BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. COPING: Able to maintain a mature problem solving attitude while dealing with interpersonal conflict,
hazardous conditions, personal rejection, hostility, or time demands.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Tell me about a time when you had to cope with Discover if the individual overreacted or withdrew
strict deadlines or time demands. Give me an from demanding work. Will the success or failure in
example. coping generalize to another job?
Give me an example of a time at work when you had Determine the extent to which the candidate was
to deal with unreasonable expectations of you. What realistic in identifying unreasonable expectations.
parts of your behavior were mature and immature? Did the candidate overreact to rejection, conflict,
authority figures or criticism? Was there evidence of
high self control?
When have you had to cope with the anger or Was the individual difficult to provoke and mature or
hostility of another person? Be specific. was there evidence of antagonism or defensiveness?
How long did it take for the candidate to rebound
from any reaction?
It is not unusual to be in a setting at work that will be Discover if the candidate has had experience working
physically demanding or hazardous. Tell me about a with difficult conditions. To what extent were the
time when you were able to do a job in spite of conditions REALLY hazardous or physically
conditions. demanding? Did the candidate use REALISTIC
solutions when under a clear threat?
Sooner or later we all deal with interpersonal conflict Was there evidence for a mature problem solving
or personal rejection at work. Give me an example of attitude? Did the candidate become more aggressive,
a time when you had to cope with these demands. or withdrawing?
Tell me about a high stress situation when it was Did the individual maintain a problem solving
desirable for you to keep a positive attitude. What attitude when experiencing the pressure or was there
happened? evidence of defensiveness, self-doubt, sensitivity or a
quick temper?
Describe a high pressure situation you had to handle Did the candidate become part of the problem or part
at work. Tell me what happened, who was involved, of the solution? Was there evidence of maturity,
and what you did in terms of problem solving. ability to learn and emotional control- or was there
overreaction, self doubt or impatience?
Give me an example of a time when another person Did the response provide evidence for restraint under
really tried your patience. Specifically, talk about a a difficult situation? Was the candidate difficult to
time when you were angry or frustrated and felt like provoke and reasonably mature, or was there
attacking the other person. evidence of overreaction, hostility or a quick temper?

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 2. TOLERANCE OF AMBIGUITY: Able to withhold actions or speech in the absence of important
information, deal with unresolved, frequent change, delays of unexpected events.

Probes Interpretive Guide

An old proverb says “Silence is Golden”. Describe a Was the individual able to tolerate a situation and
time in your life when you were proud of your ability restrain comment? Was the candidate prone to jump
to postpone your comments until you had all the facts to a conclusion and be too quick in speaking up? Was
necessary for a good response to a situation. the individual creative in postponing comments?
Give me an example of a time at work when you had Was the individual comfortable with the lack of
to deal with frequent job changes or unexpected structure and able to manage delay and ambiguity
events on the job. What does this situation say about patiently- or was there a need to seek closure, jump to
your ability to work in an ambiguous or unstructured conclusions, or speak up too quickly?
circumstance
What has been your experience working with Is there evidence of an ability to deal with imperfect
conflicting, delayed, or ambiguous information? situations? Can the individual operate without a plan
What did you do to make the most of the situation? or structured agenda with some degree of comfort?
Does the person NEED a predictable, structured,
working environment?
Sometimes it is necessary to work in unsettled or Consider the individual’s preference for structure as
rapidly changing circumstances. When have you opposed to non-structured work. Probe for flexibility
found yourself in this position? Tell me exactly what in working in an unstructured situation.
you did.
When has it been necessary for you to tolerate an What sort of emotional reaction did the candidate
ambiguous situation at work? Give me the details of have to the ambiguous situation? Was there a NEED
the duration and intensity of the circumstance. to press for an immediate resolution or were there
feelings of discomfort or anxiety?
People differ in the preference for jobs which have Did the candidate have positive feelings about the
well laid out tasks and responsibilities or ones which opportunity and flexibility offered by an unstructured
work changes frequently. Tell me about a time when job? Or did the candidate feel anxious or confused
you were successful in dealing with an unstructured over what to do?
work environment.
Sooner or later we all find ourselves in the position of Look for the ability to postpone action even when
having to live with an unresolved situation on the job. frustrated. Could the individual be philosophical and
Tell me about a time when this happened to you. reasonable when having to deal with long-standing
problems?
When have you been most proud of your ability to Observe how the delay affected the individual. Was
wait for important information before taking action in there evidence of maturity and patience or was there
solving a problem? How did the waiting affect you? a tendency to move too quickly or feel discomfort?

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 3. DECISIVENESS: Able to make decisions quickly on available information and take action, make
commitments and not change decisions when challenged, deal with emergencies as necessary.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Describe a situation in which you had to draw a Was the individual able to take quick action based on
conclusion quickly and take speedy action. available information or was there a tendency to
vacillate or postpone the decision?
Tell me about a situation in which you found it Did the individual exhibit a strength of conviction or
important to ‘take a stand’ and be decisive on an resoluteness that resulted in standing firm? Did the
issue of health/safety/human welfare. decision reflect good judgment and reasonableness or
was the individual simply being ‘hard-headed’?
Describe a time when you had to commit to a plan of Pat attention to the individual’s ability to make a
action in an emergency. Give me the details of the good decision even when under stress. Ws there a
situation and tell me how long it took you to take tendency to hesitate or doubt the correctness of the
action. plan of action?
Describe a time when you were under pressure to How effective was the candidate in making a
make an immediate decision (perhaps without the decision without support or guidance from other?
aids of a supervisor or manager). Did you take action Was there the ability to show confidence and good
IMMEDIATELY or were you more DELBERATE judgment when information was lacking?
and slow?
Tell me about a situation when you had to ‘stand up’ Did the candidate show the ability to resist
for a decision you made even though it made you conforming to the expectations of others while using
unpopular. good judgment in making a ‘tough’ decision? Was
there evidence of firmness and integrity without
succumbing to popular opinion?
Describe a situation in which you had to take Consider if the individual was impulsive in coming to
immediate action in a crisis involving human life or a decision or was there a tendency to
severe financial consequences. OVERANALYZE options and delay an immediate
decision? Was the candidate TIMELY and
EFFECTIVE in making the decision?
Many situations at work will require fast thinking and Look for the ability to make a quick decision based
speed in making decisions. Give me an example of a on available information. Did the candidate vacillate,
situation in which you were especially skillful in appear confused, or postpone a necessary decision?
making a decision quickly.
Many times it is important to be ‘hard headed’ about Consider evidence of an ability to resist group
a decision you are making, particularly when other pressure and commit to a plan of action. Did the
don’t like it. Give me an example of a time when you candidate provide evidence of integrity and clear
stuck by a decision even though it was under attack awareness of important values without being
by others. dogmatic?

