Complete List of Behavioral Interview Questions

http://blog.emurse.com/2007/05/21/complete-list-of-behavioral-interview-questions/
Mandatory questions
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
3. Why are you interested in working for us?
Adaptability
Describe a maor change that occurre! in a ob that "ou hel!. #ow !i! "ou a!apt to this
change$
%ell us about a situation in which "ou ha! to a!ust to changes over which "ou ha! no
control. #ow !i! "ou han!le it$
%ell us about a time that "ou ha! to a!apt to a !ifficult situation.
&hat !o "ou !o when priorities change quic'l"$ (ive one e)ample of when this
happene!.
Ambition
Describe a proect or i!ea that was implemente! primaril" because of "our efforts. &hat
was "our role$ &hat was the outcome$
Describe a time when "ou ma!e a suggestion to improve the wor' in "our organi*ation.
(ive an e)ample of an important goal that "ou set in the past. %ell about "our success in
reaching it.
(ive two e)amples of things "ou+ve !one in previous obs t hat !emonstrate "our
willingness to wor' har!.
#ow man" hours a !a" !o "ou put into "our wor'$ &hat were "our stu!" patterns at
school$
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to go above an! be"on! the call of !ut" in or!er to get
a ob !one.
%ell us about a time when a ob ha! to be complete! an! "ou were able to focus "our
attention an! efforts to get it !one.
%ell us about a time when "ou were particularl" effective on prioriti*ing tas's an!
completing a proect on sche!ule.
%ell us about the last time that "ou un!ertoo' a proect that !eman!e! a lot of initiative.
%ell us how "ou 'eep "our ob 'nowle!ge current with the on going changes in the
in!ustr".
%here are times when we wor' without close supervision or support to get the ob !one.
%ell us about a time when "ou foun! "ourself in such a situation an! how things turne!
out.
&hat impact !i! "ou have in "our last ob$
&hat is the most competitive wor' situation "ou have e)perience!$ #ow !i! "ou han!le
it$ &hat was the result$
&hat is the ris'iest !ecision "ou have ma!e$ &hat was the situation$ &hat happene!$
&hat 'in!s of challenges !i! "ou face on "our last ob$ (ive an e)ample of how "ou
han!le! them.
&hat proects have "ou starte! on "our own recentl"$ &hat prompte! "ou to get starte!$
&hat sorts of things have "ou !one to become better qualifie! for "our career$
&hat was the best i!ea that "ou came up with in "our career$ #ow !i! "ou appl" it$
&hen "ou !isagree with "our manager, what !o "ou !o$ (ive an e)ample.
&hen "ou have a lot of wor' to !o, how !o "ou get it all !one$ (ive an e)ample$
Analytical Thinking
Describe the proect or situation which best !emonstrates "our anal"tical abilities. &hat
was "our role$
Developing an! using a !etaile! proce!ure is often ver" important in a ob. %ell about a
time when "ou nee!e! to !evelop an! use a !etaile! proce!ure to successfull" complete a
proect.
(ive a specific e)ample of a time when "ou use! goo! u!gment an! login in solving a
problem.
(ive me a specific e)ample of a time when "ou use! goo! u!gment an! logic in solving
a problem.
(ive me an e)ample of when "ou too' a ris' to achieve a goal. &hat was the outcome$
#ow !i! "ou go about ma'ing the changes -step b" step.$ /nswer in !epth or !etail such
as 0&hat were "ou thin'ing at that point$1 or 0%ell me more about meeting with that
person1, or 02ea! me through "our !ecision process1.
3elate a specific instance when "ou foun! it necessar" to be precise in "our in or!er to
complete the ob.
%ell us about a ob or setting where great precision to !etail was require! to complete a
tas'. #ow !i! "ou han!le that situation$
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to anal"*e information an! ma'e a recommen!ation.
&hat 'in! of thought process !i! "ou go through$ &hat was "our reasoning behin! "our
!ecision$
%ell us about "our e)perience in past obs that require! "ou to be especiall" alert to
!etails while !oing the tas' involve!.
Building Relationships
(ive a specific e)ample of a time when "ou ha! to a!!ress an angr" customer. &hat was
the problem an! what was the outcome$ #ow woul! "ou asses "our role in !iffusing the
situation$
4t is ver" important to buil! goo! relationships at wor' but sometimes it !oesn+t alwa"s
wor'. 4f "ou can, tell about a time when "ou were not able to buil! a successful
relationship with a !ifficult person.
%ell us about a time when "ou built rapport quic'l" with someone un!er !ifficult
con!itions.
&hat, in "our opinion, are the 'e" ingre!ients in gui!ing an! maintaining successful
business relationships$ (ive e)amples of how "ou ma!e these wor' for "ou.
Business Systems Thinking
Describe how "our position contributes to "our organi*ation+s/unit+s goals. &hat are the
unit+s goals/mission$
%ell us about a politicall" comple) wor' situation in which "ou wor'e!.
