Complete List of Behavioral Interview Questions.doc
- 1. Complete Listof Behavioral Interview Questions Adaptability Describe amajor change that occurredin a jobthat you held.How didyouadapt to thischange? Tell usabout a situationinwhichyouhadto adjustto changesoverwhichyouhad no control.How did youhandle it? Tell usabout a time that youhad to adaptto a difficultsituation. What do youdo whenprioritieschange quickly?Give one example of whenthishappened. Ambition Describe aprojector ideathat was implementedprimarilybecause of yourefforts.Whatwasyourrole? What was the outcome? Describe atime whenyoumade a suggestiontoimprove the workinyourorganization. Give an example of animportantgoal thatyou setinthe past.Tell aboutyour successinreachingit. Give twoexamplesof thingsyou've done inpreviousjobsthatdemonstrate yourwillingnesstowork hard. How manyhoursa daydo you putintoyour work?What were yourstudypatternsat school? Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto go above and beyondthe call of duty in orderto geta jobdone. Tell usabout a time whena jobhad to be completedandyouwere able tofocusyourattentionand effortstogetit done. Tell usabout a time whenyouwere particularlyeffectiveonprioritizingtasksandcompletingaproject on schedule. Tell usabout the lasttime that youundertookaprojectthat demandedalotof initiative. Tell ushow youkeepyourjobknowledge currentwiththe ongoingchangesinthe industry. There are timeswhenwe workwithoutclose supervisionorsupporttoget the jobdone.Tell usabouta time whenyoufoundyourself insuchasituationandhow thingsturnedout. What impactdidyou have inyour lastjob?
- 2. What isthe mostcompetitive worksituationyouhave experienced?How didyouhandle it?Whatwas the result? What isthe riskiestdecisionyouhave made?Whatwasthe situation?Whathappened? What kindsof challengesdidyouface onyourlast job?Give an example of how youhandledthem. What projectshave youstartedon yourown recently?Whatpromptedyoutogetstarted? What sorts of thingshave youdone to become betterqualifiedforyourcareer? What was the bestideathatyou came up withinyour career?How didyouapplyit? Whenyoudisagree withyourmanager,whatdo youdo? Give an example. Whenyouhave a lotof workto do,how doyou getit all done?Give anexample? Analytical Thinking Describe the projectorsituationwhichbestdemonstratesyouranalytical abilities.Whatwasyourrole? Developingandusingadetailedprocedureisoftenveryimportantinajob.Tell abouta time whenyou neededtodevelopanduse a detailedprocedure tosuccessfullycomplete aproject. Give a specificexample of a time whenyouusedgoodjudgmentandlogininsolvingaproblem. Give me a specificexampleof atime whenyouusedgoodjudgmentandlogicinsolvingaproblem. Give me an example of whenyoutooka riskto achieve agoal.What was the outcome? How didyougo about makingthe changes(stepbystep)?Answerindepthordetail suchas"What were youthinkingatthat point?"or "Tell me more aboutmeetingwiththatperson",or"Leadme through your decisionprocess". Relate a specificinstance whenyoufound itnecessarytobe precise inyourinorderto complete the job. Tell usabout a jobor settingwhere greatprecisiontodetail wasrequiredtocomplete atask.Howdid youhandle thatsituation? Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto analyze informationand make arecommendation.Whatkindof thoughtprocessdidyougo through?What was yourreasoningbehindyourdecision? Tell usabout yourexperience inpastjobsthatrequiredyoutobe especiallyalerttodetailswhiledoing the task involved.