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 4. ASSERTIVENESS: Able to maturely express one’s feelings and opinions in spite of disagreement,
accurately communicate to others regardless of their status or position.

Probes Interpretive Guide

It is pretty realistic to say that no job is a complete Observe if the individual felt free to speak up while
‘bed of roses’. Tell me about a time when you were avoiding feelings of intimidation. Was there evidence
able to express your opinions maturely in spite of of good conflict management while handling
disagreements or objections. disagreement in a constructive manner? Probe for a
tendency to withdraw.
Give me an example of a time when you had to be Evaluate the candidate’s ability to speak up in a clear,
assertive in giving directions to others. direct manner. Question the ability to communicate
with authority figures, hostile people of manipulative
personalities.
Tell me about a time when your job required you to Observe whether the candidate showed social
say, maturely, how you REALLY felt about a maturity and an ability to deal with feelings maturely
situation. What did you say and how did you say it? and constructively. Notice if there was a tendency to
feel intimidation, be too ‘nice’, or too ‘pushy’.
Some situations require us to express ideas/opinions Listen for the ability to build a COMMUNICATION
in a very tactful and careful way. Tell me about a STRATEGY that is sensitive to others’ likes and
time when you were successful with this particular dislikes. Was skill shown in communicating
skill. DIRECTLY while preserving others’ feeling? Was it
an HONEST communication?
Sometimes it is important to disagree with others, Notice the ability to express opinions and persons in
particularly your boss, in order to keep a mistake positions of authority. Discover if there was a fear of
from being made, tell me about a time when you self-expression of was there a willingness to speak up
were willing to disagree with another person in order in a mature way.
to build a positive outcome.
Describe a time when you communicated something Observe if the candidate was timely and accurate
unpleasant or difficult to say to your manager. How with the communication. Was there a hesitation to
did you assert yourself? speak up because of feeling intimidated? Notice if
there was skill in managing guilt, hostility, or fear.
Describe a time when you had to ‘sell’ an idea to Look for the ability to be forthright and accurate eve
your boss, superior, or other authority figure. when communicating with a skeptical authority
figure. Did the example show skill in dealing with
objections and gaining acceptance? Was fear
successfully managed?
Some of the best business ideas are born out of an Look for the ability to persuade another to put aside
individual’s ability to challenge, maturely, others’ ingrained way of thinking in order to build openness
way of thinking. Tell me about a time when you were to change. Seek evidence for the use of TACT and
successful in challenging others’ ideas. What does PERSISTANCE rather than ABRASIVENESS to
this say about your ability to be assertive? UNFREEZE old ways of thinking.

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 5. ENERGIZING: Able to create positive energy (motivation) in both individuals and groups.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Give me an example of a time when your positive Look for such things as the ability to be a role model
attitude caused others to be motivated or energized. for others to emulate, to coach others to attitude
improvement, to build excitement into work. Was a
positive attitude present during the interview?
Give me a specific example of something you did Did the enthusiasm only lead to positive feelings or
which helped build enthusiasm in others. did it produce results? Evaluate whether the
candidate was the significant contributor to the group
enthusiasm. Determine whether the enthusiasm was
enduring.
Tell me about a specific time when your ability to Observe whether the candidate achieved the
reward and encourage others created positive motivation through charisma, skillful use of rewards,
motivation. or coaching skills. Determine if the candidate
understands how different rewards apply to different
people.
Tell me about a time when you showed high Observe the individual’s method of responding. Was
enthusiasm and energy in order to create positive there evidence of enthusiasm and energy? Pay
motivation in others. Give me a specific example. particular attention to the specific results associated
with energy/enthusiasm. Did energizing change
behavior or get results?
What kinds of experiences have you had in using Observe if the individual was careful in creating
prizes, contests, or financial rewards to motivate incentives that matched the needs of persons to be
others? How do you evaluate the success of these motivated. Determine whether the candidate
techniques in general? How successful were you in a distinguishes between ‘give away’ incentives and
specific case? ‘earned rewards’.
Pick an event from the last five years of your life in Notice if the example of motivation was a short term
which you were an example of high motivation for burst of energy or more of a long term behavior
other people to follow. Being specific, tell me about pattern. Was the individual truly motivational
the event. because of his/her actions or only exhibiting
enthusiasm without motivating others?
Tell me about a time in which you used competition Was the individual instrumental in developing
successfully as a means of encouraging others to try separate teams to compete or were individuals
hard. encouraged to compete with each other? Did the
competition become counterproductive by
overemphasizing winning rather than achievement of
goals?
At work it is sometimes desirable to use recognition Observe if the candidate was successful in identifying
to build motivation in others. Describe a time in the type of person for whom recognition is important.
which you were able to use recognition to create Was a distinction made between group and individual
positive energy in another person/ recognition? Did the recognition lead to higher
performance?

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 6. POLICY AND PROCEDURES: Able to relate to routine operations in a manner that is consistent with
existing solutions to problems, conform to establish policies and procedures, log work activities.