Caution
#ave "ou ever wor'e! in a situation where the rules an! gui!elines were not clear$ %ell
me about it. #ow !i! "ou feel about it$ #ow !i! "ou react$
5ome people consi!er themselves to be 0big picture people1 an! others are 0!etail
oriente!1. &hich are "ou$ (ive an e)ample of a time when "ou !ispla"e! this.
%ell us me about a situation when it was important for "ou to pa" attention to !etails.
#ow !i! "ou han!le it$
%ell us me about a time when "ou !emonstrate! too much initiative$
Communication
Describe a situation in which "ou were able to effectivel" 0rea!1 another person an!
gui!e "our actions b" "our un!erstan!ing of their in!ivi!ual nee!s or values.
Describe a situation when "ou were able to strengthen a relationship b" communicating
effectivel". &hat ma!e "our communication effective$
Describe a situation where "ou felt "ou ha! not communicate! well. #ow !i! "ou correct
the situation$
Describe a time when "ou were able to effectivel" communicate a !ifficult or unpleasant
i!ea to a superior.
Describe the most significant written !ocument, report or presentation which "ou ha! to
complete.
(ive me an e)ample of a time when "ou were able to successfull" communicate with
another person, even when that in!ivi!ual ma" not have personall" li'e! "ou , or vice
versa.
(ive me an e)ample of a time when "ou were able to successfull" communicate with
another person, even when that in!ivi!ual ma" not have personall" li'e! "ou.
#ave "ou ever ha! to 0sell1 an i!ea to "our co-wor'ers or group$ #ow !i! "ou !o it$ Di!
the" 0bu"1 it$
#ave "ou ha! to 0sell1 an i!ea to "our co-wor'ers, classmates or group$ #ow !i! "ou !o
it$ Di! the" 0bu"1 it$
#ow !o "ou 'eep subor!inates informe! about information that affects their obs$
#ow !o "ou 'eep "our manager informe! about what is being !one in "our wor' area$
#ow !o "ou go about e)plaining a comple) technical problem to a person who !oes not
un!erstan! technical argon$&hat approach !o "ou ta'e in communicating with people$
&hat 'in!s of communication situations cause "ou !ifficult"$ (ive an e)ample.
%ell us about a recent successful e)perience in ma'ing a speech or presentation. #ow !i!
"ou prepare$ &hat obstacles !i! "ou face$ #ow !i! "ou han!le them$
%ell us about a time when "ou an! "our current/previous supervisor !isagree! but "ou
still foun! a wa" to get "our point across.
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to present comple) information. #ow !i! "ou ensure
that the other person un!erstoo!$
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to use "our verbal communication s'ills in or!er to get
a point across that was important to "ou.
%ell us about a time when "ou were particularl" effective in a tal' "ou gave or a seminar
"ou taught.
%ell us about an e)perience in which "ou ha! to spea' up in or!er to be sure that other
people 'new what "ou thought or felt.
%ell us me about a situation when "ou ha! to spea' up -be assertive. in or!er to get a
point across that was important to "ou.
%ell us me about a time in which "ou ha! to use "our written communication s'ills in
or!er to get an important point across.
&hat challenges have occurre! while "ou were coor!inating wor' with other units,
!epartments, an!/or !ivisions$
&hat have "ou !one to improve "our verbal communication s'ills$
#ow have "ou persua!e! people through a !ocument "ou prepare!$
&hat are the most challenging !ocuments "ou have !one$ &hat 'in!s of proposals have
"our written$
&hat 'in!s of writing have "ou !one$ #ow !o "ou prepare written communications$
Conflict Resolution
Describe a time when "ou too' personal accountabilit" for a conflict an! initiate! contact
with the in!ivi!ual-s. involve! to e)plain "our actions.
Customer Orientation
#ow !o "ou han!le problems with customers$ (ive an e)ample.
#ow !o "ou go about establishing rapport with a customer$ &hat have "ou !one to gain
their confi!ence$ (ive an e)ample.
&hat have "ou !one to improve relations with "our customers$
Decision Making
Discuss an important !ecision "ou have ma!e regar!ing a tas' or proect at wor'. &hat
factors influence! "our !ecision$
6ver"one has ma!e some poor !ecisions or has !one something that ust !i! not turn out
right. #as this happene! to "ou$ &hat happene!$
(ive an e)ample of a time in which "ou ha! to be relativel" quic' in coming to a
!ecision.
(ive an e)ample of a time in which "ou ha! to 'eep from spea'ing or not finish a tas'
because "ou !i! not have enough information to come to a goo! !ecision. (ive an
e)ample of a time when there was a !ecision to be ma!e an! proce!ures were not in
place$
(ive an e)ample of a time when "ou ha! to be relativel" quic' in coming to a !ecision.
(ive me an e)ample of a time when "ou ha! to 'eep from spea'ing or ma'ing a !ecision
because "ou !i! not have enough information.
#ow !i! "ou go about !eci!ing what strateg" to emplo" when !ealing with a !ifficult
customer$
#ow !o "ou go about !eveloping 4 information to ma'e a !ecision$ (ive an e)ample.
