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Area Manager Interview Questions

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Area Manager interview questions and answers.

  1. What do you know about the region, and how can you increase your knowledge of it? See answer
  2. How can you balance your time and effort between multiple locations? See answer
  3. What are the most important things you look for when hiring employees? See answer
  4. How do you get the most out of your employees? See answer
  5. How do you measure or evaluate the success of your employees? See answer
  6. Describe a time when you used an innovative strategy to meet a sales target. See answer
  7. Describe a time when you created a successful marketing campaign. See answer
  8. What communications skills do you have to succeed in this job? See answer
  9. How should you respond when you disagree with a policy of upper management? See answer
  10. What leadership skills do you have to perform this role effectively? See answer
  11. Describe how your past jobs and education have prepared you for this role.
  12. How can your skills help the company achieve its short-term and long-term goals?
  13. Explain how our company’s mission aligns with your personal values.
  14. Are you someone who enjoys the steady routine of a nine-to-five desk job?
  15. How do you ensure employees know their roles and what you expect of them?
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Hire your next Area Manager today.

Post a job

Hire your next Area Manager today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Area Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Describe how your past jobs and education have prepared you for this role. 

A degree in marketing, finance, or business administration is relevant for an area manager job. The candidate should have proven experience managing a single location before overseeing multiple locations in an area. A background in sales is an asset. This question evaluates whether their qualifications match the requirements of the role. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of what the job entails
  • Industry experience
  • Sufficient amount of time spent in a managerial role

Example:

"After earning a degree in business administration, I worked as a grocery store manager for five years. The store saw an increase in profit each year, and now I'm ready to take on a more challenging role in this field."

How can your skills help the company achieve its short- and long-term goals?

This question allows the candidate to discuss their strategies for helping your business meet its targets and show how their skills benefit you. It allows you to see how passionate they are about the company and its goals. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of the company
  • Ability to adapt 
  • Vision and enthusiasm 

Example:

"I have the leadership, communication, and business management skills to help your business grow. I've worked for various companies, and I've adapted to my roles successfully as new goals arise. I continuously refine my skills through training programmes and by applying feedback from fellow employees and clients."

Explain how our company's mission aligns with your personal values.

Interested candidates do research about a company before an interview. They should have looked closely at your company's website and social media pages. Their answer shows how enthusiastic they are about the opportunity to work for you. You'll gain more insight into their values, personality, and management style. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of the company's mission
  • Ability to work as a team player
  • Commitment 

Example:

"Your company is a leader in the fitness industry and works with clients to help them become stronger because you want them to be healthy and happy. I also value hard work and helping people meet their fitness goals, and I'm excited to know that we support similar charities."

What do you know about the region, and how can you increase your knowledge of it?

The area manager should understand the demographics and characteristics of the region. This helps them develop marketing campaigns and increase brand visibility. If they've lived or worked in the area, this is a bonus. What to look for in an answer:

  • Enthusiasm for working in the region
  • Being community-oriented
  • A plan for becoming more familiar with the area

Example:

"I did some work in the area a few years ago, so I know it has a lot to offer. The construction industry is booming, so it's an excellent field to work in, with a lot of opportunity for growth. I've been reading the local news online every day to learn even more about the area."

How can you balance your time and effort between multiple locations?

The area manager needs to ensure productivity is high, look after their employees, and enforce policy at all locations in the region. They need to show commitment to each location. This question helps you assess the candidate's organisational and planning skills. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of the scope of the job
  • Time-management skills
  • Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment

Example:

"There were many times at my most recent job when we were short-staffed, and I had to handle sales in the electronics, furniture, and cookware departments all at the same time. I loved the challenge, and taking on multiple tasks is a strength of mine."

Are you someone who enjoys the steady routine of a nine-to-five desk job?

An eight-hour workday at a desk is not typical for an area manager. There is often travel between locations, with meetings and other duties to attend to after regular work hours. The candidate should enjoy the diversity of the job and show a willingness to put in the extra time when required. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of the job commitments 
  • Flexibility with their schedule
  • Enthusiasm for travel and interacting with people

Example:

"I don't think I could work a nine-to-five desk job because I enjoy moving around and networking with others so much. I'll make this job my priority, and I'm prepared to work any hours necessary to help the company succeed."

What are the most important things you look for when hiring employees?