Probes Interpretive Guide

It is pretty realistic to say that no job is a completeObserve if the individual felt free to speak up while
‘bed of roses’. Tell me about a time when you were avoiding feelings of intimidation. Was there evidence
able to express your opinions maturely in spite of of good conflict management while handling
disagreements or objections. disagreement in a constructive manner? Probe for a
tendency to withdraw.
Tell me about your experiences in logging Did the individual adapt to the stated needs to
(documenting) your work activities in a written form. document work? Did the example provide
Be specific. information on a commitment to be thorough and
detailed in logging work activities, or did it seem that
he/she only complied with the requirement?
On some jobs it is sometimes necessary to act strictly Observe if the example shows whether the candidate
in accordance with policy. Give me an example out did, in fact, conform with policy when it was not
of your background when you were expected to act in convenient. Did the candidate demonstrate maturity
accordance with policy even when it was not and willingness to conform in the example?
convenient. What did you do?
When have you found it necessary to use detailed Observe if the individual is aware of how
checklists/procedures to reduce potential for error on checklists/procedures can reduce error. Also,
the job? Be specific. determine if the candidate has had a rewarding
experience in using procedures to make work more
accurate/effective.
Describe a time when you had to adopt a well- Observe if the individual was able to manage work
defined work routine. How long did the situation routine effectively. Was there an unusual need for
last? What was involved? change which led to the breaking of policy and
procedures- or- did he/she commit to policy and
procedures despite the routine?
Select a job you have had and describe the paperwork Evaluate the candidate’s actual experience in
you were required to complete. What specific things completing paperwork; to what extent does the
did you do to ensure your accuracy? completion reflect conformity to policy and
procedures?
Many positions have well-established, standard Observe if the individual can relate a systematic
methods to help you on the job. Give me an example approach to problem solving. Was the individual able
of a time when you found a systematic method for to describe how policies and procedures could be
solving work problems to be a good routine to effective in working in hazardous environments or
follow. Be specific. were unusual risk levels involved?
What types of experience have you have you had in Determine the individual’s actual level of experience
managing situations that involve human in following procedures and the extent to which this
health/human welfare or severe financial outcomes? meshes with actual requirements of the job in
Detail, as much as possible, the way in which you question. Notice how he/she managed risk. Was blind
used policy and procedures to ensure your job commitment or good judgment used?
effectiveness.

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 7. ALERTNESS: Able to be attentive to all aspects of the environment while working, to monitor
environment during routine activity.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Tell me about a specific experience you have had in Notice the extent to which the individual’s actions
which it was necessary for you to react quickly reflect alertness. Did any part of the answer suggest a
because of a change in the physical environment. tendency to be distracted or daydream?
What have been your experiences in reading dials, Evaluate the candidate’s level of experience in using
gages, or instruments in order to take critical readings instrument to monitor the environment. Determine
on your job? Tell me about a time when your the extent to which the candidate’s answer showed
alertness helped you avoid making a significant ability to pay close attention to reading even in
mistake. boring, routine activity.
Identify a time when you were able to avoid a To what extent does the response provide evidence
problem by using your ability to pay close attention for an ability to be alert to the working environment?
when operating vehicles, equipment or machinery. Does the answer suggest a tendency to be bored with
routine, leading to accident proneness? How did
he/she manage distractions?
In our type of work, it is very important to notice Does the answer reflect a genuine awareness of a
changes in the physical environment. Tell me about a change from a ‘steady state’ in the environment to a
time when you were proudest of your ability to not significant change? To what extent does the
only NOTICE environmental changes but also TAKE candidate’s answer show good attentiveness despite
ACTION to make your attentiveness pay off. distractions or irrelevant details?
Select an experience from your past which illustrates Does the answer reflect an ability to pay close
your ability to be watchful and alert when monitoring attention, despite boredom or a distracting
displays, instruments, or processes. Tell me, in detail, environment? Did the individual recognize and fight
what happened. against a tendency to daydream?
Give me an example of any time in the past when you Did the answer show more than recognition of the
were especially attentive to your environment while importance of alertness? Did the answer give
working. Feel free to showcase your skills in being information that related to attentiveness to key detail
alert while on the job. and ability to avoid distraction OR, on the other
hand, a tendency to daydream?
Tell me about an experience you have had in Was the candidate’s definition of hazardous
hazardous conditions when your alertness paid off in conditions evidence for alertness? Did the answer
saving you from a bad outcome. reflect an ability to be alert when dealing with
distractions, boredom, and repetition?
Tell me about your experience in dealing with routine Was the candidate able to explain the degree to which
work. What kinds of problems did you have to concentration was important? What techniques were
overcome in order to concentrate on the details of the used to fight daydreaming, ignore distractions, and
job? enhance alertness?

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 8. ANALYTICAL PROBLEM SOLVING: Able to use a systematic approach in solving problems through
analysis of problem and evaluation of alternate solutions, use logic, mathematics, or other problem
solving tools in data analysis or in generating solutions.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Tell me about a time when you were systematic in Did the individual identify the problem while it was
identifying potential problems at work. Feel free to still manageable or had it reached the crisis level? To
showcase your analytical skills. what extent did the example reflect a systematic
approach?
Thinking back over the last five years of your work, Determine the actual complexity of the problem as
describe a situation in which you had to use indicated by details of the example. Did the solution
mathematics to solve a complex problem. Take your reflect analytical skills, ability to do logical trouble
time, remember a good example, and tell me about it shooting, and the practice of questioning
in detail. assumptions?
What was your greatest success in using the Observe if the candidate can differentiate between
principles of logic to solve technical problems at logic and common sense decision making. To what
work? Be specific. extent are words such as deduction and inference
used? Were tools such as computers or mathematics
used as an aid in problem solving?
Describe a time when you were proud of your ability Did the individual mention specific mathematical
to use your mathematical knowledge or research formulas? To what extent were hypotheses, direct
techniques to solve a problem. observations, and test of theory used?
Solving a problem often necessitates evaluation of Determine if the individual defined more than one
alternate solutions. Dive me an example of a time solution for the problem. Were the solutions
when you actively defined several solutions to a evaluated against predefined criteria? Did the
single problem. Did you use any tools such as selection of a solution reflect a systematic approach,
research, brainstorming, or mathematics? analytical approach which anticipated problems?
Give me an example of any time when you used tools Observe if the individual has used more than casual
such as survey data, library research or statistics as reasoning in defining any problem. Dies the
important contributors to definition of a specific candidate understand the importance of problem
problem. definition as indicated by his/her past experiences or
was the solution methodology unstructured?
Enumerate the analytical tools with which you feel Observe if the individual can define analytical
competent, then give me an example from any time techniques and tools, in terms of computer skills,
in your working history which shows your ability to mathematical skills, use of logic, laboratory
use analytical techniques to define problems or techniques, or any methodology associated with the
design solutions. candidate’s profession.
To what extent has your past work required you to be Observe the level to which the individual was
skilled in the analysis of technical reports or required to analyze technical information. Did the
information? Pick any specific experience which individual simply have to read a few professional
would highlight you skills in this area and describe it articles or was detailed analysis and structured
in detail. evaluation required?