#ow !o "ou involve "our manager an!/or others when "ou ma'e a !ecision$
#ow have "ou gone about ma'ing important !ecisions$
#ow quic'l" !o "ou ma'e !ecisions$ (ive an e)ample.
4n a current ob tas', what steps !o "ou go through to ensure "our !ecisions are
correct/effective$
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to !efen! a !ecision "ou ma!e even though other
important people were oppose! to "our !ecision.
&hat 'in! of !ecisions !o "ou ma'e rapi!l"$ &hat 'in! ta'es more time$ (ive
e)amples.
&hat 'in!s of problems have "ou ha! coor!inating technical proects$ #ow !i! "ou
solve t hem$
&hat was "our most !ifficult !ecision in the last 7 months$ &hat ma!e it !ifficult$
&hen "ou have to ma'e a highl" technical !ecision, how !o "ou go about !oing it$
Delegation
Do "ou consi!er "ourself a macro or micro manager$ #ow !o "ou !elegate$
#ow !o "ou ma'e the !ecision to !elegate wor'$
%ell us how "ou go about !elegating wor'$
&hat was the biggest mista'e "ou have ha! when !elegating wor'$ %he biggest success$
Detail-Oriented
Describe a situation where "ou ha! the option to leave the !etails to others or "ou coul!
ta'e care of them "ourself.
Do prefer to wor' with the 0big picture1 or the 0!etails1 of a situation$ (ive me an
e)ample of an e)perience that illustrates "our preference.
#ave the obs "ou hel! in the past require! little attention, mo!erate attention, or a great
!eal of attention to !etail$ (ive me an e)ample of a situation that illustrates this
requirement.
%ell us about a !ifficult e)perience "ou ha! in wor'ing with !etails.
%ell us about a situation where attention to !etail was either important or unimportant in
accomplishing an assigne! tas'.
mployee De!elopment
%ell us about a training program that "ou have !evelope! or enhance!.
!aluating Alternati!es
#ave "ou ever ha! a situation where "ou ha! a number of alternatives to choose from$
#ow !i! "ou go about choosing one$
#ow !i! "ou assemble the information$
#ow !i! "ou review the information$ &hat process !i! "ou follow to reach a
conclusion$
&hat alternatives !i! "ou !evelop$
&hat are some of the maor !ecisions "ou have ma!e over the past -7, 12, 18. months$
&hat 'in!s of !ecisions are most !ifficult for "ou$ Describe one$
&ho ma!e the !ecision$
"le#ibility
#ave "ou ever ha! a subor!inate whose performance was consistentl" marginal$ &hat
!i! "ou !o$
#ow have "ou a!uste! "our st"le when it was not meeting the obectives an!/or people
were not respon!ing correctl"$
&hat !o "ou !o when "ou are face! with an obstacle to an important proect$ (ive an
e)ample.
&hen "ou have !ifficult" persua!ing someone to "our point of view, what !o "ou !o$
(ive an e)ample.
"ollo$-up and Control
#ow !i! "ou 'eep trac' of !elegate! assignments$
#ow !o "ou evaluate the pro!uctivit"/effectiveness of "our subor!inates$
#ow !o "ou get !ata for performance reviews$
#ow !o "ou 'eep trac' of what "our subor!inates are !oing$
&hat a!ministrative paperwor' !o "ou have$ 4s it useful$ &h"/wh" not$
%nitiati!e
(ive me an e)ample of when "ou ha! to go above an! be"on! the call of !ut" in or!er to
get a ob !one.
(ive me e)amples of proects/tas's "ou starte! on "our own.
(ive some instances in which "ou anticipate! problems an! were able to influence a new
!irection.
#ow !i! "ou get wor' assignments at "our most recent emplo"er$
&hat changes !i! "ou !evelop at "our most recent emplo"er$
&hat 'in!s of things reall" get "our e)cite!$
&hat sorts of proects !i! "ou generate that require! "ou to go be"on! "our ob
!escription$
&hat sorts of things !i! "ou !o at school that were be"on! e)pectations$
%nterpersonal Skills
Describe a recent unpopular !ecision "ou ma!e an! what the result was.
Describe a recent unpopular !ecision "ou ma!e an! what the result was.
Describe a situation in which "ou were able to effectivel" 0rea!1 another person an!
gui!e "our actions b" "our un!erstan!ing of their nee!s an! values.
%ell us about the most !ifficult or frustrating in!ivi!ual that "ou+ve ever ha! to wor'
with, an! how "ou manage! to wor' with them.
&hat have "ou !one in past situations to contribute towar! a teamwor' environment$
&hat have "ou !one in the past to contribute towar! a teamwor' environment$
%nno!ation
9an "ou thin' of a situation where innovation was require! at wor'$ &hat !i! "ou !o in
this situation$
Describe a situation when "ou !emonstrate! initiative an! too' action without waiting for
!irection. &hat was the outcome$
Describe a time when "ou came up with a creative solution/i!ea/proect/report to a
problem in "our past wor'.