- 3. BuildingRelationships Give a specificexample of atime whenyouhadto addressan angry customer.Whatwas the problem and whatwas the outcome?Howwouldyouassesyourrole in diffusingthe situation? It isveryimportantto buildgoodrelationshipsatworkbut sometimesitdoesn'talwayswork.If youcan, tell abouta time whenyouwere notable tobuilda successful relationshipwithadifficultperson. Tell usabout a time whenyoubuiltrapportquicklywithsomeone underdifficultconditions. What, inyour opinion,are the keyingredientsinguidingandmaintainingsuccessful business relationships?Give examplesof howyoumade these workforyou. Business Systems Thinking Describe howyourpositioncontributestoyourorganization's/unit'sgoals.Whatare the unit's goals/mission? Tell usabout a politicallycomplex worksituationinwhichyou worked. Caution Have you everworkedina situationwhere the rulesandguidelineswerenotclear?Tell me aboutit. How didyoufeel aboutit?Howdid youreact? Some people considerthemselvestobe "bigpicture people"andothersare "detail oriented".Whichare you?Give an example of atime whenyoudisplayedthis. Tell usme abouta situationwhenitwasimportantforyouto pay attentiontodetails.How didyou handle it? Tell usme abouta time whenyoudemonstratedtoomuchinitiative? Communication Describe asituationinwhichyouwere able toeffectively"read"anotherpersonandguide youractions by yourunderstandingof theirindividual needsorvalues. Describe asituationwhenyouwere able tostrengthenarelationshipbycommunicatingeffectively. What made your communicationeffective? Describe asituationwhere youfeltyouhadnotcommunicatedwell.How didyoucorrectthe situation?
- 4. Describe atime whenyouwere able toeffectivelycommunicateadifficultorunpleasantideatoa superior. Describe the mostsignificantwrittendocument,reportorpresentationwhichyouhadtocomplete. Give me an example of atime whenyouwere able tosuccessfullycommunicatewithanotherperson, evenwhenthatindividual maynothave personallyliked you,or vice versa. Give me an example of atime whenyouwere able tosuccessfullycommunicatewithanotherperson, evenwhenthatindividual maynothave personally likedyou. Have you everhadto "sell"anideato yourco-workersorgroup? How did you do it?Did they"buy"it? Have you had to "sell"anideatoyour co-workers,classmatesorgroup?How didyoudo it?Did they "buy"it? How doyou keepsubordinatesinformedaboutinformationthataffectstheirjobs? How doyou keepyourmanagerinformedaboutwhatisbeingdone inyourworkarea? How doyou go aboutexplainingacomplex technical problemtoapersonwhodoesnotunderstand technical jargon?Whatapproach doyou take incommunicatingwithpeople? What kindsof communicationsituationscause youdifficulty?Give anexample. Tell usabout a recentsuccessful experienceinmakingaspeechorpresentation.How didyouprepare? What obstaclesdidyouface?How did youhandle them? Tell usabout a time whenyouandyour current/previoussupervisor disagreedbutyoustill foundaway to getyour pointacross. Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto presentcomplex information.How didyouensure thatthe other personunderstood? Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto use your verbal communicationskillsinordertoget a pointacross that wasimportantto you. Tell usabout a time whenyouwere particularlyeffectiveinatalkyou gave or a seminaryoutaught. Tell usabout an experience inwhichyouhadtospeakup inorderto be sure that otherpeople knew whatyou thoughtor felt. Tell usme abouta situationwhenyouhadto speakup(be assertive) inordertogeta pointacross that was importanttoyou. Tell usme abouta time inwhichyou hadto use your writtencommunicationskillsinordertogetan importantpointacross.
- 5. What challengeshave occurredwhile youwere coordinatingworkwithotherunits,departments, and/ordivisions? What have youdone to improve yourverbal communicationskills? How have youpersuadedpeoplethroughadocumentyouprepared? What are the mostchallengingdocumentsyouhave done?Whatkindsof proposalshave yourwritten? What kindsof writinghave youdone?How do youprepare writtencommunications? Conflict Resolution Describe atime whenyoutookpersonal accountabilityforaconflictandinitiatedcontactwiththe individual(s) involvedtoexplainyouractions. Customer Orientation How doyou handle problemswithcustomers?Give anexample. How doyou go aboutestablishingrapportwithacustomer?What have youdone to gaintheir confidence?Give anexample. What have youdone to improve relationswithyourcustomers? Decision Making Discussan importantdecisionyouhave made regardingataskor projectat work.What factors influencedyourdecision? Everyone has made some poordecisionsorhasdone somethingthatjustdidnotturn out right.Has this happenedtoyou?What happened? Give an example of atime inwhichyouhad to be relativelyquickincomingtoa decision. Give an example of atime inwhichyouhad to keepfromspeakingornotfinishatask because youdid not have enoughinformationtocome toa gooddecision.Give anexampleof atime whenthere wasa decisiontobe made and procedureswere notinplace? Give an example of atime whenyouhadto be relativelyquickincomingtoa decision.
