We have been busy this September presenting our workshop series, “Next Steps To-Go” in partnership with the Kent District Libraries.
In our workshops this week on Interviewing, our participants asked for additional examples of the questions on behavioral competencies that may relate to the personal brands and strengths we have been developing in class.
Remember, there is no “correct” answer to a behavioral interview questions. The “correct” answer is “your” answer. We offer the following examples of behavioral interviewing questions for your use in preparing for your next interview:
Adaptability
Describe a major change that occurred in a job that you held. How did you adapt to this change?
Tell us about a situation in which you had to adjust to changes over which you had no control.
Ambition
Describe a time when you made a suggestion to improve the work in your organization.
Give an example of an important goal that you set in the past.
Work Ethic
Give two examples of things you’ve done in previous jobs that demonstrate your willingness to work hard.
What was the best idea that you came up with in your career?
Building Relationships
Give a specific example of a time when you had to address an angry customer. What was the problem and what was the outcome? How would you asses your role in diffusing the situation?
It is very important to build good relationships at work but sometimes it doesn’t always work. If you can, tell about a time when you were not able to build a successful relationship with a difficult person.
Communication
Describe a situation when you were able to strengthen a relationship by communicating effectively. What made your communication effective?
Describe a situation where you felt you had not communicated well. How did you correct the situation?
Describe the most significant written document, report or presentation which you had to complete.
Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person, even when that individual may not have personally liked you , or vice versa.
Conflict Resolution
Describe a time when you took personal accountability for a conflict and initiated contact with the individual(s) involved to explain your actions.
Decision Making
Some people consider themselves to be “big picture people” and others are “detail oriented”. Which are you? Give an example of a time when you displayed this.
Tell us me about a situation when it was important for you to pay attention to details. How did you handle it?
Discuss an important decision you have made regarding a task or project at work. What factors influenced your decision?
Everyone has made some poor decisions or has done something that just did not turn out right. Has this happened to you? What happened?
Attention to Details
Describe a situation where you had the option to leave the details to others or you could take care of them yourself.
Do prefer to work with the “big picture” or the “details” of a situation? Give me an example of an experience that illustrates your preference.
Evaluating Alternatives
What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you? Describe one? Who made the decision?
Flexibility
What do you do when you are faced with an obstacle to an important project? Give an example.
When you have difficulty persuading someone to your point of view, what do you do? Give an example.
Process Control
How did you keep track of delegated assignments?
How do you evaluate the productivity/effectiveness of your subordinates?
How do you get data for performance reviews?
How do you keep track of what your subordinates are doing?
Initiative – Drive for Results
What changes did you develop at your most recent employer?
Interpersonal Skills
Describe a situation in which you were able to effectively “read” another person and guide your actions by your understanding of their needs and values.
Tell us about the most difficult or frustrating individual that you’ve ever had to work with, and how you managed to work with them.
What have you done in past situations to contribute toward a teamwork environment?
Integrity
Give examples of how you have acted with integrity in your job/work relationship.
Trust requires personal accountability. Can you tell about a time when you chose to trust someone? What was the outcome?
Introducing Change
Have you ever had to introduce a policy change to your work group? How did you do it?
Have you ever met resistance when implementing a new idea or policy to a work group? How did you deal with it? What happened?
Leadership
Give an example of a time in which you felt you were able to build motivation in your co-workers or subordinates at work
Negotiating
Describe the most challenging negotiation in which you were involved. What did you do? What were the results for you? What were the results for the other party?
Organizational
How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?
What do you do when your schedule is suddenly interrupted? Give an example.
Performance Management
Give an example of a time when you helped a staff member accept change and make the necessary adjustments to move forward. What were the change/transition skills that you used.
Give an example of how you have been successful at empowering either a person or a group of people into accomplishing a task
Persuasion
Describe a situation where you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
Have you ever had to persuade a group to accept a proposal or idea? How did you go about doing it? What was the result?
Planning and Organization
Describe how you develop a project team’s goals and project plan?
How do you schedule your time? Set priorities? How do you handle doing twenty things at once?
Presentation
How do you prepare for a presentation to a group of technical experts in your field?
How would you describe your presentation style?
Tell us about the most effective presentation you have made. What was the topic? What made it difficult? How did you handle it?
Problem Solving
When was the last time something came up in a meeting that was not covered in the plan? What did you do? What were the results of your judgment?
Describe a time in which you were faced with problems or stresses which tested your coping skills. What did you do?
Give a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
Resource Management
Tell us about a time when you organized or planned an event or project that was very successful.
Self Assessment
Give me an example of an important goal that you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.
If there were one area you’ve always wanted to improve upon, what would that be? In what ways are you trying to improve yourself?
What do you consider to be your professional strengths? Give me a specific example using this attribute in the workplace.
Setting Priorities
Have you ever been overloaded with work? How do you keep track of work so that it gets done on time?
Sound Judgment
Describe a situation when you had to exercise a significant amount of self-control.
Give me an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.
Teamwork
Describe a situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise or help others to compromise. What was your role? What steps did you take? What was the end result?
Please give your best example of working cooperatively as a team member to accomplish an important goal. What was the goal or objective? To what extent did you interact with others on this project?
Some people work best as part of a group – others prefer the role of individual contributor. How would you describe yourself? Give an example of a situation where you felt you were most effective.
Time Management/Schedule
Describe a situation that required you to do a number of things at the same time. How did you handle it? What was the result?
How do you determine priorities in scheduling your time? Give an example.
Look to the job description for the competencies that are included in the content. Pull the competencies from the job description and look at the list above. Prepare your responses in STAR format. Get ready to provide evidence of your accomplishments. Follow these steps to prepare yourself for your interview.
Don’t forget to breathe! You have unique value to bring to the table. Show us what you’ve got! We are looking for you – show us what you’ve got!
Copyright © M. P. Fuger, 2011