Describe something that "ou have implemente! at wor'. &hat were the steps use! to
implement this$
Describe the most creative wor'-relate! proect which "ou have carrie! out.
(ive me an e)ample of when "ou too' a ris' to achieve a goal. &hat was the outcome$
5ometimes it is essential that we brea' out of the routine, stan!ar!i*e! wa" of !oing
things in or!er to complete the tas'. (ive an e)ample of when "ou were able to
successfull" !evelop such a new approach.
%ell us about a problem that "ou solve! in a unique or unusual wa". &hat was the
outcome$ &ere "ou satisfie! with it$
%ell us about a suggestion "ou ma!e to improve the wa" ob processes/operations
wor'e!. &hat was the result$
%here are man" obs in which well-establishe! metho!s are t"picall" followe!. (ive a
specific e)ample of a time when "ou trie! some other metho! to !o the ob.
%here are man" obs that require creative or innovative thin'ing. (ive an e)ample of
when "ou ha! such a ob an! how "ou han!le! it.
&hat have been some of "our most creative i!eas$
&hat innovative proce!ures have "ou !evelope!$ #ow !i! "ou !evelop them$ &ho was
involve!$ &here !i! the i!eas come from$
&hat new or unusual i!eas have "ou !evelope! on "our ob$ #ow !i! "ou !evelop them$
&hat was the result$ Di! "ou implement them$
&hen was the last time that "ou thought 0outsi!e of the bo)1 an! how !i! "ou !o it$
%ntegrity
Describe a time when "ou were as'e! to 'eep information confi!ential.
(ive e)amples of how "ou have acte! with integrit" in "our ob/wor' relationship.
4f "ou can, tell about a time when "our trustworthiness was challenge!. #ow !i! "ou
react/respon!$
:n occasion we are confronte! b" !ishonest" in the wor'place. %ell about such an
occurrence an! how "ou han!le! it.
%ell us about a specific time when "ou ha! to han!le a tough problem which challenge!
fairness or ethnical issues.
%rust requires personal accountabilit". 9an "ou tell about a time when "ou chose to trust
someone$ &hat was the outcome$
%ntroducing Change
#ave "ou ever ha! to intro!uce a polic" change to "our wor' group$ #ow !i! "ou !o it$
#ave "ou ever met resistance when implementing a new i!ea or polic" to a wor' group$
#ow !i! "ou !eal with it$ &hat happene!$
&hen is the last time "ou ha! to intro!uce a new i!ea or proce!ure to people on this ob$
#ow !i! "ou !o it$
&eadership
(ive an e)ample of a time in which "ou felt "ou were able to buil! motivation in "our
co-wor'ers or subor!inates at wor'.
(ive an e)ample of "our abilit" to buil! motivation in "our co-wor'ers, classmates, an!
even if on a volunteer committee.
#ave "ou ever ha! !ifficult" getting others to accept "our i!eas$ &hat was "our
approach$ Di! it wor'$
#ave "ou ever been a member of a group where two of the members !i! not wor' well
together$ &hat !i! "ou !o to get them to !o so$
&hat is the toughest group that "ou have ha! to get cooperation from$
&hat is the toughest group that "ou have ha! to get cooperation from$ Describe how "ou
han!le! it. &hat was the outcome$
&istening
(ive an e)ample of a time when "ou ma!e a mista'e because "ou !i! not listen well to
what someone ha! to sa".
#ow often !o "ou have to rel" on information "ou have gathere! from others when
tal'ing to them$ &hat 'in!s of problems have "ou ha!$ &hat happene!$
&hat !o "ou !o to show people that "ou are listing to them$
&hen is listening important on "our ob$ &hen is listening !ifficult$
Moti!ating Others
#ave "ou ever ha! a subor!inate whose wor' was alwa"s marginal$ #ow !i! "ou !eal
with that person$ &hat happene!$
#ow !o "ou !eal with people whose wor' e)cee!s "our e)pectations$
#ow !o "ou get subor!inates to pro!uce at a high level$ (ive an e)ample.
#ow !o "ou get subor!inates to wor' at their pea' potential$ (ive an e)ample.
#ow !o "ou manage cross-functional teams$
Moti!ation
Describe a situation when "ou were able to have a positive influence on the actions of
others.
(ive an e)ample of a time when "ou went above an! be"on! the call of !ut".
(ive me an e)ample of a time when "ou went above an! be"on! the call of !ut".
#ow woul! "ou !efine 0success1 for someone in "our chosen career$
%ell us me about an important goal that "ou set in the past. &ere "ou successful$ &h"$
'egotiating
Describe the most challenging negotiation in which "ou were involve!. &hat !i! "ou !o$
&hat were the results for "ou$ &hat were the results for the other part"$
#ave "ou ever been in a situation where "ou ha! to bargain with someone$ #ow !i! "ou
feel about this$ &hat !i! "ou !o$ (ive an e)ample.
