The job market is growing more competitive day in, day out. Interviewers need to ascertain more than just your work experience to offer you a position. Therefore, adequate preparation before stepping into an interview room enhances your chances of landing the job.
In this particular article, we take a look at some of the common questions asked in an MIS Executive position interview. Commonly known as Management Information System Executives, these personalities plan, coordinate, and direct all computer-related activities in an organization.
These questions should give you a head start over your fellow interviewees. Here are the top 20 frequently asked interview questions for the MIS Executive position:
1. Why are You Interested in This Role?
You must have realized that this is one of the first questions asked in interviews. Even though people have different interpretations, this is a chance to sell yourself. The interviewer wants to know why you tendered in your application and if your reason makes you a good fit for the job.
Tip#1: Avoid mentioning material reasons.
Tip#2: Your reason should convince the interviewer that you will be an asset to the company.
Sample Answer
In my 20 years as an information systems specialist, I have grown more passionate and experienced. I believe that I have all it takes to steer your company to even higher levels through this role. This role will also give me a chance to advance my career.
2. What Are the Roles of an MIS Executive?
The interviewer wants to know if you understand your job description, which is essential, especially if this will be your first time as an MIS executive.
Tip #1: You should have the roles of an MIS executive at your fingertips before stepping into an interview room.
Tip #2: Mention the prominent roles. Learn to answer such questions briefly.
Sample Answer
A management information system specialist is in charge of all computer-related activities in an organization. He/ she plans, coordinates, and directs these activities while still helping the company come up with and meet its information technology goals.
3. What Are the Qualities that an MIS Executive Should Possess to be Effective?
The interviewer wants to know if you understand what it takes to be a successful MIS Executive. Always remember that every job has its desirable set of qualities.
Tip #1: Only mention qualities that are job-specific.
Tip #2: You can mention some of the qualities that have proven critical in your career.
Sample Answer
Given the nature of the task at hand, an MIS Executive should be attentive to detail and possess impressive diagnostic skills. He/ she should be an effective communicator and an experienced team manager. He/ she should also have excellent leadership skills given that a team is involved.
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? How Did You Overcome It?
Finding solutions to problems is an essential skill that employers are constantly looking for. From your past experiences in dealing with issues, an employer can know whether you are a good problem solver or not.
Tip #1: Convince the interviewer that you are a good problem-solver. You can also highlight extra qualities.
Tip #2: The challenges should not be a result of your incompetence.
Sample Answer
When I was promoted to an MIS Executive in my previous workplace, I quickly realized that the people directly responsible for the IT systems were not adequately equipped. I immediately organized for training and came up with an equipment budget that I presented to the organization’s top management. After lots of convincing, they passed it, and in no time, the IT department became the most competent part of the firm.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine as an MIS Executive
This is not one of the questions that may people expect in interviews. However, some interviewers love to know if you properly understand the workplace and what is required.
Tip #1: Only mention job-specific activities.
Tip #2: Do not include illegal activities you may have been doing at your former workplace.
Sample Answer
My role as an MIS executive revolves around information systems. I will be reporting early to work and checking if all the IT systems are functional. If not, I will troubleshoot them after complete analysis. I will dedicate part of my day to interpreting briefs, assisting with training, and updating different software.
6. Describe Briefly about Your Experience
No one has a definite answer to this question. However, you can choose to approach this in two ways. You can either mention some of the places you have worked in or some of the systems and IT products you are experienced in. We advise that you pick the latter.
Tip #1: Your work experience is captured in your CV. Therefore, mention some of the products and systems that you have experience in.
Tip #2: Do not repeat what you have captured in your CV or mix them.
Sample Answer
My first job at Dewald Motor Insurance exposed me to transaction process systems which I have vast experience. I have learned how to reboot some of the most complex systems over time. My experience has also taught me to deal with different teams.
7. What Kind of Strategies and Mindset is Required for This Role?
Every job requires its mindset and strategies. Therefore, the interviewer must ascertain that your way of thinking and doing things will be beneficial to the task at hand.
Tip #1: The strategy and mindset that you choose should be suited for the job at hand.
Tip #2: What you choose should make your job easier.
Sample Answer
Management Information System Executives are usually required to come up with solutions. Therefore, the perfect mindset for this role is solution-orientedness. As for strategies, one needs to work with a team.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge that You Foresee in This Role?
Every job comes with its distinct set of challenges. The interviewer expects you to have conducted your research by now and identified some possible challenges and solutions.
Tip#1: Do not come off as incompetent
Tip #2: mention a solution if possible.
Sample Answer
I have observed that at times one is expected to work during the weekends. Being a Seventh Day Adventists, this may prove challenging. However, I believe that we can come up with a way of going around this, such as working overtime on Fridays.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated at Work?