- 6. Give me an example of atime whenyouhad to keepfromspeakingormakingadecisionbecause you didnot have enoughinformation. How didyougo about decidingwhatstrategytoemploywhendealingwithadifficult customer? How doyou go aboutdevelopingIinformationtomake a decision?Give anexample. How doyou involve yourmanagerand/orotherswhenyoumake adecision? How have yougone aboutmakingimportantdecisions? How quicklydoyoumake decisions?Give anexample. In a currentjob task,what stepsdoyougo through toensure yourdecisionsare correct/effective? Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto defendadecision youmade eventhoughotherimportantpeople were opposedtoyourdecision. What kindof decisionsdoyoumake rapidly?Whatkindtakesmore time?Give examples. What kindsof problemshave youhadcoordinatingtechnical projects?How didyousolve them? What was yourmost difficultdecisioninthe last6 months?Whatmade it difficult? Whenyouhave to make a highlytechnical decision,how doyougoabout doingit? Delegation Do youconsideryourself amacro or micromanager?How do youdelegate? How doyou make the decisiontodelegate work? Tell ushow yougo aboutdelegatingwork? What was the biggestmistake youhave hadwhendelegatingwork?The biggestsuccess? Detail-Oriented Describe asituationwhere youhadthe optiontoleave the detailstoothersoryou couldtake care of themyourself. Do prefertowork withthe "bigpicture"or the "details"of asituation?Give me anexample of an experience thatillustratesyourpreference.
- 7. Have the jobsyouheldinthe past requiredlittle attention,moderate attention,ora greatdeal of attentiontodetail?Give me anexample of asituation thatillustratesthisrequirement. Tell usabout a difficultexperience youhadinworkingwithdetails. Tell usabout a situationwhere attentiontodetail waseither importantorunimportantinaccomplishing an assignedtask. Employee Development Tell usabout a trainingprogramthat youhave developedorenhanced. Evaluating Alternatives Have you everhada situationwhere youhadanumberof alternativestochoose from?How didyougo aboutchoosingone? How didyouassemble the information? How didyoureviewthe information?Whatprocessdidyoufollow toreacha conclusion? What alternativesdidyoudevelop? What are some of the major decisionsyouhave made overthe past(6,12, 18) months? What kindsof decisionsare mostdifficultforyou?Describe one? Who made the decision? Flexibility Have you everhada subordinate whoseperformance wasconsistentlymarginal?Whatdidyoudo? How have youadjustedyourstyle whenitwasnotmeetingthe objectivesand/orpeoplewere not respondingcorrectly? What do youdo whenyouare facedwithan obstacle toan importantproject?Give anexample. Whenyouhave difficultypersuadingsomeonetoyourpointof view,whatdo youdo? Give an example.
- 8. Follow-upand Control How didyoukeeptrack of delegatedassignments? How doyou evaluate the productivity/effectivenessof yoursubordinates? How doyou getdata for performance reviews? How doyou keeptrackof whatyour subordinatesare doing? What administrativepaperworkdoyouhave?Isit useful?Why/whynot? Initiative Give me an example of whenyouhadto go above andbeyondthe call of duty inorderto get a jobdone. Give me examplesof projects/tasksyoustartedonyourown. Give some instancesinwhichyouanticipatedproblemsandwere able toinfluence anew direction. How didyouget workassignmentsatyourmostrecentemployer? What changesdidyoudevelopatyourmost recentemployer? What kindsof thingsreallygetyourexcited? What sorts of projectsdidyougenerate thatrequiredyoutogo beyond yourjobdescription? What sorts of thingsdidyoudo at school that were beyondexpectations? Interpersonal Skills Describe arecentunpopulardecisionyoumade and whatthe resultwas. Describe arecentunpopulardecisionyoumade andwhatthe result was. Describe asituationinwhichyouwere able toeffectively"read"anotherpersonandguide youractions by yourunderstandingof theirneedsandvalues. Tell usabout the mostdifficultorfrustratingindividual thatyou've everhadtoworkwith,and how you managedto workwiththem.