#ow !i! "ou prepare for it$
#ow !i! "ou present "our position$
#ow !i! "ou resolve it$
%ell us about the last time "ou ha! to negotiate with someone.
&hat was the most !ifficult part$
Organi(ational
Describe a time when "ou ha! to ma'e a !ifficult choice between "our personal an!
professional life.
(ive me an e)ample of a proect that best !escribes "our organi*ational s'ills.
#ow !o "ou !eci!e what gets top priorit" when sche!uling "our time$
&hat !o "ou !o when "our sche!ule is su!!enl" interrupte!$ (ive an e)ample.
)erformance Management
(ive an e)ample of a time when "ou helpe! a staff member accept change an! ma'e the
necessar" a!ustments to move forwar!. &hat were the change/transition s'ills that "ou
use!.
(ive an e)ample of how "ou have been successful at empowering either a person or a
group of people into accomplishing a tas'.
#ow !o "ou han!le a subor!inate whose wor' is not up to e)pectations$
#ow !o "ou coach a subor!inate to !evelop a new s'ill$
#ow !o "ou han!le performance reviews$ %ell me about a !ifficult one.
#ow often !o "ou !iscuss a subor!inate+s performance with him/her$ (ive an e)ample.
%ell us about a specific !evelopment plan that "ou create! an! carrie! out with one or
more of "our emplo"ees. &hat was the specific situation$ &hat were the components of
the !evelopment plan$ &hat was the outcome$
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to ta'e !isciplinar" action with someone "ou
supervise!.
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to tell a staff member that "ou were !issatisfie! with
his or her wor'.
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to use "our authorit" to get something !one. &here
there an" negative consequences$
%here are times when people nee! e)tra help. (ive an e)ample of when "ou were able to
provi!e that support to a person with whom "ou wor'e!.
&hat have "ou !one to !evelop the s'ills of "our staff$
&hen !o "ou give positive fee!bac' to people$ %ell me about the last time "ou !i!. (ive
an e)ample of how "ou han!le the nee! for constructive criticism with a subor!inate or
peer.
)ersonal ffecti!eness
(ive an e)ample of a situation where others were intense but "ou were able to maintain
"our composure.
4t is important to maintain a positive attitu!e at wor' when "ou have other things on "our
min!. (ive a specific e)ample of when "ou were able to !o that.
;eeping others informe! of "our progress/actions helps them fell comfortable. %ell "our
metho!s for 'eeping "our supervisor a!vise! of the status on proects.
%ell us about a recent ob or e)perience that "ou woul! !escribe as a real learning
e)perience$ &hat !i! "ou learn from the ob or e)perience$
%ell us about a time when "ou too' responsibilit" for an error an! were hel! personall"
accountable.
%ell us about a time when "our supervisor critici*e! "our wor'. #ow !i! "ou respon!$
%ell us about some !eman!ing situations in which "ou manage! to remain calm an!
compose!.
%here are times when we are place! un!er e)treme pressure on the ob. %ell about a time
when "ou were un!er such pressure an! how "ou han!le! it.
&hat have "ou !one to further "our own professional !evelopment in the past 5 "ears.
&hen "ou have been ma!e aware of, or have !iscovere! for "ourself, a problem in "our
wor' performance, what was "our course of action$ 9an "ou give an e)ample$
)ersuasion
Describe a situation in which "ou were able to positivel" influence the actions of others
in a !esire! !irection.
Describe a situation where "ou were able to use persuasion to successfull" convince
someone to see things "our wa".
Describe a time when "ou were able to convince a s'eptical or resistant customer to
purchase a proect or utili*e "our services.
#ave "ou ever ha! to persua!e a group to accept a proposal or i!ea$ #ow !i! "ou go
about !oing it$ &hat was the result$
#ave "ou ever ha! to persua!e a peer or manager to accept an i!ea that "ou 'new the"
woul! not li'e$ Describe the resistance "ou met an! how "ou overcame it.
#ow !o "ou get a peer or colleague to accept one of "our i!eas$
4n selling an i!ea, it is sometimes useful to use metaphors, analogies, or stories to ma'e
"our point. (ive a recent e)ample of when "ou were able to successfull" !o that.
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to convince someone in authorit" about "our i!eas.
#ow !i! it wor' out$
%ell us about a time when "ou use! facts an! reason to persua!e someone to accept "our
recommen!ation.
%ell us about a time when "ou use! "our lea!ership abilit" to gain support for what
initiall" ha! strong opposition.
%ell us about a time when "ou were able to successfull" influence another person.
)lanning and Organi(ation
Describe how "ou !evelop a proect team+s goals an! proect plan$
#ow !o "ou sche!ule "our time$ 5et priorities$ #ow !o "ou han!le !oing twent" things
at once$
&hat !o "ou !o when "our time sche!ule or proect plan is upset b" unforeseen
circumstances$ (ive an e)ample.