You need to know the candidate can properly assess resumes, conduct interviews, and select the most suitable applicants. The qualities they see as important in others are qualities they may show at work. This question gives you a glimpse into what kind of employees you can expect to have in the region if you hire the candidate. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of how to hire employees 
  • Ability to recognise leadership qualities in others 
  • Recognition of the time required to assess job applications

Example:

"The candidate needs to meet the job requirements for education and experience. In addition, I'll want to make sure they're trustworthy, dedicated, and work well with others. I learn this by having detailed conversations with the references provided on their resumes."

How do you ensure employees know their roles and what you expect of them?

Being the leader of a team, the area manager has to delegate responsibilities and coordinate employees to work towards a common goal. With this question, you'll learn how the candidate gives direction to employees and communicates with them. A thoughtful response shows they value the relationship between managers and team members. What to look for in an answer:

  • Teamwork
  • Ability to delegate tasks
  • Understanding the importance of each employee's job

Example:

"It's important to give clear directions to employees, and to respond promptly to their concerns and questions. I promote regular team-building activities so everyone understands how their job contributes to the overall success of the company. My previous managerial jobs have shown me how beneficial this is for motivating employees."

How do you get the most out of your employees?

You need to know if the candidate is self-motivated, but you also need to know they can motivate and encourage their employees. They need to possess good coaching and leadership skills, which reduces employee turnover. What to look for in an answer:

  • Being a motivator 
  • Passionate 
  • Willingness to put in extra time for employees 

Example:

"I like to research training and development opportunities for my employees, which I encourage them to pursue. I regularly offer constructive feedback so they can improve their performance. I also use workplace wellness programmes to motivate employees and increase productivity."

How do you measure or evaluate the success of your employees?

Just as important as the hiring process, an area manager needs to know when to promote an employee, steer the employee in a different direction, or let the employee go. Performance appraisals and sales reports are one tool that can measure a candidate's success. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of what metrics to use to assess performance
  • Evaluation skills
  • Data collection skills

Example:

"I communicate regularly with staff about success targets and ways to achieve them. In the past, I've kept detailed records of their sales productivity and met regularly with each employee for performance evaluations. I also asked for feedback from clients to help with these evaluations."

Describe a time when you used an innovative strategy to meet a sales target.

This question allows the candidate to articulate their expertise, dedication to a project, leadership, and willingness to try something new. You'll learn their sales style and gain a better understanding of what they're most passionate about. What to look for in an answer:

  • Creativity
  • Taking initiative on a project
  • Ability to meet a goal 

Example:

"When I managed a bicycle shop, I organised school races in which the students borrowed bikes from the shop at no cost. It was at first limited to the immediate area. The kids enjoyed the races so much that many of their parents bought bikes for them, and our sales increased."

Describe a time when you created a successful marketing campaign.

You'll be able to assess their marketing background, ability to use various communications tools, and ability to collabourate with others with this question. It can show how they work independently and as part of a team to reach a goal. What to look for in an answer: 

  • Leadership skills
  • Teamwork
  • Understanding of the importance of social media

Example:

"When I managed a store that sold kitchen appliances, I launched a social media campaign. It encouraged people to post their favourite recipes during the holiday season. I brought sponsors on board to offer prizes, and it led to a significant increase in sales."

What communications skills do you have to succeed in this job?

The area manager needs to communicate verbally and in writing to clients, employees, and senior managers. To promote collabouration between the multiple locations they oversee in the area, effective communication is a must. In addition, marketing relies on having strong communications skills. Look for:

  • Customer service experience
  • Experience creating presentations and writing reports
  • Outgoing personality 

Example:

"I'm a people person, so I love interacting with others. I lead a volunteer organisation, and I regularly communicate by phone, in-person, and email to volunteers. I use social media daily to raise awareness of the organisation."

How should you respond when you disagree with a policy of upper management?

This question helps you learn about the candidate's personality traits. If they argue with upper management until they change the policy, they're too combative. If they accept any policy without a discussion, they're too passive. Qualities to listen for include:

  • Diplomatic 
  • Willingness to engage in conversation
  • Open to new ideas 

Example:

"I recognise senior managers set the policies, and everyone in the company needs to abide by them. At the same time, upper management wants feedback from area managers to ensure policies are working for everyone."

What leadership skills do you have to perform this role effectively?

Some people lead by example, while others lead by providing encouragement and motivation. An area manager needs to do both. The candidate should exude confidence and have a sound track record as a manager. Look for:

  • Persuasiveness 
  • Proven ability to get results 
  • Take charge attitude 

Example:

"I always arrive at work on time, follow company rules, act respectfully towards others, and put in extra time if needed to complete a task. My employees see this, and they behave the same way. I also praise employees when they're doing a good job, and motivate them to strive for excellence."

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