Interview Tips

Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events
What is the most difficult or frustrating part of constant change for you? How do you cope with it?

Adapts to changes in the work environment
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with changes in organizational direction that impacted your work. How did you respond?

Changes approach or method to best fit the situation
Give me a specific example of a time when you had to completely change your direction or approach to a project or problem to fit the situation.


Manages competing demands
Tell me about a situation where you were under a great deal of pressure because of numerous demands competing for your time and attention. How did you resolve the situation?

Attendance/Punctuality

Arrives at meetings and appointments on time
What do you do to ensure that you are on time for meetings and appointments? Tell me about a time when you were late for an important meeting. What did you do?

Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent
Tell me about a time when you had to be absent from work. How did you arrange for the necessary coverage of your job?


Is consistently at work and on time
How many days did you miss from work in the last year? Can your last employer verify this information?


Customer Service

Manages difficult or emotional customer situations
Tell me about the most difficult customer encounter you've experienced. How did you handle it?


Meets commitments
Give me an example of a time when you were not able to meet a commitment to a customer (internal or external). What did you do?


Responds to requests for service and assistance
What do you understand the term "internal customer service" to mean? Tell me about a time you demonstrated excellent internal customer service.

Solicits customer feedback to improve service
Describe for me a time when you asked for customer feedback and used it to improve service.


Delegation

Gives authority to work independently
When delegating, are you more comfortable giving the person to whom you delegated full authority or closely monitoring progress? Give me an example of when this worked well, and then give me an example when it did not work well.


Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities
Describe how you set expectations when delegating and how you monitor progress.


Dependability

Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals
Give me an example of a time when you had to go above and beyond to meet your project goal.


Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan
Describe a situation in which you knew you would not be able to meet a deadline. What did you do?


Follows instructions, responds to management direction
Tell me about a time when you did not agree with the direction given you. How did you address the conflict?


Takes responsibility for own actions
Tell me about a situation when you did not respond appropriately. What did you do? Tell me about a time when you had difficulty keeping a commitment. How did you handle it?



Design

Demonstrates attention to detail
Some people are more detail-oriented than others. Give me an example of a time when you had to pay particular attention detail.


Generates creative solutions
Describe a problem you had that required a creative solution that had not been tried before. What was the outcome?


Ethics

Inspires the trust of others
Tell me about a time you were new to a company or work group. What steps did you take to build trust with coworkers and/or staff?


Keeps commitments
Give me an example of a time when you over-committed yourself. How did you handle it?


Treats people with respect
Describe a situation where you worked with someone you did not like or respect. How did you cope with the relationship?


Works with integrity and ethically
Describe what the terms "integrity" and "ethics" mean to you. Tell me about a time when your integrity or ethics were challenged. What did you do?


Initiative

Asks for and offers help when needed
Tell me about a time when you were overwhelmed with work. What did you do?


Seeks increased responsibilities
Tell me about a time when you asked for increased responsibility. What was your reason and how did you approach the other individual(s)?



Takes independent actions and calculated risks
Give me an example of a time when you had to take action or make a decision without the necessary approval. What motivated you and what was the risk?


Undertakes self-development activities
What self-development efforts have you made during the last three years?


Volunteers readily
Tell me about a time when you volunteered to do or assist with a project that was outside the scope of your own job. Why did you do it?


Interpersonal

Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming
Tell me about a time you had a serious conflict with a coworker. How did you handle the situation?


Keeps emotions under control
Describe a situation in which you were very emotional. How did you express yourself? What was the outcome?


Listens to others without interrupting
What techniques have you used to listen effectively? Give me an example of when you applied them in a difficult situation.


Maintains confidentiality
Tell me about a time you had to break a confidence. What was the reason and what did you do?


Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things
Tell me about a situation in which you had to be open to a new idea or change in procedure that you did not think would work. How did you handle it?



Judgment

Displays willingness to make decisions
Describe a time when you were faced with a decision you did not want to make. What did you do?


Exhibits sound and accurate judgment
Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision. What process did you go through to arrive at the decision?


Includes appropriate people in decision-making process
Tell me about a time you had to make a decision that would impact a number of other people. How did you go about it?


Makes timely decisions
Do you tend to make decisions quickly and instinctively or more slowly and methodically? Tell me about a time when your method did not achieve the results you expected. What happened and what did you do?


Leadership

Accepts feedback from others
Tell me about a time when someone gave you constructive feedback. How did you respond? What did you do with the information?


Displays passion and optimism
What are you passionate about? Tell me about a time when you generated enthusiasm and optimism in others because of your passion.


Exhibits confidence in self and others
In what areas are you the most confident? In which do you feel less confident and how are you attempting to overcome them?


Inspires respect and trust
Tell me about a time you had to build respect and trust within a team or work group. What steps did you take and what was the outcome


Motivation

Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles
Give me an example of a time when you faced obstacles that were keeping you from meeting a goal. What did you do?


Measures self against standard of excellence
Tell me about a time when you felt you came up short on your performance. What did you do about it?


Sets and achieves challenging goals
Describe the process you use to set and achieve goals.

Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals
What is the greatest risk you've taken in the last three years and what motivated you to take it?


Communication


Listens and gets clarification
Good listening is part of effective communication. Tell me about a specific time when your listening skills helped you communicate better.


Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations
Tell me about a time when you had to give instructions to another person who was having difficulty understanding. What did you do?


Professionalism

Accepts responsibility for own actions
Tell me about a time you had to tactfully confront someone about his or her inappropriate action or behavior. How did you do it?


Follows through on commitments
What steps or techniques do you take to ensure you meet your commitments?


Reacts well under pressure
Remaining calm under extreme pressure is a difficult skill for many people. Tell me about a situation when you were able to do this. Describe a situation when you were not able to stay calm under pressure. What happened and what did you do about it?


Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position
What was the biggest mistake you have made in your work? What did you do about it and what did you learn from it?


Quantity

Completes work in timely manner
What time management techniques do you use to ensure you meet productivity standards or deadlines? Give me a specific example of when you applied the techniques successfully.

Strives to increase productivity
What methods do you use to prioritize your work to ensure all tasks get completed?


Works quickly
Tell me about a time you had to work more quickly than you felt comfortable doing. How did it affect you?


Technical Skills

Assesses own strengths and weaknesses
Can you tell me in general terms how your technical skills meet the requirements for this position? What do you see as your shortcomings?


Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills
What were the two most valuable skills you learned in the last year and how did you apply them?