- 9. What have youdone in pastsituationstocontribute towardateamworkenvironment? What have youdone in the past to contribute towardateamworkenvironment? Innovation Can youthinkof a situationwhere innovationwas requiredatwork?What didyoudo inthissituation? Describe asituationwhenyoudemonstratedinitiative andtookactionwithoutwaitingfordirection. What was the outcome? Describe atime whenyoucame upwitha creative solution/idea/project/reportto aprobleminyour past work. Describe somethingthatyouhave implementedatwork.What were the stepsusedtoimplementthis? Describe the mostcreative work-relatedprojectwhichyouhave carriedout. Give me an example of whenyoutooka riskto achieve agoal.What was the outcome? Sometimesitisessential thatwe breakoutof the routine,standardizedwayof doingthingsinorderto complete the task.Give anexample of whenyouwere able tosuccessfullydevelopsucha new approach. Tell usabout a problemthatyousolvedina unique orunusual way.Whatwas the outcome?Were you satisfiedwithit? Tell usabout a suggestionyoumade toimprove the wayjobprocesses/operationsworked.Whatwas the result? There are manyjobsinwhichwell-established methodsare typicallyfollowed.Give aspecificexampleof a time whenyoutriedsome othermethodtodo the job. There are manyjobsthat require creative orinnovative thinking.Give anexampleof whenyouhadsuch a job andhow youhandledit. What have beensome of yourmost creative ideas? What innovative procedureshave youdeveloped?How didyoudevelopthem?Whowasinvolved? Where didthe ideascome from? What newor unusual ideashave youdevelopedonyourjob?How didyou developthem?Whatwasthe result?Didyouimplementthem? Whenwas the lasttime that youthought"outside of the box"andhow didyoudo it?
- 10. Integrity Describe atime whenyouwere askedto keepinformationconfidential. Give examplesof howyouhave actedwithintegrityinyourjob/workrelationship. If you can, tell abouta time whenyourtrustworthinesswaschallenged.How didyoureact/respond? On occasionwe are confrontedbydishonesty inthe workplace.Tell aboutsuchanoccurrence and how youhandledit. Tell usabout a specifictime whenyouhadtohandle a toughproblemwhichchallengedfairnessor ethnical issues. Trust requirespersonal accountability.Canyoutell aboutatime whenyouchose totrust someone? What was the outcome? Introducing Change Have you everhadto introduce a policychange toyour workgroup?How didyou doit? Have you evermetresistance whenimplementinganew ideaorpolicyto a workgroup? How did you deal withit?What happened? Whenis the lasttime youhad to introduce anew ideaor procedure topeople onthisjob?How didyou do it? Leadership Give an example of atime inwhichyoufeltyouwere able tobuildmotivationinyourco-workersor subordinatesatwork. Give an example of yourabilitytobuildmotivationinyourco-workers,classmates,andevenif ona volunteercommittee. Have you everhaddifficultygettingotherstoacceptyourideas?Whatwas your approach?Didit work?
- 11. Have you everbeenamemberof a group where twoof the membersdidnotworkwell together?What didyou doto get themto doso? What isthe toughestgroupthatyou have hadto get cooperationfrom? What isthe toughestgroupthatyou have hadto get cooperationfrom? Describe how youhandledit. What was the outcome? Listening Give an example of atime whenyoumade a mistake because youdidnotlistenwell towhatsomeone had to say. How oftendoyouhave to relyon informationyouhave gatheredfromotherswhentalkingtothem? What kindsof problemshave youhad?What happened? What do youdo to show people thatyouare listingtothem? Whenis listeningimportantonyourjob?Whenislisteningdifficult? Motivating Others Have you everhada subordinate whoseworkwasalwaysmarginal?How didyoudeal withthatperson? What happened? How doyou deal withpeople whoseworkexceedsyourexpectations? How doyou getsubordinatestoproduce ata highlevel?Give anexample. How doyou getsubordinatestoworkat their peakpotential?Give anexample. How doyou manage cross-functionalteams? Motivation Describe asituationwhenyouwere able tohave a positive influence onthe actionsof others. Give an example of atime whenyouwentabove andbeyondthe call of duty. Give me an example of atime whenyouwentabove andbeyondthe call of duty. How wouldyoudefine "success"forsomeone inyourchosencareer?
