Similar interview questions:

If I were to ask your professors to describe you, what would they say?

If I were to ask your former boss to describe you, what he/she say?

How would other people describe you?

Why the interviewer is asking this question:

The interviewer is looking for two things: 1) your ability to view yourself from an external perspective; and 2) potential insights from others who know you well as a third party objective opinion. In asking the question, the interviewer will likely also probe the source of the answer. So be ready to answer the follow-up question of "Why do you think they would say that?"

The best approach to answering this question:

This is where having written letters of recommendation can help you in the interview. Most people ask for letters of recommendation after the interviews are over, when references are being checked in prep for a potential offer. However, if you do your homework in advance, this is something you should be doing before you interview. It is also the best way to bulletproof your references in advance. If you have a professor with whom you've had a close relationship, ask for a letter of recommendation to be used with future employers. If you have had an internship, ask for a letter of recommendation from your boss and/or others with whom you have worked. If you have work experience that has generated a performance review, this may also be used as your documentation. Work awards can also be used. The best approach to answering this question is to be able to back it up with a written letter of recommendation, awards or other performance documentation. Answer the second question before it is asked.

An example of how to best answer this question for experienced candidates:

"My boss would say that I was one of the most productive individuals on the team and that I was key to helping our team achieve our goals for the year. We not only met our key goals for the year, we also delivered on two additional projects, one of which won the President's Award for outstanding achievement. I know she would say that, because that's what she wrote in my performance appraisal. I have a copy of it for your review, along with a copy of the President's Award that I received for the Afterburner Project. Would you like to see them?"

An example of how to best answer this question for entry level candidates:

"I have received personal feedback from several of my professors, who refer to me as one of the most dedicated students they have worked with along with recommending me for the Outstanding Student in Accounting Award. I won that award my Senior year and had been recommended by the Department Chair. I have his letter or recommendation along with the copy of the award, would you like to see them?"

An example of how you should not answer this question:

"Well, I'm not quite sure, since I really didn't have much of a relationship with any of my professors. I doubt any of them actually knew who I was. You see, I went to a public university and most of the classes were in big lecture halls. So it was really difficult to get to know a professor on a personal level. I met some of the TA's when I went in for help and tutoring and they would probably say I was a little bit slow to learn the material, but eventually got it."

Remember to answer each interview question behaviorally, whether it is a behavioral question or not. The easiest way to do this is to use an example from your background and experience. Then use the S-T-A-R approach to make the answer a STAR: talk about a Situation or Task (S-T), the Action you took (A) and the Results achieved (R). This is what makes your interview answer uniquely yours and will make your answer a star!

Similar interview questions:

Tell me about your best boss.

Did you have a boss you liked working with in the past?

What is the best way to manage you as an employee?

Why the interviewer is asking this question:

The interviewer is probing your work style. And, if the question is being asked by your potential future manager, the question is probing further into how you have responded, both positively and negatively, to managers and management input in the past. Managers are wary of potential employees who may present work style issues and this question is designed to probe for potential future problem employees.

The best approach to answering this question:

Focus on what you have done in the past to make your manager look good (or great). Even though you may want to answer the question focusing on your past manager, you should focus on what you have done in working with that manager. Even though this may seem like a subtle difference, it makes a huge difference in how your answer is presented. Focus on vision and leadership qualities as they translate into delivered results. And even though the answer is not specifically behavioral, you should answer with a behavioral example, if possible. If you had a successful manager, reference that person personally. Also, it's important to pause at the beginning of this question to give it some thought before answering.

An example of how to best answer this question for experienced candidates:

(pause) "I believe that a successful manager should provide the team with the big picture, a view and a vision of where we are going and how our work specifically fits into the overall direction of the company. Yet focused on delivering results. As an example, I had a recent manager who was excellent at keeping our team focused on delivering results which were in full alignment with a recent change in corporate direction. Let me tell you more about it..."

An example of how to best answer this question for entry level candidates:

(pause) "I have had two direct managers as well as a team lead in my past internships. It was actually the team lead in my last internship who had the qualities of a successful manager that I admired the most. While my overall manager was there to provide the team with overall direction, which was important, it was the team lead who translated that overall direction into how we could have a specific impact on a day-to-day basis. Many internships do not produce deliverable results, but what impressed me about my team lead is how she kept me focused on delivering results on a weekly basis. The net result is that I delivered my component of a critical project within the timeframe of my internship."

An example of how you should not answer this question:

"A successful manager is one who leaves me alone and let's me just get my job done. One who doesn't ask me to report on anything. And doesn't ask me to attend the stupid, endless, boring meetings. I just like to come in, put on my earphones and block out the rest of the world. That's how I get the most work done. Everything else is just an interruption to my day."