IT Manager

IT Manager qualifications to look for

An IT Manager’s primary focus is to supervise, maintain, and improve IT system operations. They also carry out new computer systems following a company’s budget and time limitations. 

At this senior-level position, top candidates will have a solid technical background and the drive to manage a team of engineers. 

Keep an eye out for candidates who have: 

• Strong communication skills
• Solid project management skills 
• Technical expertise 
• A team-leadership mindset
  

Top tip: Diversity is key to a thriving workplace. Keep an eye out for management and exec-level candidates from varying backgrounds and aim to eliminate bias from your hiring process.

Problem-solving interview questions

• Tell me about a time when you implemented significant improvements to an IT infrastructure. What was the outcome? 
• What are the most crucial duties of an IT Manager?
• What is your process to gather system and user requirements?
• What do you prioritize when making budget decisions?
• You need to negotiate for new hardware or software. What is your strategy? 
• What’s your process for storing confidential data in a secure place?
• What mentorship and guidance do you offer new team members?
• How do you train staff to ensure the effective use of corporate computer systems?
• What are your steps for preparing a cost analysis report for company computer systems?
• How do you research the installation of a new software system?  What steps would you follow before deployment?
  

Role-specific interview questions

• What IT tracking software have you used to monitor remote systems?
• What Information Analysis systems are you comfortable using?
• What do you think are the pros and cons of cloud applications?
• What methods do you find most effective to improve network security?
• A program crashed. What’s your troubleshooting and recovery process?  
• Have you created a disaster recovery plan? If so, explain the process. 
  

Behavioral interview questions

• What’s the project you’re most proud of? What was your role and how did you manage to deliver on time?
• How do you present technical details to a non-technical audience? 
• How do you handle conflicts between your team members?
• If a member of your team is underperforming, how did you motivate them?
• How do you keep current with technology trends? Do you read specific publications or follow certain resources?