&hat have "ou !one in or!er to be effective with "our organi*ation an! planning$
)resentation
#ow !o "ou prepare for a presentation to a group of technical e)perts in "our fiel!$
#ow woul! "ou !escribe "our presentation st"le$
%ell us about the most effective presentation "ou have ma!e. &hat was the topic$ &hat
ma!e it !ifficult$ #ow !i! "ou han!le it$
&hat 'in!s of oral presentations have "ou ma!e$ #ow !i! "ou prepare for them$ &hat
challenges !i! "ou have$
)roblem Sol!ing
Describe the most !ifficult wor'ing relationship "ou+ve ha! with an in!ivi!ual. &hat
specific actions !i! "ou ta'e to improve the relationship$ &hat was the outcome$
(ive me an e)ample of a situation where "ou ha! !ifficulties with a team member. &hat,
if an"thing, !i! "ou !o to resolve the !ifficulties$
)roblems Sol!ing
#ave "ou ever been caught unaware b" a problem or obstacles that "ou ha! not foreseen$
&hat happene!$
%ell us about a time when "ou !i! something completel" !ifferent from the plan an!/or
assignment. &h"$ &hat happene!$
&hat are some of the problems "ou have face!< such as between business !evelopment
an! proect lea!ers, between one !epartment an! another, between "ou an! "our peers$
#ow !i! "ou recogni*e that the" were there$
&hen was the last time something came up in a meeting that was not covere! in the plan$
&hat !i! "ou !o$ &hat were the results of "our u!gment$
)roblem Resolution
Describe a situation where "ou ha! a conflict with another in!ivi!ual, an! how "ou !ealt
with it. &hat was the outcome$ #ow !o "ou feel about it$
Describe a time in which "ou were face! with problems or stresses which teste! "our
coping s'ills. &hat !i! "ou !o$
Describe a time when "ou facilitate! a creative solution to a problem between two
emplo"ees.
(ive a specific e)ample of a time when "ou use! goo! u!gment an! logic in solving a
problem.
(ive an e)ample of a problem which "ou face! on an" ob that "ou have ha! an! tell how
"ou went about solving it.
(ive an e)ample of when "ou 0went to the source1 to a!!ress a conflict. Do "ou feel trust
levels were improve! as a result$
=roblems occur in almost all wor' relationships. Describe a time when "ou ha! to cope
with the resentment or hostilit" of a subor!inate or co-wor'er.
5ome problems require !eveloping a unique approach. %ell about a time when "ou were
able to !evelop a !ifferent problem-solving approach.
5ometimes the onl" wa" to resolve a !efense or conflict is through negotiation an!
compromise. %ell about a time when "ou were able to resolve a !ifficult situation b"
fin!ing some common groun!.
5ometimes we nee! to remain calm on the outsi!e when we are reall" upset on the insi!e.
(ive an e)ample of a time that this happene! to "ou.
%ell us about a recent success "ou ha! with an especiall" !ifficult emplo"ee/co-wor'er.
%ell us about a situation in which "ou ha! to separate the person from the issue when
wor'ing to resolve issues.
%ell us about a time when "ou i!entifie! a potential problem an! resolve! the situation
before it became serious.
%here is more than one wa" to solve a problem. (ive an e)ample from "our recent wor'
e)perience that woul! illustrate this.
)ro*ect Management
%ell us about a time when "ou influence! the outcome of a proect b" ta'ing a lea!ership
role.
>sing a specific e)ample of a proect, tell how "ou 'ept those involve! informe! of the
progress.
Relate +ell
Describe a situation where "ou ha! to use conflict management s'ills.
Describe a situation where "ou ha! to use confrontation s'ills.
(ive me an e)ample of a time when a compan" polic" or action hurt people. &hat, if
an"thing, !i! "ou !o to mitigate the negative consequences to people$
#ow !o "ou t"picall" !eal with conflict$ 9an "ou give me an e)ample$
%ell us about a time when "ou were force! to ma'e an unpopular !ecision.
&hat woul! "our co-wor'ers -or staff. sta" is the most frustrating thing about "our
communications with them$
Remo!ing Obstacles
#ave "ou ever !ealt with a situation where communications were poor$ &here there was
a lac' of cooperation$ 2ac' of trust$ #ow !i! "ou han!le these situations$
&hat !o "ou !o when a subor!inate comes to "ou with a challenge$
&hat have "ou !one to help "our subor!inates to be more pro!uctive$
&hat have "ou !one to ma'e sure that "our subor!inates can be pro!uctive$ (ive an
e)ample.
Resol!ing Conflict
#ave "ou ever been in a situation where "ou ha! to settle an argument between two
frien!s -or people "ou 'new.$ &hat !i! "ou !o$ &hat was the result$
#ave "ou ever ha! to settle conflict between two people on the ob$ &hat was the
situation an! what !i! "ou !o$
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to help two peers settle a !ispute. #ow !i! "ou go
about i!entif"ing the issues$ &hat !i! "ou !o$ &hat was the result$
Resource Management
%ell us about a time when "ou organi*e! or planne! an event that was ver" successful.