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 9. GOAL SETTING: Able to define realistic, specific goals and objectives, to prioritize objectives.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Tell me what you do in order to ensure that you have Notice if the individual has a daily, weekly, monthly,
enough time set aside for goal setting- then review quarterly, or annual time for setting goals. Be sure to
for me the specific times in which you have initiated note if there in an inability to mention a specific day
you own goal setting over the last few years. What or time allocation for goal setting, including long
happened? range goals.
In an aggressive working environment, it is often Was prioritizing necessary- an if so, to what extent
necessary to prioritize goals to be sure that effort is did establishing the priorities lead to good results?
allocated appropriately. Tell me about the most Did prioritization seem to be logical and efficient in
important time in your working history when you terms of the objectives at hand?
prioritized your goals successfully.
Tell me about eh system that you use for goal setting. Could the individual define and elaborate, rather than
To what extent does it involve using written set simple written goals? Observe if the importance
objectives, paperwork or forms? Describe a specific of a systematic process is appreciated by the
instance in which you defined your goals and candidate. Does he/she believe in written goals,
objectives in writing. irrespective of other opinions?
What important target dates did you set to reach Observe if the individual explains a logical basis for
objectives on your last job? How did you set the the target dates which were set. Could the individual
dates? Exactly what were they, and what were you refer to specific target dates and explain why they
results? were essential in the overall sequence of steps
necessary for attaining a goal?
Goal statements are often made to meet the Evaluate the individual’s commitment to set specific
expectations of others. Tell me about a time when goals in the absence of expectations from others. Was
you took the initiative to set goals and objectives, the independent action taken in order to create goal
even though you were not prompted or directed by statements?
others to do so.
What have been your experiences in defining long Observe if an individual defines long-term as being
range goals? Tell me what specific goal was set, how more than one year. Give extra value to the answer if
it was set, and how successful you were in its the candidate can describe specific long range goals
achievement. in a 5 or 10 year time frame. To what extent were the
goals achieved?
Goal statements can be used to manage your own Was a specific objective used as a basis for guiding
work activities since they enable you to guide day-to- behavior? Did the candidate seem happy to talk about
day actions successfully. Describe an especially this experience, because goal setting is an important
favorable experience you’ve had in using goals to part of his/her behavioral repertoire?
guide your own actions.
Give me an example of a time when you used a Did the candidate’s response reflect belief in the
systematic process to define your objectives. What importance if using a system for goal setting? Were
type of system did you use? What payoff did you get brand names of commercially available systems
from using the process? mentioned? How well did the individual use the
systematic process?

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 10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: Able to write clearly and effectively, present ideas, document
activities; to read and interpret written information.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Give me an example, taken from your experiences in Determine the individual’s real experience level in
report writing, preparation of memos, or general preparing written information. Did the individual
correspondence which illustrates the extent of your actually assume all responsibility for the writing,
written communication skills. editing, syntax, etc., or was there help in the
preparation? Was the writing creative?
In some jobs it is necessary to document work Observe if the candidate showed true understanding
thoroughly, in writing. For example, documentation of the importance of documentation for maintaining
might be necessary to prove you did your job work records. Did the example provide evidence for
correctly or to train another person to do it. Give me more than an average amount of thoroughness in
an example of your experiences in this area. these duties?
Tell me about the most complex information you Determine if the individual has had a significant level
have had to read- perhaps involving research you had of experience in dealing with work-related reading.
to complete. To what extent did this project test your Evaluate the complexity of the task and the
communication skills and technical knowledge? Be individual’s comprehension skills.
specific.
This job will require you to spend a large amount of Determine the individual’s actual depth of experience
time writing. Tell me about your experiences that you in written information. Did the example provide
think will contribute to your ability to do this job evidence of some comfort with using written
well. communications and did the writing experience seem
to match the job?
Describe the most significant work experience you Look for experience in using more than simple
have had in which you had to use reference materials, manuals, spelling guides, etc. observe if the
library information, manuals, etc., to get a job done. individual is capable of scanning reference sources
How much time was required? How did the reference and abstracting information important to the job.
material help you most?
In some positions it is necessary to be a thorough Did the candidate provide specific references to
meticulous reader and in other situations, it is numbers of magazines, newspapers, journals, etc.
important for one to be able to scan through large which are read on a regular basis? Was the individual
amounts of information quickly. Describe your most able to cite specific documents scanned in the last
significant scanning experiences. few days?
How much reading of new information is required in Observe if the individual can provide evidence for
your current job? How often do you have to expose superior reading skills. Did the type of material read
yourself to new written communications? When did suggest that the individual has good reading
these skills cause you to be a superior performer? comprehension or was the material read simply
forms, memos, etc.?
Describe your experiences in editing manuscripts, Was the individual the actual author? Did the
articles, documents, or any other form of written individual seem motivated to create or to supervise
communication. Be specific. others in doing documentation? Was there evidence
of good comprehension of abstract information or
was it basic and straightforward?

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 11. COMMIMENT TO TASK: Able to start and persist with specific courses of action while exhibiting
high motivation and a sense of urgency; willing to commit to long hours of work and make personal
sacrifice in order to reach goals.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Give me an example of a specific time in which you Is the candidate proud of the commitment to get the
found it necessary to give long hours on the job. For job done or did he/she complain about the personal
example, tell me about the period when it was sacrifice? Did it appear that extra hours were required
necessary to take work home, work on weekends, or because of poor delegation or because of a dedication
maintain unusually long hours. Be specific. to excellence?
Tell me about a time when you were able to provide Was there more than a nine-to-five attitude
your own motivation to produce even though you demonstrated be the example given? Did the self-
were working alone. What were the circumstances of provided motivation indicate a willingness to accept
the situation and how did you manage to motivate demanding work conditions generally or was this an
yourself? isolated incident?
Tell me about a time in your background when you Does the candidate’s work history show well
were a driving, highly motivated worker. Don’t be established work ethic and willingness to person
too modest- give yourself due credit for getting the regardless of the conditions? Was the motivation
job done. independent of special job incentives or was it an
internalized value?
Some individuals have a strong sense of urgency Distinguish whether the individual is a TYPE A-
about getting short term results-others are more ‘laid STRESED OUT person who is simply energetic or
back’ and less driven in their approach to work. Give whether the person is energetic toward the attainment
me an example of a time when you were either more of an objective. Notice if the candidate is using a
‘laid back’ or more ‘urgent’. calm approach to excuse laziness.
Getting the job done may necessitate unusual Discover if the candidate’s persistence was a result of
persistence dedication to results especially when personal initiative or was it simply required by the
faced with obstacles or distractions. Tell me about a job itself? Did the individual show self-discipline and
time in which you were able to be very persistent in high motivation over a period of high or months?
order to reach goals. Be specific.
Tell me about a time at work when someone Evaluate the degree to which the answer reflects a
commented on your high or ‘superior’ level of task major accomplishment. On the one hand, the hard
orientation. Feel free to brag on yourself. work might have taken MONTHS or YEARS to
carry out; on the other hand, less importance is
attached to a FEW HOURS of extraordinary work.
We both recognize that being successful takes more Is the individual’s task orientation present even when
than luck. Hard work is necessary in order to achieve. away from the job? Observe the individual’s track
Tell me about a time when you had to work very hard record and evaluate the level of achievement. Is
to reach your goals and be specific about what you evidence for commitment to task spotty or sustained?
achieved.
We all have to make decisions on the job about the Not the degree to which the candidate is willing to
delicate balance between personal and work show commitment be sacrificing time or personal
objectives. When do you feel you have had to make interests to get results. Was there good balance
personal sacrifices in order to get the job done? between personal and work objectives? Was there
evidence of ‘workaholic’ behavior?