The interviewer wants to know what keeps you going. We all have different motivating factors. However, your motivation should come from within.
Tip #1: Your motivation should not be material in nature.
Tip #2: You can use this chance to sell yourself.
Sample Answer
My primary motivation comes from meeting set deadlines. I am a self-driven individual who believes in completing all the scheduled tasks on time. I also love results, and anytime I perform well, I am motivated to work even harder.
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10. Describe a Time You Failed in This Role and the Lesson You Learned
We all fail at one point in our jobs. However, that should not deter us. The interviewer wants to know whether you can rise from challenges and some of the lessons you have learned over time.
Tip #1: Do not talk of a recent failure.
Tip #2: Underline the lesson learned.
Sample Answer
During my early years as an information systems officer, I did not take a routine check of the systems when I took over from my boss. I later came to identify some problems late and almost lost the company’s important information. I learned to always perform a routine check at the beginning of every project or each day.
11. What Role Does MIS Play?
You need to know what Management Information System is to be an effective manager. This is a fundamental technical question that you should know.
Tip #1: Go straight to the point
Tip #2: Answer this question confidently.
Sample answer
MIS helps the management of a company to make strategic, tactical, and operational decisions. It captures information about the company’s assets. Some of its objectives are data storage, retrieval, and propagation.
12. What are the Different Types of MIS?
The interviewer is assessing your knowledge of the fundamentals of MIS.
Tip #1: Show the interviewer that you are knowledgeable.
Tip #2: Answer this question confidently.
Sample Answer
There are three types of MIS. These are databank information systems, predictive information systems, and decision support systems. (You can go ahead and provide a brief explanation of what these are)
13. Tell Us About the Levels of Information Requirement In an MIS?
You should expect such technical questions when interviewing for this position. The interviewer must ascertain that you fully understand MIS.
Tip #1: Provide a brief reply.
Tip #2: Ensure that you get this right.
Sample Answer
There are four levels of information requirements in an MIS, namely organizational, technical, and database.
14. Tell Us Some of The Strategies That You Will Follow to Apply MIS to a Business
Do you have what it takes to steer the company to success as an MIS Executive? That’s what the interviewer wants to know.
Tip #1: Show the interviewer that you are the perfect fit for the job at hand.
Tip #2: Convince the interviewer that you can apply MIS to the business.
Sample Answer
I will first understand its primary needs and outline its goals before deciding on the right MIS. I will then reach out to several clients, pick the best ones based on their offerings, and train employees to handle big data.
15. How Can You Protect Your Worksheet Against Editing?
Most companies have realized the importance of Excel in data presentation and organization. Therefore, expect to be assessed on that.
Tip #1: Convince the interviewer that you value data security.
Tip #2: Show that you are experienced in Excel.
Sample Answer
Data security is paramount. To protect my worksheets from getting edited, I usually used a password or lock the range.
16. Tell Us About the Core Principle of MIS
Such questions seek to assess whether you completely understand MIS or not. Therefore, be careful whenever they are asked.
Tip #1: Confidence is key
Tip #2: Make the interviewer believe that you understand what you are talking about.
Sample Answer
MIS’s core principle is to enable decision-making, achieved by offering updated and correct information to the responsible parties.
17. Do You Understand the Levels of Decision Making in MIS?
You should keep in mind that several managers rely on information systems to enhance their decision-making abilities.
Tip#1: Acknowledge that MIS helps managers make different levels of decisions.
Tip #2: Mention all the levels of decision-making involved.
Sample Answer
Having a reliable MIS system comes in handy in different levels of decision-making. These are senior management, strategic level management, technical experts, middle management, operation management, and individual employees.
18. Tell Us About the Elements of Decision Making in MIS?
You need to understand that decision-making is an integral part of management, which an MIS executive falls under.
Tip #1: Mention all the elements of decision-making in MIS.
Tip #2: Do not think too hard.
Sample Answer
The elements of decision-making in MIS are optimization, constraint, and model.
19. Could You Tell Us Some of the Advantages MIS Plays in a Business?
The interviewer wants to know if you understand the importance of MIS in business.
Tip #1: You do not have to mention everything.
Tip #2: Start with the main advantages.
Sample Answer
MIS offers single database access to stakeholders. It saves managers time without compromising on accuracy. It also reduces paperwork and provides a competitive advantage. (You can mention other benefits)
20. Tell Us About Some of the Approaches Used to Design an MIS
The interviewer wants to know if you understand how to come up with an MIS given that you have applied for an executive position.
Tip #1: Answer calmly.
Tip #2: mention all the approaches.
Sample Answer
The approaches used in designing an MIS are top-down, database, data-collection, integrate-later, and organization-chart approaches.
Conclusion
Those are some of the commonly asked MIS Executive Interview Questions. I hope that they will help you ace your interview.