Sales
Describe how "ou prepare for a sales call for a new client.
#ow !o "ou go about ma'ing col! calls$
#ow have "our sales s'ills improve! over the past three "ears.
%ell us about "our most !ifficult sales e)perience.
%ell us about "our sales volume over the past three "ears. &hat have "ou !one to
influence it$
Scheduling
Describe the most !ifficult sche!uling problem "ou have face!.
#ow !i! "ou assign priorities to obs$
#ow !i! "ou go about ma'ing ob assignments$
&hen all have been over-loa!e!, how !o "our people meet ob assignments$
Self Assessment
9an "ou recall a time when "ou were less than please! with "our performance$
Describe a situation in which "ou were able to use persuasion to successfull" convince
someone to see things "our wa".
(ive me a specific occasion in which "ou conforme! to a polic" with which "ou !i! not
agree.
(ive me an e)ample of an important goal that "ou h a! set in the past an! tell me about
"our success in reaching it.
4f there were one area "ou+ve alwa"s wante! to improve upon, what woul! that be$
4n what wa"s are "ou tr"ing to improve "ourself$
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to go above an! be"on! the call of !ut" in or!er to get
a ob !one.
&hat !o "ou consi!er to be "our professional strengths$ (ive me a specific e)ample
using this attribute in the wor'place.
&hat goal have "ou set for "ourself that "ou have successfull" achieve!$
&hat was the most useful criticism "ou ever receive!$
Selecting and De!eloping )eople
#ow !o "ou coach an emplo"ee in completing a new assignment$
&hat have "ou !one to !evelop "our subor!inates$ (ive an e)ample.
&hat have "ou !one to improve the s'ills of "our subor!inates$
&hat was "our biggest mista'e in hiring someone$ &hat happene!$ #ow !i! "ou !eal
with the situation$
&hat was "our biggest success in hiring someone$ &hat !i! "ou !o$
Setting ,oals
Di! "ou have a strategic plan$ #ow was it !evelope!$ #ow !i! "ou communicate it to
the rest of "our staff$
#ow !o "ou communicate goals to subor!inates$ (ive an e)ample.
#ow !o "ou involve people in !eveloping "our unit+s goals$ (ive an e)ample.
&hat compan" plans have "ou !evelope!$ &hich ones have "ou reache!$ #ow !i! "ou
reach them$ &hich have "ou misse!$ &h" !i! "ou miss them$
&hat goals !i! "ou miss$ &h" !i! "ou miss them$
&hat goals have "ou met$ &hat !i! "ou !o to meet them$
&hat were "our annual goals at "our most current emplo"er$ #ow !i! "ou !evelop these
goals$
&hat were "our long-range plans at "our most recent emplo"er$ &hat was our role in
!eveloping them$
Setting )erformance Standards
#ow !o "ou go about setting goals with subor!inates$ #ow !o "ou involve them in this
process$
#ow !o "ou let subor!inates 'now what "ou e)pect of them$
&hat performance stan!ar!s !o "ou have for "our unit$ #ow have "ou communicate!
them to "our subor!inates$
Setting )riorities
#ave "ou ever been overloa!e! with wor'$ #ow !o "ou 'eep trac' of wor' so that it gets
!one on time$
#ow !o "ou manage "our time$
#ow !o "ou sche!ule "our time$
&hen given an important assignment, how !o "ou approach it$
Sound -udgment
Describe a situation when "ou ha! to e)ercise a significant amount of self-control.
(ive me an e)ample of a time in which "ou ha! to be relativel" quic' in coming to a
!ecision.
(ive me an e)ample of when "ou were able to meet the personal an! professional
!eman!s in "our life "et still maintaine! a health" balance.
(ive me an e)ample of when "ou were responsible for an error or mista'e. &hat was the
outcome$ &hat, if an"thing, woul! "ou !o !ifferentl"$
4f "ou were interviewing for this position what woul! "ou be loo'ing for in the
applicants$
&e wor' with a great !eal of confi!ential information. Describe how "ou woul! have
han!le! sensitive information in a past wor' e)perience. &hat strategies woul! "ou
utili*e to maintain confi!entialit" when pressure! b" others$
&hen have "ou ha! to pro!uce results without sufficient gui!elines$ (ive an e)ample.
Strategic )lanning
Describe what steps/metho!s "ou have use! to !efine/i!entif" a vision for "our
unit/position.
#ow !o "ou see "our ob relating to the overall goals of the organi*ation$
4n "our current or former position, what were "our long an! short-term goals$
%ell us about a time when "ou anticipate! the future an! ma!e changes to current
responsibilities/operations to meet future nee!s.
Stress Management
#ow !i! "ou react when face! with constant time pressure$ (ive an e)ample.
