INTERVIEW TIPS - CHEAT SHEET (pt 2)

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

The goal of the interview is to identify and measure competencies (a fancy HR word for abilities). Require the candidate to provide details and examples. Begin questions with descriptive words or phrases: ‘tell me about’, ‘describe’, ‘how’, ‘when’, ‘help me understand’. Use follow up questions until you are satisfied that you fully understand the example given.

Competency: Communication

1. Give me an example of a time you felt best about listening to a customer/client’s ideas or concerns.

• What was the situation
• Initially, what was your point of view or recommendation?
• What do you feel you achieved as a result of listening to this person?

2. Tell me about the last time you had to ask a co-worker or customer for more information in order to understand what he or she was saying.

• What was the person trying to communicate?
• What made it difficult to understand what the other person was communicating?
• How did you ensure you understood correctly?
• What, if any, changes did you make to your style of communication?

3. Give me an example of a time when you had to deliver a difficult message.

• What was the situation?
• What did you say to communicate the message?
• How did you handle negative reactions?
• What follow up, if any, was necessary?

Competency: Customer/Client Service

1. Tell me about a successful client relationship you developed that was the most challenging one for you to build.

• What was the situation?
• What was it that made this relationship challenging?
• What steps did you take in building communication?
• What worked best (or was least effective) in building the relationship?
• What was the outcome?

2. Client needs are not always obvious immediately. Tell me about a time you were particularly effective at identifying a client’s needs that were not immediately apparent.

• What was the situation?
• What were the obvious and not so obvious needs?
• How did you identify the client’s needs?
• How did the client respond?

3. Give me an example of the last time you went out of your way to provide exceptional client service.

• What was the situation?
• What did you do that was exceptional?
• How did the client respond?

4. Give me an example of a time when you were not able to meet the client’s request.

• What made the situation challenging?
• How did you communicate the information?
• How did the client respond?
• What was the outcome?

Competency: Facilitating Teamwork

1. Tell me about the last time you had to put together a team and encourage members to work together toward a common objective.

• What prompted you to put together this team?
• How did you go about coordinating and encouraging them?
• How did they respond?
• What was the outcome?

2. When were you most effective at bringing different people together to produce results during a period of swift organization change?

• What type of project brought you and the team together?
• What did you do to ensure that everyone worked well together?
• What impact did your efforts have on the group’s accomplishments?

3. Tell me about the time you had to work with a team that was not a fit for you.

• What was the project?
• What did you do to foster collaboration?
• How did the team respond to you?
• What as the result?

Competency: Initiative/Pro Activity

1. Describe your best example of taking the initiative to do something that needed to be done, even though it wasn’t your responsibility.

• What was the situation?
• What circumstances required you to act?
• What actions did you take?
• What impact did your initiative have on the situation?

2. When have you most effectively taken charge when there was no clear leader designated on a project or assignment?

• What was the project or assignment?
• What led you to assume the role of leader?
• How did you effectively assume the role?
• What was the outcome?

3. Sometimes we encounter a situation in which we know something needs to be done, but we’re not exactly sure how to proceed. Tell me about the last time you encountered a situation like this.

• What was happening?
• What made the situation so ambiguous?
• What methods did you use to identify the things that needed to be done?
• What was the outcome?

Competency: Interpersonal Facilitation

1. Tell me about a time you were successful delivering a negative message to someone in a constructive and sensitive way.

• What made the message difficult to deliver?
• What did you say to the individual?
• What was his/her reaction to your message?
• What was the outcome?

2. Tell me about the biggest disagreement you have had with a co- worker, boss, or someone else in the workplace.

• What was the issue?
• What did you say or do?
• How did you end the conflict?
• In hindsight, would you have done anything differently?

3. Think about the most difficult person you’ve worked with on a project. Tell me about the time you felt best about the way you handled this person.

• What was the situation?
• How did you change your behavior to successfully work together?
• What was the resolution?
• How is your working relationship today?

Competency: Time Management/Organization

1. Tell me about the time your work was the busiest and how you prioritized your projects and responsibilities.

• What steps did you take to keep things under control?
• How did you decide the order of priorities?
• What deadlines had to be adjusted?
• What was the outcome? 

2. Tell me about the most comprehensive and effective plan you’ve developed for meeting a challenging deadline.

• What steps did you identify to achieve your objectives?
• What support or resources did you identify as necessary for achieving your goals?
• How did you monitor your progress?
• What was the outcome?

3. I’d like to hear about when you were most effective at managing your time to complete all of your assignments.

• What situation was the situation?
• What steps did you take to manage your time?
• What were some of the obstacles you faced prioritizing your work?
• What impact did your efforts have on the overall efficiency of the department or office?