- 12. Tell usme aboutan importantgoal that youset inthe past. Were yousuccessful?Why? Negotiating Describe the mostchallengingnegotiationinwhichyouwere involved.Whatdidyoudo?What were the resultsforyou?What were the resultsforthe otherparty? Have you everbeenina situationwhere youhadtobargainwithsomeone?How didyoufeel about this?What didyoudo? Give an example. How didyouprepare forit? How didyoupresentyourposition? How didyouresolve it? Tell usabout the lasttime youhad to negotiate withsomeone. What was the mostdifficultpart? Organizational Describe atime whenyou had to make a difficultchoice betweenyourpersonalandprofessional life. Give me an example of aprojectthat bestdescribesyourorganizational skills. How doyou decide whatgetstopprioritywhenschedulingyourtime? What do youdo whenyourschedule issuddenlyinterrupted?Give anexample. Performance Management Give an example of atime whenyouhelpedastaff memberacceptchange andmake the necessary adjustmentstomove forward.Whatwere the change/transitionskillsthatyouused. Give an example of howyouhave beensuccessful atempoweringeitherapersonora groupof people intoaccomplishingatask. How doyou handle asubordinate whose workisnotupto expectations? How doyou coach a subordinate todevelopanew skill? How doyou handle performance reviews?Tellme aboutadifficultone.
- 13. How oftendoyoudiscussa subordinate'sperformance withhim/her?Give anexample. Tell usabout a specificdevelopmentplanthatyoucreatedand carriedoutwithone or more of your employees.Whatwasthe specificsituation?Whatwere the componentsof the developmentplan? What was the outcome? Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto take disciplinaryactionwithsomeone yousupervised. Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto tell a staff memberthatyouwere dissatisfiedwithhisorherwork. Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto use your authoritytoget somethingdone.Wherethere any negative consequences? There are timeswhenpeople needextrahelp.Give anexample of whenyouwereable toprovide that supportto a personwithwhomyouworked. What have youdone to developthe skillsof yourstaff? Whendo yougive positive feedbacktopeople?Tellme aboutthe lasttime youdid.Give anexample of howyou handle the needforconstructive criticismwith asubordinate orpeer. Personal Effectiveness Give an example of asituationwhere otherswereintense butyouwere able tomaintainyour composure. It isimportantto maintainapositive attitude atworkwhenyouhave otherthingsonyourmind.Give a specificexample of whenyouwere able todothat. Keepingothersinformedof yourprogress/actionshelpsthemfell comfortable.Tellyourmethodsfor keepingyoursupervisoradvisedof the statusonprojects. Tell usabout a recentjobor experiencethatyouwoulddescribe asareal learningexperience?Whatdid youlearnfrom the jobor experience? Tell usabout a time whenyoutookresponsibilityforanerrorand were heldpersonallyaccountable. Tell usabout a time whenyoursupervisorcriticizedyourwork.How didyourespond? Tell usabout some demandingsituationsinwhichyoumanagedto remaincalmand composed. There are timeswhenwe are placedunderextremepressureonthe job.Tell abouta time whenyou were undersuchpressure andhowyou handled it. What have youdone to furtheryourown professional developmentinthe past5 years.
- 14. Whenyouhave beenmade aware of,or have discoveredforyourself,aprobleminyourwork performance,whatwasyourcourse of action?Can yougive an example? Persuasion Describe asituationinwhichyouwere able topositivelyinfluence the actionsof othersinadesired direction. Describe asituationwhere youwere able touse persuasiontosuccessfullyconvince someone tosee thingsyourway. Describe atime when youwere able toconvince a skeptical orresistantcustomertopurchase a project or utilize yourservices. Have you everhadto persuade a groupto accept a proposal or idea?How didyougo about doingit? What was the result? Have you everhadto persuade a peerormanager to acceptan ideathat youknew theywouldnotlike? Describe the resistance youmetandhow youovercame it. How doyou geta peeror colleague toacceptone of your ideas? In sellinganidea,itissometimesuseful touse metaphors, analogies,orstoriestomake yourpoint.Give a recentexample of whenyouwere able to successfullydothat. Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto convince someone inauthorityaboutyourideas.How diditwork out? Tell usabout a time whenyouusedfactsand reasonto persuade someonetoacceptyour recommendation. Tell usabout a time whenyouusedyourleadershipabilitytogainsupportforwhat initiallyhadstrong opposition. Tell usabout a time whenyouwere able tosuccessfullyinfluence anotherperson. Planning and Organization Describe howyoudevelopaprojectteam'sgoalsandprojectplan? How doyou schedule yourtime?Setpriorities?How doyouhandle doingtwentythingsatonce?