=eople react !ifferentl" when ob !eman!s are constantl" changing< how !o "ou react$
&hat 'in! of events cause "ou stress on the ob$
&hat was the most stressful situation "ou have face!$ #ow !i! "ou !eal with it$
Team$ork
Describe a situation in which "ou ha! to arrive at a compromise or help others to
compromise. &hat was "our role$ &hat steps !i! "ou ta'e$ &hat was the en! result$
Describe a team e)perience "ou foun! !isappointing. &hat woul! "ou have !one to
prevent this$
Describe a team e)perience "ou foun! rewar!ing.
Describe the t"pes of teams "ou+ve been involve! with. &hat were "our roles$
Describe "our lea!ership st"le an! give an e)ample of a situation when "ou successfull"
le! a group.
(ive an e)ample of how "ou have been successful at empowering a group of people in
accomplishing a tas'.
(ive an e)ample of how "ou wor'e! effectivel" with people to accomplish an important
result.
#ave "ou ever been a proect lea!er$ (ive e)amples of problems "ou e)perience! an!
how "ou reacte!.
#ave "ou ever been in a position where "ou ha! to lea! a group of peers$ #ow !i! "ou
han!le it$
#ave "ou ever participate! in a tas' group$ &hat was "our role$ #ow !i! "ou
contribute$
=lease give "our best e)ample of wor'ing cooperativel" as a team member to accomplish
an important goal. &hat was the goal or obective$ %o what e)tent !i! "ou interact with
others on this proect$
5ome people wor' best as part of a group - others prefer the role of in!ivi!ual
contributor. #ow woul! "ou !escribe "ourself$ (ive an e)ample of a situation where "ou
felt "ou were most effective.
%ell us about a time that "ou ha! to wor' on a team that !i! not get along. &hat
happene!$ &hat role !i! "ou ta'e$ &hat was the result$
%ell us about a wor' e)perience where "ou ha! to wor' closel" with others. #ow !i! it
go$ #ow !i! "ou overcome an" !ifficulties$
%ell us about the most !ifficult challenge "ou face! in tr"ing to wor' cooperativel" with
someone who !i! not share the same i!eas$ &hat was "our role in achieving the wor'
obective$
%ell us about the most !ifficult situation "ou have ha! when lea!ing a team. &hat
happene! an! what !i! "ou !o$ &as it successful$ 6mphasi*e the 0single1 most
important thing "ou !i!$
%ell us about the most effective contribution "ou have ma!e as part of a tas' group or
special proect team.
%hin' about the times "ou have been a team lea!er. &hat coul! "ou have !one to be
more effective$
&hat is the !ifficult part of being a member, not lea!er, of a team$ #ow !i! "ou han!le
this$
&hat role have "ou t"picall" pla"e! as a member of a team$ #ow !i! "ou interact with
other members of the team$
&hen is the last time "ou ha! a !isagreement with a peer$ #ow !i! "ou resolve the
situation$
&hen wor'ing on a team proect have "ou ever ha! an e)perience where there was strong
!isagreement among team members$ &hat !i! "ou !o$
Time Management Schedule
Describe a situation that require! "ou to !o a number of things at the same time. #ow !i!
"ou han!le it$ &hat was the result$
#ow !o "ou !etermine priorities in sche!uling "our time$ (ive an e)ample.
#ow !o "ou t"picall" plan "our !a" to manage "our time effectivel"$
:f "our current assignments, which !o "ou consi!er to have require! the greatest amount
of effort with regar! to planning/organi*ation$ #ow have "ou accomplishe! this
assignment$ #ow woul! "ou asses "our effectiveness$
Toughness
:n man" occasions, managers have to ma'e tough !ecisions. &hat was the most !ifficult
one "ou have ha! to ma'e$
%ell us about setbac's "ou have face!. #ow !i! "ou !eal with them$
&hat has been "our maor wor' relate! !isappointment$ &hat happene! an! what !i!
"ou !o$
&hat is the most competitive situation "ou have e)perience!$ #ow !i! "ou han!le it$
&hat was the result$
&hat was "our maor !isappointment$
.ariety
#ow man" proects !o "ou wor' on at once$ =lease !escribe.
&hen was the last time "ou ma!e a 'e" !ecision on the spur of the moment$ &hat was
the reason an! result$
&hen was the last time "ou were in a crises$ &hat was the situation$ #ow !i! "ou react$
&hich of "our obs ha! the most rapi! change$ #ow !i! "ou feel about it$
.alues Di!ersity
(ive a specific e)ample of how "ou have helpe! create an environment where
!ifferences are value!, encourage! an! supporte!.
%ell us about a time that "ou successfull" a!apte! to a culturall" !ifferent environment.
%ell us about a time when "ou ha! to a!apt to a wi!e variet" of people b"
accepting/un!erstan!ing their perspective.
%ell us about a time when "ou ma!e an intentional effort to get to 'now someone from
another culture.
&hat have "ou !one to further "our 'nowle!ge/un!erstan!ing about !iversit"$ #ow have
"ou !emonstrate! "our learning$
&hat have "ou !one to support !iversit" in "our unit$
&hat measures have "ou ta'en to ma'e someone feel comfortable in an environment that
was obviousl" uncomfortable with his or her presence$