question?

There are several reasons why an interviewer might ask the question “How would your most recent manager describe you?” during a job interview:

To Get A Sense Of Your Professional Reputation: The interviewer wants to get a sense of your reputation within your previous workplace. If your manager had positive things to say about you, it may indicate that you are a reliable and competent employee. This is especially important for the interviewer, as they want to ensure that they are hiring someone who is respected and well-regarded by their peers and superiors. By asking this question, the interviewer can get a sense of how you are perceived by others and how you have performed in your previous roles.
To Check Your Self-Awareness: The interviewer is interested in how you perceive yourself and how you are perceived by others. Your answer to this question can give the interviewer insight into your level of self-awareness and how you view your strengths and weaknesses. It can also show the interviewer whether or not you are able to accurately assess your own performance and receive feedback in a constructive manner.
To See If You Have A Good Relationship With Your Manager: A good working relationship with your manager is important for success in any job. If you are able to list specific ways in which your manager would describe you, it may indicate that you had a good working relationship and were able to communicate effectively with your manager. On the other hand, if you are unable to think of any specific examples or if you struggle to come up with positive things that your manager would say about you, it may suggest that you had a strained relationship or that you were not able to effectively collaborate with your manager.
To Find Out About Your Work Style: The interviewer wants to get a sense of your work style and how you approach tasks. Your answer to this question can give the interviewer insight into your work habits and how you interact with your manager and coworkers. For example, if your manager would describe you as a self-starter who takes initiative, it may indicate that you are a proactive and independent worker. On the other hand, if your manager would describe you as someone who needs a lot of direction and supervision, it may suggest that you prefer to work in a more structured and guided environment.

5 Things Avoid While Answering This Question

Here are five things to avoid when answering the question “How would your most recent manager describe you?” during a job interview:

Being Overly Critical Of Your Previous Manager: While it’s okay to acknowledge any challenges you faced with your previous manager, it’s important to avoid being overly critical or negative. This can give the impression that you are difficult to work with or that you are not a team player. Criticizing your previous manager can also reflect poorly on your ability to handle conflicts or challenges in a professional manner. Instead, try to focus on the positive aspects of your working relationship and how you were able to effectively collaborate with your manager to achieve results.
Lying Or Exaggerating: It’s important to be honest when answering this question. If the interviewer follows up with your previous manager, any discrepancies between your answer and your manager’s response will be apparent. Lying or exaggerating can also damage your credibility and may lead to negative consequences in the future. By being honest and upfront about your strengths and weaknesses, you can demonstrate your integrity and show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions.
Failing To Provide Specific Examples: Simply stating that your manager would describe you as a hard worker or a team player is not enough. It’s important to provide specific examples to back up your claims. Without concrete examples, your statements may not be believable or meaningful. By giving specific examples of your achievements and successes, you can demonstrate your value as an employee and show the interviewer why you are the best candidate for the job.
Focusing Solely On Negative Aspects: While it’s important, to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses, it’s best to focus on the positive aspects of your work style. Emphasizing negative aspects or challenges you faced with your previous manager may give the impression that you are difficult to work with or that you are not a positive and solutions-oriented employee. Instead, try to emphasize your strengths and accomplishments, and show how you were able to overcome any challenges you faced in your previous role.
Not Tailoring Your Answer To The Specific Job: It’s important to tailor your answer to the specific job you are applying for. Make sure to address any specific requirements or preferences mentioned in the job posting, and show how your work style aligns with the needs of the company. By tailoring your answer to the specific job, you can show the interviewer that you have done your research and that you understand the needs and expectations of the company.

Overall, it’s important, to be honest, specific, and positive when answering the question “How would your most recent manager describe you?” and tailor your answer to the specific job you are applying for. By avoiding the pitfalls mentioned above, you can effectively communicate your strengths and accomplishments and show why you are the right fit for the job.

5 Tips To Answer This Question

Here are five tips for answering the question “How would your most recent manager describe you?”

Identify Your Strengths And Accomplishments: Think about the specific skills and qualities that you brought to your previous role. What did you excel at? What were your major accomplishments? By identifying your strengths and accomplishments, you can give the interviewer a clear sense of what your previous manager would say about you.
Provide Specific Examples: It’s one thing to say that you are a hard worker, but it’s much more effective to provide specific examples of times when you went above and beyond in your previous role. Giving concrete examples helps illustrate your strengths and accomplishments in a way that is more meaningful and believable.
Be Honest: It’s important to be honest when answering this question. Don’t try to present yourself as something you’re not, as this can come across as insincere and could potentially lead to a mismatch between your work style and the expectations of your employer. It’s okay to acknowledge any challenges or weaknesses you faced in your previous role, as long as you also provide context and show how you were able to overcome these challenges.
Use Positive Language: When describing your strengths and accomplishments, use positive language and focus on the benefits of your approach. Rather than saying “I had a lot of disagreements with my previous manager,” say “I was able to effectively communicate and collaborate with my manager to achieve results.”
Tailor Your Answer To The Specific Job: It’s a good idea to tailor your answer to the specific job you are applying for. If the job posting mentions that the company values teamwork, for example, you might want to emphasize your experience working in team environments and your ability to collaborate effectively with others. By tailoring your answer to the specific job, you can show the interviewer that you have done your research and that you understand the needs and expectations of the company.