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 12. INTERACTION: Able to communicate with others in a warm and helpful manner while simultaneously
building credibility and rapport.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Describe a time when you were able to be personally Did the example show how the candidate could help
supportive and reassuring to a person who needed a build a helping relationship successfully? Was the
friend. candidate sensitive to the feelings of other persons?
Was rapport built without appearing phony?
The word ‘communications’ means different things Observe whether the candidate tunes into the words
to different persons at different times. Tell me what ‘warm and amiable’ in giving an answer- or does the
this word means to you by giving me an example of a individual give a cliché or textbook answer about
time when you were able to be warm and amiable as communications. Does the candidate appear warm
a communicator. and amiable in the interview itself?
Building rapport is sometimes a very challenging Did the candidate’s response show a genuine concern
thing to do. Give an example of a time when you for the relationship with the other person or was it
were able to build rapport with someone at work, simply a means to an end. Did the candidate respond
even when the situation was against you. to rapport building questions in the interview and
otherwise seem amiable?
Being sympathetic to another person’s problems Observe whether the person is able to be genuinely
entails putting forth a special effort to understand the sympathetic. Did the sympathy seem to show a false
situation of dilemma. Give me an example of a time concern? Did the person’s feelings of sympathy
when you were able to give sympathy. How does this interfere with the ability to maintain an effective
contribute to a work outcome? working relationship?
Being skillful in dealing with other people on the job Observe whether the candidate is aware of how a
is an important factor in being productive. Describe a trusting and harmonious relationship can be built.
time when you were successful in dealing with Does it appear that the ability to build such a
another because you built a trusting and harmonious relationship can be applied to the job in question?
relationship.
It is all too easy to ignore the feelings of other To what extent did the candidate REALLY make a
because of a preoccupation with our own needs. Tell special effort to demonstrate respect in terms of
me about a time when you made a special effort to ACTIONS as well as words? Did the candidate
treat another person in a way which showed your devote extra time and effort to show concern for the
respect for other’s feelings. other’s feelings?
Relating to another person goes beyond giving Observe whether the individual was able to be
recognition and approval. Describe a time when you genuine while being helpful. Was there a balance
were helpful to another while simultaneously between the tasks and the interpersonal components
building a good relationship. of the situation? Did the candidate give more priority
to the task or the person?
Sometimes showing concern for another person is a To what extent did the interviewing, coaching, or
foundation for building a good long term counseling techniques lead to a rapport and a
relationship. Tell me about a time when your concern productive outcome? Was the concern productive?
for a particular individual was reflected in an
interview, coaching, or counseling.

Behavioral Interview Questions 12 7/17/2021

 13. INTERPRETATION: Able to interpret verbal and non-verbal behavior; to develop accurate perception
and understanding of others’ feelings, needs, values and opinions; to be sensitive to and aware of
personality differences and conflicts.

Probes Interpretive Guide

In communicating, people’s gestures or verbal cues Was the candidate able to name clues such as eye
can give us better understanding of what is meant. contact, leaning forward, tone of voice, etc. Observe
Give me an example of how your interpretations of if the candidate looked for congruence between
verbal and non-verbal behavior have helped you in verbal and non- verbal speech.
communications. Take your time.
It is sometimes very difficult to perceive the needs, Does the candidate seem to assume that all people are
values, or opinions of others. Tell me about a time relatively similar in terms of their needs, values, and
when you were able to ‘step into another person’s opinions? Was the example a good indication of
shoes’ in order to discover their unique perspective. perceptiveness?
Tell me about a time during negotiations when your Was the candidate able to understand the person as a
perceptiveness helped you to make sense out another person rather than relying on indicators of status? Did
person’s behavior. the details of the example convince you that the
candidate was insightful of the differences in
personality or non-verbal behavior?
Reading people can be an important skill. At work, Look for an indication that special time was taken to
when you analysis of another’s motives and feelings ‘read’ the other person. Was personality/motivation
paid off for you? theory, social style profiles, or body language used to
help build insight?
Tell me about a time when you were proud of your Discover if the candidate’s understanding of the other
ability to recognize how another person feels. person’s feelings came largely from stereotypes or
Describe what happened in a way which will assumptions about that individual. If not, was there
illustrate your ability to ‘read’ another person. evidence that the candidate was perceptive?
There are many work situations in which it is Observe the detail given in the candidate’s
important to be skillful in reading hidden interests description of the situation. Was objectivity and
and personality conflicts. Tell me about a time which analytical ability shown? If the candidate was part of
shows your savvy in ‘reading’ another person. the conflict, was objectivity shown in reading the
situation?
The correct understanding of differences in Notice of the candidate has a knowledge of
personality can impact on work decisions such as personality differences based on WORDS like
work assignment, employee motivation and conflict ‘compulsive’ or ‘aggressive’. Was there a precise
management. Tell how your knowledge or description which suggests thorough understanding
personality differences benefitted your effectiveness. of an individual?
Tell me about a situation in which you were Did it seem that the candidate was able to make
particularly skillful in detecting clues which show specific predictions about the individual’s future
how another person thinks or feels. How did you behavior? Were the predictions based on GUT
‘size up’ the person? FEELINGS or were they based on an accurate
understanding of past behavior and body language?