- 15. What do youdo whenyourtime schedule orprojectplanisupsetbyunforeseencircumstances?Give an example. What have youdone in orderto be effectivewithyourorganizationandplanning? Presentation How doyou prepare fora presentationtoa groupof technical expertsinyourfield? How wouldyoudescribe your presentationstyle? Tell usabout the mosteffective presentationyouhave made.Whatwasthe topic?What made it difficult?Howdidyouhandle it? What kindsof oral presentationshave youmade?How didyouprepare forthem?What challengesdid youhave? ProblemSolving Describe the mostdifficultworkingrelationshipyou've hadwithanindividual.Whatspecificactionsdid youtake to improve the relationship?Whatwasthe outcome? Give me an example of asituationwhere youhaddifficultieswithateam member.What,if anything, didyou doto resolve the difficulties? Problems Solving Have you everbeencaughtunaware bya problemorobstaclesthatyou had notforeseen?What happened? Tell usabout a time whenyoudidsomethingcompletelydifferentfrom the planand/orassignment. Why? What happened? What are some of the problemsyouhave faced;suchas betweenbusinessdevelopmentandproject leaders,betweenone departmentandanother,betweenyouandyourpeers?How didyourecognize that theywere there? Whenwas the lasttime somethingcame upina meetingthatwasnot coveredinthe plan?What did youdo? What were the resultsof yourjudgment?
- 16. ProblemResolution Describe asituationwhere youhada conflictwithanotherindividual,andhow youdealtwithit.What was the outcome?Howdo youfeel aboutit? Describe atime inwhichyou were facedwithproblemsorstresseswhichtestedyourcopingskills.What didyou do? Describe atime whenyoufacilitatedacreative solutiontoaproblembetweentwoemployees. Give a specificexample of atime whenyouusedgoodjudgmentandlogicin solvingaproblem. Give an example of aproblemwhichyoufacedonany jobthat youhave had and tell how youwent aboutsolvingit. Give an example of whenyou"wenttothe source"toaddressa conflict.Doyou feel trustlevelswere improvedasa result? Problemsoccurinalmostall work relationships.Describeatime whenyouhadto cope withthe resentmentorhostilityof asubordinate orco-worker. Some problemsrequiredevelopingaunique approach.Tell aboutatime whenyouwere able todevelop a differentproblem-solvingapproach. Sometimesthe onlywaytoresolve adefense orconflictisthroughnegotiationandcompromise.Tell abouta time whenyouwere able to resolve adifficultsituationbyfindingsome commonground. Sometimeswe needtoremain calmonthe outside whenwe are reallyupsetonthe inside.Give an example of atime thatthis happenedtoyou. Tell usabout a recentsuccessyouhad withan especiallydifficultemployee/co-worker. Tell usabout a situationinwhichyouhadto separate the personfromthe issue whenworkingto resolve issues. Tell usabout a time whenyouidentifiedapotential problemandresolvedthe situationbefore it became serious. There ismore thanone way to solve aproblem.Give anexample fromyourrecentworkexperience that wouldillustratethis. Project Management Tell usabout a time whenyouinfluencedthe outcome of aprojectbytakinga leadershiprole.
- 17. Usinga specificexample of aproject,tell how youkeptthose involvedinformedof the progress. Relate Well Describe asituationwhere youhadto use conflictmanagementskills. Describe asituationwhere youhadto use confrontationskills. Give me an example of atime whena companypolicyoraction hurtpeople.What,if anything,didyou do to mitigate the negativeconsequencestopeople? How doyou typicallydeal withconflict?Canyougive me anexample? Tell usabout a time whenyouwere forcedtomake an unpopulardecision. What wouldyourco-workers(orstaff) stayisthe most frustratingthing aboutyourcommunications withthem? Removing Obstacles Have you everdealtwithasituationwhere communicationswere poor?Where there wasalackof cooperation?Lackof trust?How didyouhandle these situations? What do youdo whena subordinate comestoyouwitha challenge? What have youdone to helpyoursubordinatestobe more productive? What have youdone to make sure that your subordinatescanbe productive? Give anexample. Resolving Conflict Have you everbeenina situationwhere youhad tosettle anargumentbetweentwofriends(orpeople youknew)?Whatdidyou do?What was the result? Have you everhadto settle conflictbetweentwopeopleonthe job?Whatwas the situationandwhat didyou do?
