Questions To Ask When Interviewing A Supervisor

So, you’ve landed an interview. Great. But here’s the twist: you’re the one asking the questions. Not just any questions—questions for your future supervisor. This isn’t a chore. It’s a high-stakes detective mission. You’re Sherlock, and they’re the suspect in the case of "Will This Job Suck?"

Why is this fun? Because bosses are weird. According to a 2023 survey, one in three employees secretly thinks their manager is a robot. Not literally—but emotionally. You want to hire a human, not a glitchy android who replies in spreadsheets.

First, ask about their panic style. "How do you handle a surprise deadline?" You’re not being nosy. You’re checking for fire drills. A great boss says, "I delegate." A nightmare boss says, "I cry in the supply closet." Both are honest, but only one gets a pass. Probe deeper: "Tell me about the last time something went spectacularly wrong." Watch their face. Do they smile? That’s a green flag. Do they twitch? Run.

Next, uncover their meeting philosophy. "Do you believe in a meetings-free day?" This is crucial. One study found the average manager spends 23 hours a week in meetings. That’s almost a full day of staring at co-workers’ ceiling fans. If they say, "No, I love back-to-back syncs," they might be a vampire who steals your time. A good reply: "I protect my team’s focus blocks with a fierce calendar." Hire that person.

The Toxic Test

Now, get personal—without being creepy. Ask: "What’s your favorite kind of feedback to give?" The answer reveals everything. If they say, "Constructive criticism," they’re fine. If they say, "I like to catch people doing something wrong," you’re interviewing for a prison warden role. Bonus points if they mention "praise" or "candy."

Here’s a quirky detail: Ninety percent of managers admit to having a "work spouse." That’s a colleague they gossip with. Ask: "Who would you say is your work bestie?" If they name someone outside their team, they’re balanced. If they name their assistant? Yikes. You just found the office puppet master.

What Is A Hiring Manager? Role, Responsibilities, Salary

Try a curveball: "If your team were a Netflix show, which one?" This isn’t silly—it’s psychological. A boss who says "The Office" is self-aware. One who says "Game of Thrones" will betray you. One who says "Bluey" is a precious unicorn. Hire them immediately.

The Power Move

Now, go for the jugular with a vulnerability query. "What’s something you’ve learned from a junior employee?" Silence? Bad. A story about a typo? Good. A story about a junior employee who taught them the "secret to happiness"? You’ve struck gold. This boss has a growth mindset, not a crown.

Fun fact: Forty percent of employees say their boss has never apologized. So ask: "When was the last time you said sorry at work?" If they laugh and say, "Last Tuesday," you’re safe. If they stare blankly, they’re a narcissist in khakis. Trust the gut feeling.

Supervisor Interview Questions [Updated 2023]

Don’t forget the elephant question. "If you could fire one person with zero consequences, who and why?" Their answer reveals their resentment level. A good boss says "No one," or "A coffee thief." A dangerous one gives a real name. That’s your sign to exit stage left.

Finally, flip the script. Ask: "What do you want me to ask you?" This is a Jedi trick. A great supervisor will say, "Ask me about my failures." A lousy one says, "Ask me about my awards." Which one sounds like a LinkedIn profile bot? Exactly.

Let’s wrap with a wild stat: 75% of workplace nightmares are caused by bad bosses, not bad jobs. Your interview is a vaccine. So ask these questions with a grin. You’re not being difficult. You’re being a detective with a sense of humor. And if they flinch? You just saved yourself a year of "reply all" emails and forced fun.

Go on. Be the person who asks the weird questions. Your future sanity—and your lunch break—will thank you.