Behavioral Interview Questions 13 7/17/2021

 14. ORGANIZATION PLANNING: Able to organize or schedule people or tasks; to develop realistic
action plans while being sensitive to time constrains and resource availability.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Give me a summary of the planning activities you Is structured planning a part of the candidate’s value
have been responsible for in your career in which you system? Did the individual initiate structured
applied planning tools such as PERT, or the Critical planning or simply comply with corporate
Path method. Describe how you APPLIED the tool. requirements? How familiar was the candidate with
the use of planning tools?
Planning is often more thinking, it is also doing. Tell Did the tools help the candidate be systematic and
me what you have done with such tools as flow organized? Were the tools seen as actually useful to
charts, production schedules, and filing systems (or the candidate or was he/she simply complying with
anything else) to help you plan. another’s system?
Give me an example of a time in which you feel that Discover if the candidate can use planning to prevent
you were effective in doing away with the ‘constant emergencies. Did the plans consist or more than
emergencies’ and ‘surprises’ in your work climate. simple ‘to do lists’ or was there active use of
How did you planning help you deal with the STRATEGY and TACTICS in preventing of solving
unexpected. the problem?
Give me an example from your working history that Look for the ability to distinguish between one’s
demonstrates your ability to organize and maintain a OWN EFFORTS to organize the work and
SYSTEM OF RECORDS to facilitate your work. contributions made by others. Did the candidate
INITIATE the organization of a record system or
only fulfill company requirements?
Time management has become a necessary factor in Did the individual’s time management idea consist of
personal productivity. Give me an example of any a simple ‘to do list’ or use of a calendar or was the
Time Management skill you have learned and applied individual using time logs, timing devices, time
at work. What resulted from use of the skill? studies, goals, values of certification or delegation?
Pick any event in the last five years of your work Does the candidate use the cue with regard to ‘gut
which gives a good example of your ability to use feelings’ in forecasting as a way to suggest that an
forecasting techniques. Did you use statistical intuitive approach may be less effective? Probe to
procedures or a ‘gut level’ approach? What was your determine if tools were used such as trend analysis,
biggest predictive triumph? How did you do it? statistical methods, or math models.
Getting results at work often entails spelling out Evaluate the specificity of the candidate’s answer.
detailed action plans. Tell me about how you used Did the example contain ‘fluff’ in the way the
MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES methods to response was created? Was management by
generate a plan leading to a specific goal. Describe objectives effectively used to generate realistic
the goal and the steps you used to achieve it. schedules and timetables?
Organization and scheduling of people and tasks is a Notice if the individual saw organization and
necessary function in creating a productive working schedules as simply a way to handle emergencies.
environment. Review your experiences in this area Was there a real commitment to developing a
and detail a single case that illustrates your systematic approach to getting work done? Were
organizations and scheduling ability. time and resource constraint recognized?

Behavioral Interview Questions 14 7/17/2021

 15. CREATIVITY: Able to develop unique and novel solutions to problems; use intuition and a new way of
thinking to give birth to new ideas; to present information in an attention- getting and interesting
manner.

Probes Interpretive Guide

In the ever expanding and evolving marketplace, Was the individual’s creative effort directed toward a
product development it is necessary for growth and practical solution or simply ‘pure research’? Did the
success. Tell me about your product development in individual show the ability to generate unique ideas
a laboratory or marketing environment, focusing on in the laboratory or marketing environment that sell
one particular example. in the market?
Just about anybody can give a routine, standard Did the result of the unique solution lead to
answer to common problems; however, the payoff is recognition or special notice? Did the process of
often in the development of unique solutions to creating the solution seem to reflect effective use of
common problems. Give me an example of one of intuition and uniqueness? Was the solution a
your unique and novel problem solutions. practical, effective, and useful one?
Creative persons seem to offer fresh insights Be sure to focus attention on both the creativity and
frequently and regularly. Give me an example of a the practical acceptance of the idea with this probe.
time when one of your insights or innovations was Notice if the candidate gave an idea which was not
particularly well received by others. practical or did the candidate get acceptance of an
unimportant idea?
It is often suggested that the creative personality has Did the candidate’s example provide information
a particular way of thinking which encourages about breaking an old way of thinking to develop a
inventiveness. Give me an example of a time when new solution? Did the inventiveness cited in the
you were inventive and explored new ways of example reflect the good use of intuition and the
thinking. ability to ‘play’ with concepts?
Give me an example of a time when you think you Was more than one medium of presentation used in
were particularly creative in presenting information the example? Did the presentation really have novelty
by use of graphics, models, or displays. In giving compared to methods used previously or was it
your example, focus on how your methods produce simply a rework of a more routine style? Were
results? graphics, displays, or models used effectively?
Often individuals who are creative in one mode seem Notice whether more than one of the
to have creative skills in other areas. How do you rate art/writing/music skill forms was included in the
yourself in terms of creativity in the fields of art, example. Was the candidate able to translate his
writing, and music? Tell me, by example, how you artistic creativity into practical result which would
used these skills in your job? profit a business or market environment?
Creativity often means stepping back from Did the candidate understand how different ways of
regimented ways of thinking. When have you been thinking (structured vs. intuitive) can impact on
able to break out of a structured mind set and creativity. Notice if there was a description of how to
intuitively play with concepts and ideas? shift from one mode to the other. Was there a creative
result?
Giving birth to new ideas may come from intuition; Did it seem that the candidate gave birth to a new
however, many high quality ideas come from hard idea simply by accident or because of both skill and
work and dedication. Tell me an idea you produced hard work? Did the example indicate a capability to
through combined hard work and dedication. generate new ideas in the future because of tenacity
AND intuition?