- 18. Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto help twopeerssettle adispute.How didyougo aboutidentifying the issues?Whatdidyoudo? What was the result? Resource Management Tell usabout a time whenyouorganizedorplannedaneventthatwasverysuccessful. Sales Describe howyouprepare fora salescall for a new client. How doyou go aboutmakingcoldcalls? How have yoursalesskillsimprovedoverthe pastthree years. Tell usabout yourmost difficultsalesexperience. Tell usabout yoursalesvolume overthe pastthree years.Whathave you done to influence it? Scheduling Describe the mostdifficultschedulingproblemyouhave faced. How didyouassignprioritiestojobs? How didyougo about makingjob assignments? Whenall have beenover-loaded,howdoyourpeople meetjobassignments? Self Assessment Can yourecall a time whenyouwere lessthanpleasedwithyourperformance? Describe asituationinwhichyouwere able touse persuasiontosuccessfullyconvince someone tosee thingsyourway. Give me a specificoccasioninwhichyouconformedtoapolicywithwhichyoudidnotagree. Give me an example of animportantgoal that youh ad set inthe past and tell me aboutyoursuccessin reachingit.
- 19. If there were one area you've alwayswantedtoimprove upon,whatwouldthatbe? In whatwaysare you tryingto improve yourself? Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto go above and beyondthe call of dutyin orderto geta jobdone. What do youconsidertobe yourprofessional strengths?Give me aspecificexample usingthisattribute inthe workplace. What goal have you setfor yourself thatyouhave successfullyachieved? What was the mostuseful criticismyoueverreceived? Selecting andDeveloping People How doyou coach an employee incompletinganew assignment? What have youdone to developyoursubordinates?Give anexample. What have youdone to improve the skillsof yoursubordinates? What was yourbiggestmistake inhiringsomeone?Whathappened?How didyoudeal withthe situation? What was yourbiggestsuccessinhiringsomeone?What didyoudo? Setting Goals Didyou have a strategicplan?How wasit developed?How didyoucommunicate ittothe restof your staff? How doyou communicate goalstosubordinates?Give anexample. How doyou involve peopleindevelopingyourunit'sgoals? Give anexample. What companyplanshave youdeveloped?Whichoneshave youreached?How didyoureachthem? Whichhave you missed?Whydidyoumissthem? What goalsdidyou miss?Whydidyou missthem? What goalshave you met?What didyoudo to meetthem? What were yourannual goalsat your mostcurrent employer?How didyoudevelopthesegoals?
- 20. What were yourlong-range plansatyourmost recentemployer?Whatwasour role indeveloping them? Setting Performance Standards How doyou go aboutsettinggoalswithsubordinates?How doyouinvolve theminthisprocess? How doyou letsubordinatesknow whatyouexpectof them? What performance standardsdoyouhave for your unit?How have youcommunicatedthemtoyour subordinates? Setting Priorities Have you everbeenoverloadedwithwork?How doyoukeeptrackof workso that itgetsdone on time? How doyou manage yourtime? How doyou schedule yourtime? Whengivenanimportantassignment,how doyouapproachit? Sound Judgment Describe asituationwhenyouhadto exercise asignificantamountof self-control. Give me an example of atime inwhichyouhad to be relativelyquickincomingtoa decision. Give me an example of whenyouwere able tomeetthe personal andprofessional demandsinyourlife yetstill maintainedahealthybalance. Give me an example of whenyouwere responsibleforanerror or mistake.Whatwasthe outcome? What, if anything,wouldyoudodifferently? If you were interviewingforthispositionwhatwouldyoube lookingforinthe applicants? We workwitha great deal of confidential information.Describehow youwouldhave handledsensitive informationinapast workexperience.Whatstrategieswouldyouutilizetomaintainconfidentiality whenpressuredbyothers? Whenhave youhad to produce resultswithoutsufficientguidelines?Give anexample.
- 21. Strategic Planning Describe whatsteps/methodsyouhave usedtodefine/identifyavisionforyour unit/position. How doyou see yourjobrelatingtothe overall goalsof the organization? In yourcurrent or formerposition,whatwere yourlongandshort-termgoals? Tell usabout a time whenyouanticipatedthe future andmade changestocurrent responsibilities/operationstomeetfuture needs. Stress Management How didyoureact whenfacedwithconstanttime pressure?Give anexample. People reactdifferentlywhenjobdemandsare constantlychanging;how doyoureact? What kindof eventscause youstresson the job? What was the moststressful situationyouhave faced?How didyoudeal withit? Teamwork Describe asituationinwhichyouhad to arrive at a compromise orhelpotherstocompromise.What was yourrole?What stepsdidyoutake?What was the endresult? Describe ateam experience youfounddisappointing.Whatwouldyouhave done topreventthis? Describe ateam experience youfoundrewarding. Describe the typesof teamsyou've beeninvolvedwith.Whatwere yourroles? Describe yourleadershipstyle andgive anexample of asituationwhenyousuccessfullyledagroup. Give an example of howyouhave beensuccessful atempoweringagroupof people inaccomplishinga task.
