The goal of the interview is to gain insight into what makes a good manager from the perspective of the employee. Some topics to touch on in the interview could include the following:

• Does your interviewee have a favorite manager that he or she has worked with? Ask for an explanation of why this manager is a favorite.
• What does your interviewee believe makes a strong manager?
• Does your interviewee aspire to be a manager someday?
• What does your interviewee believe it means to be an effective leader (as opposed to the popular view of what a successful leader is and/or does)?
• What roles do managerial goals, objectives, decision-making, and communication play in the job on a regular basis?
• How does the interviewee handle changes at his/her organization and what specific challenges have she or he encountered with managers in the past?
• Does your interviewee have experience with internships, volunteering, and professional certifications? Have they found any, or all, to be important to career development, or securing a position as a manager?
• What advice does you interviewee offer to someone who is looking to become a manager?