Overall, when answering the question “How would your most recent manager describe you?” it’s important to be specific, honest, and positive, and to tailor your answer to the specific job you are applying for. By following these tips, you can effectively communicate your strengths and accomplishments and show why you are the right fit for the job.

How To Answer “How Would Your Most Recent Manager Describe You” In An Interview?

There are a few key points to keep in mind when answering this question in an interview:

Focus On Your Strengths And Accomplishments: Your most recent manager will likely be able to speak to your work ethic, skills, and accomplishments. Think about the specific ways in which you excelled in your previous role and be prepared to share specific examples of your successes.
Be Honest: It’s important, to be honest, and authentic in your response to this question. Don’t try to exaggerate or downplay any aspect of your performance or personality. Instead, focus on providing a balanced and accurate portrayal of yourself.
Show Your Self-Awareness: In addition to highlighting your strengths, it’s also important to be aware of your weaknesses and areas for improvement. Demonstrating self-awareness and a willingness to learn and grow will help you come across as a well-rounded and proactive employee.
Use Specific Language: Avoid using vague or general terms to describe yourself. Instead, use specific language and examples to illustrate your points. This will help your interviewer get a clearer picture of your abilities and achievements.
Practice And Prepare: As with any interview question, it’s a good idea to practice your response to this question beforehand. Consider asking a friend or family member to act as an interviewer and ask you this question so you can get some practice and feel more confident and prepared during the actual interview.

Overall, the key to answering this question is to focus on your strengths, be honest and self-aware, and use specific language and examples to illustrate your points. By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to answer this common interview question and showcase your skills and capabilities to potential employers.

Example

Here are ten potential answers to the question “How would your most recent manager describe you?”

Answer: “My most recent manager would describe me as a hard-working and reliable team player. I always made sure to meet deadlines and took on additional responsibilities when needed. I also enjoyed collaborating with my coworkers and helping to contribute to the overall success of the team.”
Answer: “My manager would describe me as a proactive and solution-oriented employee. I was always looking for ways to improve processes and increase efficiency, and I wasn’t afraid to take on new challenges and learn new skills. I also made an effort to stay organized and on top of my work, which helped me to consistently deliver high-quality results.”
Answer: “I think my manager would describe me as a positive and energetic team member. I always tried to bring a positive attitude to the workplace and was willing to help out and support my coworkers in any way I could. I also enjoyed finding ways to inject some fun and levity into the work environment.”
Answer: “My manager would probably describe me as a detail-oriented and thorough worker. I was always careful to double-check my work and make sure everything was accurate and complete. I also enjoyed analyzing data and problem-solving, and I was often able to identify patterns and trends that others might have missed.”
Answer: “I believe my manager would describe me as a confident and capable employee. I wasn’t afraid to take on new tasks and responsibilities, and I always made sure to communicate effectively with my manager and team members. I also took the time to learn new skills and stay up-to-date on industry developments.”
Answer: “My manager would probably describe me as a flexible and adaptable employee. I was able to handle multiple tasks and projects at once, and I was always willing to pivot and adjust my approach as needed. I also enjoyed working in a fast-paced environment and was able to stay calm under pressure.”
Answer: “I think my manager would describe me as a patient and understanding team member. I was always willing to listen and help out my coworkers, and I enjoyed finding ways to resolve conflicts and improve communication within the team. I also made an effort to be understanding and supportive of others’ needs and perspectives.”
Answer: “My manager would likely describe me as a strong and decisive leader. I was often called upon to take the lead on projects and initiatives, and I was able to make tough decisions and keep the team focused and on track. I also enjoyed mentoring and coaching my coworkers and helping them to develop their skills and abilities.”
Answer: “I believe my manager would describe me as a creative and innovative thinker. I was always looking for ways to bring new ideas to the table and approach problems from fresh angles. I also enjoyed experimenting with new technologies and approaches, and I was often able to come up with innovative solutions to challenges we faced.”
Answer: “I think my manager would describe me as a dedicated and committed employee. I was always willing to go above and beyond to get the job done, and I took pride in the quality of my work. I also enjoyed taking on new responsibilities and learning new skills, and I was always eager to contribute to the success of the team.”