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 16. VERSATILITY: Able to modify one’s own behavioral style to respond to the needs of others while
maintaining one’s own objectives and sense of dignity.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Sooner or later we all have to deal with arrogant, Notice if the candidate was able to give more than a
dogmatic, people. Tell me about a time when you very simple way in which flexibility was
were able to be flexible with this type of person. demonstrated. Did the action require a reasonable
amount of effort in order to adapt to the other person?
A behavioral scientist once said, “In order for one to Did the change seem to be informal and friendly or
be interpersonally effective it is necessary to change did the individual feel stressed in being adaptable?
to meet the needs of others.” Tell me how you Did the person compromise his/her personal dignity
adapted to another person successfully. while accommodating another?
In the work situation, we must all compromise to Look for evidence that the candidate achieved an
make things happen. Tell me about a time when you important, valuable, benefit to the work situation
felt it necessary to compromise your own immediate through deferral of self interests. Did the candidate
interests in order to be socially flexible and tolerant seem overly accommodating or immature?
of another person’s needs.
Several years ago, a popular phrase said ‘different Did the example cover only one instance of
strokes for different folks.’ At work, we frequently adaptation or was there evidence of adaptation to
need to deal with all sorts of people. Describe a time accommodate to several others? Was the candidate
when you adapted to different types of people. adapting to different people or to different situations?
It is sometimes very difficult to accommodate the Ws the candidate able to accommodate to a sensible
wishes of another person without going so far that we degree which did not threaten his/her personhood?
lose our own personhood. Tell me about a time when Was the candidate able to compromise skillfully
you tried hard to ‘be nice’ BUT had to back off to without being exploited?
avoid loss of self esteem.
It is often very difficult to please another person Notice if the individual was able to achieve BOTH
while maintaining your dignity. Tell me about a time objectives. Did the adaptation relate to a reasonable
when you were able to balance your sense of dignity work requirement which was appropriate to
while changing your behavioral style. accommodate or was the requirement a demeaning
one which validly threatens personal dignity?
At times, we are all required to deal with difficult Look for both the versatility and the service attitude
people. An even more demanding factor is to be of with a difficult individual. Did the candidate show
service to a difficult person. When have you been tolerance and maturity? Was the situation positively
successful with this type of situation at work? resolved?
Tell me about a time when you were able to make Notice if the candidate was able to adapt to the
someone feel comfortable when dealing with a special needs of the other person. How did the other
situation which had a lot of feelings involved in it. person feel after the discussion? Was tolerance
Describe a specific case. shown?

Behavioral Interview Questions 16 7/17/2021

 17. LEADERSHIP: Able to influence the actions and opinions in a desired direction; to exhibit judgment in
leading others to worthwhile objectives.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Give me an example of a time when you used facts Notice if the individual only attempted to be
and reason to persuade another person to take action. persuasive or was effective in persuasion. Did the
Be specific. example contain benefit statements, significant facts,
logical reasons and practical inducements?
Even though the use of authority in a leadership role Observe if the candidate felt confident in using
is not popular, it IS necessary in some situations. authority. Was there evidence of over-use or under-
Give me an example of some situation when you use of authority? Did the individual seem to be
used your authority to influence another individual. ‘locked in’ to a democratic or participative leadership
Be specific. style?
Organizations are built on the principle of delegation. Notice if the individual had a tendency to over or
Give me an example of the greatest success you have under delegate. Was there sensitivity to whether the
ever had in the use of delegation. Take time to think delegation would be appropriate in a crisis? Was
of the best example you can and be specific in there sensitivity to the ability of subordinates to carry
describing it. out the work?
Instead of simply using authority to influence another Did the candidate seem comfortable in modeling for
individual, it is sometimes desirable to lead other another person? Was there an accidental mention of a
persons by setting a positive example for them to time in which the influence of the role model was
follow. Describe a work situation when your example negative? Was there evidence of ability to change
served as a model for others. style? What were the results?
Being able to change another person’s behavior is Notice if the candidate was able to define a change of
both a skill and a responsibility. Tell me about a time objective for another individual. Was there deliberate
when you were successful in this area- what kind of selection of a method of influencing or changing that
payoffs accrued to yourself, the other individual, and person? Was there an awareness of non-manipulative
the organization? use of rewards to influence?
Individuals vary in their abilities to use power or Notice the individual’s preference for either power or
persuasion to influence others. Give me an example persuasion in channeling another person’s behavior.
of a time when you used either power or persuasion Was there a specific awareness of an important
to guide another person to a worthwhile objective. objective- or was the attempt to influence poorly
planned? Was it effective?
Currently the ‘buzz word’ to describe a certain Was the candidate overly modest about the ability to
quality that people in a leadership position have is use charm and charisma? Did the example suggest
‘charisma’. Give me an example of how YOU have credibility could be used effectively to lead others?
used personal charisma or charm to lead others. Was charm and charisma evident in the candidate’s
interview style?
Communications and leadership go hand in hand. Was there evidence that the candidate could, in fact,
Give me an example of a time when your influence another person successfully and that the
communication skills were powerful enough to influence was effective in bringing about a beneficial
enable you to influence the way others thought or outcome? Was communication used well/ Was
acted, even in a very difficult situation. authority overused?

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 18. TEAM BUILDING: Able to work with people in such a manner as to build high morale and group
commitments to goals and objectives.

Probes Interpretive Guide

We cannot do everything ourselves. Give me an Did the candidate refer to a single discussion with
example of a time when you dealt with this reality by one individual, or was there a mention of a
creating a special ‘team effort’ at work. Highlight the plan/method for dealing with the team as a group?
special aspects of the situation which best Was there emphasis on special incentives or using
demonstrate your skill in this area. confrontation to build a team?
It has been said that one of the best ways to manage Did the individual use words such as NORM,
people is to teach them how to manage themselves. STANDARD, and COMMITMENT in formulating
Tell me about a time when you contributed to a the response? Was there evidence that the candidate
working group’s ability to direct itself by building did, in fact, contribute to the work group standard as
group standards for performance. either the manager or a group member?
Building a team spirit to get results is over a very Observe if the team spirit produced a meaningful
difficult thing to do. Tell me about a time when you result. Did the team spirit come from ‘cheerleading’
had your greatest success in building a team spirit. techniques or did it result from use of conflict to
What specific results were accomplished by the build change? Was participative decision making
team? used?
Goal congruence is the overlap between individual’s Notice if the individual was able to provide a good
goals and group objectives. Tell me about a time example of goal congruity. Pay particular attention to
when you created group commitment to goals by the ability to build goal congruity between several
developing goal congruence. individuals toward a team effort. Was there true
evidence of group commitment?
It’s sometimes important to confront a negative Notice if the candidate was systematic and positive in
attitude to block de-motivators at work. Give me an handling the negative attitude. Was there evidence of
example of a time when you confronted a negative overreaction and hostility disguised as an attempt to
attitude successfully with the result of building remove negative forces at work? Was there scape-
teamwork and morale. goating?
One way to build a teamwork attitude is to explain to Was participation and open communications used in
individuals how their personal goals overlap with building the teamwork environment? Did the
team goals. Give me an example of any time in candidate’s technique actually build group
which you were able to build an overlap of individual commitment? Was there evidence of ability to
and team goals. confront negative attitude positively?
There is a big difference between being committed to Was the candidate able to distinguish between
an individual or to a team. Tell me about a time when individual and team commitment? Did the example
your commitment to a person was tested because of suggest that the candidate could conform to team
your commitment to the team. Explain what you did norms and commitments even if this conflicted with
and why. commitment to a person?
The term ‘participative management’ has been used Observe if the individual used the participative
for years to describe a technique of building a team approach effectively or saw it to be weak. Did the
spirit by collecting suggestions from others. Describe example contribute to team commitment? Was
a time when you used suggestions to build team morale lowered by over participation?
commitment.

