How will your previous manager describe you?

October 4, 2023

If I call up your current or previous manager, what will be their opinion about you?

For experienced candidates, a very common question is “How will your previous manager describe you?”. This question is a trick question and should be answered with care. Here you will find tips and sample answers to help tackle questions like “How will your previous boss describe you?”.

Page Highlights:

Why: “How will your previous manager describe you” is asked?
How to answer: How will your previous boss describe you?
Best Possible Answer: “How will your previous manager describe you?”

Why: “How will your previous manager describe you” is asked?

For experienced candidates, HR Interviewers often ask questions like, “How will your boss describe you?”. Their aim in asking this question is mostly to check your behavior in the previous workplace. This question is especially tricky, as you are required to give a balanced answer. Saying all good things about yourself will come off as fake. Similarly, it cannot only be complaints that your previous employers have against you.

How to answer: How will your previous boss describe you?

While answering this question it is important to bound your answer in reality. Even if you are not sure how your previous manager will describe you, do not go off tangent and start listing qualities you do not possess.

Remember the following while framing your answer.

List out real things If you had good communication with your previous manager, then you can correctly guess what their opinion would be of you. Try to keep your answer as close to their opinion as possible. If you are not sure what your previous employer would say, then frame your answer such that you can highlight your strengths, which you utilized in the previous company. This can include soft skills such as leadership, punctuality, etc.

Give real examples List out qualities that you were or would have been praised for and support those qualities with real-life examples. For example, you can say that my previous manager would probably describe me as someone reliable since I have always delivered my work on time and I have never been behind schedule for any project. Or I think my manager will say that I am a warm and friendly person, as I almost always made friends with everyone I meet. Whenever we had a new team member or a temporary intern, I would always try my best to make them feel comfortable and help them with anything they need.

Highlight your positives This answer is a chance for you to highlight your positive qualities to the interviewer. You can talk about the unique selling points that make you a good employee to the interviewer and also mention real-life scenarios that back up your claim.

Important Points To Remember

While answering this question, remember the following:-
Do not hesitate, and calmly answer the question. If you hesitate or show any discomfort the interviewer might think you are faking the answer.
Be smart in answering this question, highlight the qualities which you think will help you get the job you are interviewing for.
Be specific when answering the question. When giving one trait your employer liked about you give a reason for it as well, else it will sound fake.

Important Points To Avoid

Avoid doing these while answering the question:-
Talking negative points. While it takes a lot of courage to address your shortcomings, do not talk about what your employers did not like about you. Instead, you can talk about them when the interviewer asks about your weaknesses.
Exaggerating facts. Overexplaing a certain point will make it sound like you are trying too hard and it will not look natural.
Giving false information or lying. Do not lie to the interviewer just to. If the interviewer starts cross-questioning

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Best Possible Answer: “How will your previous manager describe you?”

Refer the answers given below.

Answer 1

If my previous manager were to describe me, they would probably mention how quickly I can learn and grasp information. During our training period, I was one of the best trainees, and I was already working on proper projects even before my probation period was over. Therefore this is something that I believe will be used to describe me.

Answer 2

I think I would probably be described as a people person. I have always tried to keep a cheerful and welcoming attitude. In my previous job, I would often be the one guiding new trainees and interns, and I always strived to make sure that they are comfortable.

Answer 3

My previous boss would mostly call me a reliable person who has never missed a deadline. During my entire work period, I always tried to make sure that I am never late on submission, and my work ethic was always praised by my seniors and peers, as well as the management,

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FAQs on How will your manager describe you?

Question: What if I don't know what my manager thought of me?

Answer:-

Even if that is the case, you should not say you don’t know. Instead, try to give experiences from your work time, and what you think your manager thought of you.

Question: Is this questions asked to Freshers?

Answer:-

This exact question is not asked to freshers, however, they can ask you what your professors or faculty members thought of you.

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