- 22. Give an example of howyouworkedeffectivelywithpeople toaccomplish animportantresult. Have you everbeenaprojectleader?Give examplesof problemsyou experiencedandhow youreacted. Have you everbeenina positionwhereyouhadto leada groupof peers?How didyouhandle it? Have you everparticipatedinatask group?What wasyour role?How didyou contribute? Please give yourbestexample of workingcooperativelyasateam membertoaccomplishanimportant goal.What was the goal or objective?Towhatextentdidyouinteractwithothersonthisproject? Some people workbestaspart of a group - otherspreferthe role of individual contributor.How would youdescribe yourself?Give anexampleof asituationwhere youfeltyouwere mosteffective. Tell usabout a time that youhad to workon a teamthat didnot get along.Whathappened?Whatrole didyou take?What wasthe result? Tell usabout a work experiencewhere youhadtoworkcloselywithothers.How diditgo?How didyou overcome anydifficulties? Tell usabout the mostdifficultchallengeyoufacedintryingtowork cooperativelywithsomeonewho didnot share the same ideas?What wasyour role inachievingthe workobjective? Tell usabout the mostdifficultsituationyouhave hadwhenleadingateam.What happenedandwhat didyou do?Was it successful? Emphasize the "single"mostimportantthingyoudid? Tell usabout the mosteffective contributionyouhave made aspart of a taskgroup or special project team. Thinkaboutthe timesyouhave beenateamleader.Whatcouldyou have done tobe more effective? What isthe difficultpartof beinga member,notleader,of ateam?How didyouhandle this? What role have youtypicallyplayedasamemberof a team?How didyou interactwithothermembers of the team? Whenis the lasttime youhad a disagreementwithapeer?How didyou resolve the situation? Whenworkingona teamprojecthave youeverhadan experiencewhere therewasstrong disagreementamongteammembers?Whatdidyoudo? Time Management Schedule
- 23. Describe asituationthatrequiredyoutodo a numberof thingsat the same time.How didyouhandle it?What was the result? How doyou determine prioritiesinschedulingyourtime?Give anexample. How doyou typicallyplanyourdayto manage yourtime effectively? Of yourcurrentassignments,whichdoyouconsidertohave requiredthe greatestamountof effortwith regardto planning/organization?Howhave youaccomplishedthisassignment?How wouldyouasses your effectiveness? Toughness On manyoccasions,managershave tomake tough decisions.Whatwasthe mostdifficultone youhave had to make? Tell usabout setbacksyouhave faced.How didyou deal withthem? What has beenyourmajorworkrelateddisappointment?Whathappenedandwhatdidyoudo? What isthe mostcompetitive situationyouhave experienced?How didyouhandle it?Whatwas the result? What was yourmajor disappointment? Variety How manyprojectsdoyou workon at once?Please describe. Whenwas the lasttime youmade a keydecisiononthe spurof the moment?What wasthe reasonand result? Whenwas the lasttime youwere ina crises?Whatwas the situation?How didyoureact? Whichof yourjobshad the most rapidchange?How didyoufeel aboutit?
- 24. Values Diversity Give a specificexample of howyouhave helpedcreate anenvironmentwhere differencesare valued, encouragedandsupported. Tell usabout a time that yousuccessfullyadaptedtoa culturallydifferentenvironment. Tell usabout a time whenyouhadto adapt to a wide varietyof people byaccepting/understandingtheir perspective. Tell usabout a time whenyoumade an intentional efforttogetto know someone fromanotherculture. What have youdone to furtheryourknowledge/understandingaboutdiversity?How have you demonstratedyourlearning? What have youdone to supportdiversityinyourunit? What measureshave youtakentomake someone feel comfortableinanenvironmentthatwas obviouslyuncomfortable withhisorherpresence?