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 19. DECISION MAIKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Able to take action in solving problems while
exhibiting judgment and a realistic understanding of issues; able to use reason, even when dealing with
emotional topics.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Solving a problem requires more than good plans; it Did the example provide evidence for sound
means taking action. Give me an example of a time judgment, a systematic approach, and a willingness to
when you were able to take meaningful action in commit to a solution? Did the solution seem
solving a practical problem. reasonable even when dealing with an emotional
topic?
Having a good solution for a problem often entails Did the candidate’s response provide evidence of
more than just being intelligent. Often, exercise of judgment in managing people, resources, or
good judgment is needed to complement logic in resistance to change? Did the candidate specific how
choosing a practical solution. Describe a time you the action was taken rather than simply elaborate in
used good judgment in solving a problem. the reason behind the action>?
When we got emotionally involved in a problem Evaluate the extent to which emotions were
situation, it is often very difficult to be objective. Tell REALLY involved in the situation and then observe
me about a time when you were proud of your ability the individual’s ability to manage feelings in a
to be objective even though you were emotional problem solving situation. Was the solution practical
about a problem situation. and reflective of good judgment?
A wise man once said, ‘The key to solving a problem Notice if a systematic, logical, reasonable approach
is in knowing exactly what the problem is.’ Tell me was used in analyzing the problem. Was a problem
about a time when your understanding of issues statement written? Were criteria analyzed? Was an
associated with the problem provided you with a analysis made of potential problems associated with
foundation for generating a good solution. the situation? Was action taken?
In many problem situations, it is often tempting to Did the candidate reflect impulsiveness in describing
jump to a conclusion and build a solution quickly. the temptation to jump to a conclusion? Was there
Tell me bout a time when you resisted this temptation clear evidence of the ability to withhold the tendency
and THOROUGHLY obtained all fact associated to take action? Did the individual use a sound
with the problem before coming to a decision. approach in getting facts?
Good problem solving often includes a careful Did the individual actually determine the facts and
review of the facts and weighing of options before weigh the options in detail throughout the decision
making a decision. Give me an example of how you making example? Was the importance of using a
reached a practical business decision by an organized structured decision making process recognized?
review of the facts and weighing of options.
Even though you may be dealing with a complex Notice if the individual referred to people
problem, it is often important to use a common sense requirements, resource limitations, previous
approach in making a decision; not all analytical agreements or any other limitation of an analytical
solutions will seem practical. Tell me about a time decision making approach. Would the solution have
when your common sense paid off for you. approval of others who were involved?
Often, extensive job training and experience is Notice the extent to which the individual provided
required to get the best results in decision making. detail on the practical impact of training/experience.
Describe, in detail, a situation in which you used Will this training/experience generalize to the job in
your training and experience in making a decision question? Did the decision work?
which required sound judgment.

Behavioral Interview Questions 19 7/17/2021

 20. READING THE SYSTEM: Able to recognize and use information about organizational climate and key
individuals to accomplish legitimate organizational goals; be aware of the importance of timing; politics
and group processes in managing change.

Probes Interpretive Guide

Unfortunately, most organizations have some Did the individual demonstrate an understanding of
political elements which impact on the way things get the hidden political agenda, anticipate the outcome,
done. Tell me about a time in your background in avoid trouble, and generate a solution with a positive
which you feel you worked within the system, outcome while working WITHIN the system?
handling a political situation effectively.
Many times, getting results necessitates development First discover if the candidate understand the
of a full understanding of the informal climate which questions. Many individuals who are not astute in
dictates how things get done. Give me an example of organizational dynamics do not understand the
a time when you were able to manipulate the differences in formal and informal systems. Was a
power/influence system to get results. desirable objective reached?
Many times, getting results requires a full Notice if the candidate’s response reflects the
understanding of the organizational climate or understanding of the question. Did the candidate’s
culture. Tell me about a time when your astuteness or answer reflect an ability to use key individuals,
‘street smarts’ in an organization helped you to get knowledge of timing, organizational politics or group
results. processes in making things happen?
Different people have different ‘hot buttons’. When Notice if the candidate is astute enough not to say
have you been successful I discovering a KEY embarrassing things about a previous manager or co-
person’s ‘hot button’ and USE that knowledge to worker. Was the understanding of another person’s
bring about an important change. Be specific. needs used effectively to achieve positive change
without manipulation?
At times it is very important to understand how Notice if the candidate’s definition of ‘good sue’ was
communication channels, interpersonal networks, and self-protection or contribution to a meaningful result.
politics influence decisions at work. Describe a time Is the individual able to describe political networks
when your understanding of the political dynamics at and indicate how these networks impacted on a
work was put to good use. decision?
Organization change is often guided by friendships Observe if the individual simply described a network
and relationships which can influence how things of contacts in terms of friendships or was the network
happen. Tell me a time when you used your of contacts used to contribute to productive work
interpersonal skills to build a network of contacts to outcomes?
reach goals.
The term ‘shrewd’ suggests an ability to understand Observe if the individual used common sense in
what REALLY needs to be done to reach an understanding the ‘how’ of getting results. Did the
organizational objective. Tell me how you ‘read the candidate describe a meaningful strategy which led to
system’ shrewdly to reach a goal. a positive outcome of was self-protection or revenge
the goal?
Give me an example of a time when your ‘timing’, Did the candidate seem to use common sense while
political awareness, and knowledge of how groups ‘reading the system’? Was evidence given of blind
work enhanced your ability to generate a change. spots, anxiety or excessive aggressiveness in a
Take your time in coming up with a specific change solution? Was the result a ‘win-win’
example. outcome?

Behavioral Interview Questions 20 7/17/2021