Behavioral Competencies

Behavioral interview questions ask you to tell the interviewer a story about a time when you handled a specific type of situation. The theory behind these questions is that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.

Respect for Others

• Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a difference of opinion with a co-worker/customer/supervisor. How do you feel you showed respect?

• Tell me about a time when you needed to give feedback to an employee with emotional or sensitive problems. Was the outcome?

• Describe the way you handled a specific problem involving others with differing values, ideas and beliefs in your current/previous job.

Interpersonal Skills

• Give me a specific example of a time when you had to address an angry customer. What was the problem and what was the outcome?

• Tell me about the most difficult challenge you faced in trying to work cooperatively with someone who did not share the same ideas. What was your role in achieving the work objective? What was the long-term impact on your ability to get things done while working with this person?

• Describe a work situation that required you to really listen and display compassion to a co-worker/employee who was telling you about a personal/sensitive situation.

• Describe the way you handled a specific problem involving people in your last job.

Supports Diversity and Understands Related Issues

• Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a wide variety of people by accepting/understanding their perspectives.

• What have you done to further your knowledge/understanding about diversity? How have you demonstrated your learning?

• Can you recall a time when you gave feedback to a co-worker who was unaccepting of others?

• Can you recall a time when a person's cultural background affected your approach to a work situation?

• How have you handled situations in which you could not understand a customer's strong accent?

• Tell me about a time that you successfully adapted to a culturally different environment.

• Tell me about a situation in which you had to separate the person from the issue when working to resolve differences?

• How have you taken responsibility/accountability for an action that may have been offensive to the recipient?

• Tell me about a time that you adapted your style in order to work effectively with those who were different from you.

• How have you reacted to conversations between co-workers that were clearly offensive to non-participants?

• Give examples of when your values and beliefs impacted your relationships with your co-workers.

• Tell me about a time that you evaluated your own beliefs or opinions around issues of difference.

• Tell me about a time when you avoided forming an opinion based upon a person's outward appearance.

• How have you made your voice heard in a predominantly male or female-dominated environment?

• What measures have you taken to make someone feel comfortable in an environment that was obviously uncomfortable with his or her presence?

Honesty/Fairness

• Tell me about a specific time when you had to handle a tough problem which challenged fairness or ethical issues.

• Tell me about a tough decision you made. What steps, thought processes, and considerations did you take to make an objective decision?

Builds Trust

• Think of a situation where you distrusted a co-worker/supervisor, resulting in tension between you. What steps did you take to improve the relationship?

• Keeping others informed of your progress/actions helps them feel comfortable. Tell me your methods for keeping your supervisor advised of the status on projects.

• If you can, tell me about a time when your trustworthiness was challenged. How did you react/respond?

• Give me examples of how your have acted with integrity (walked your talk) in your job/work relationship.

• Tell me about a time when you had to give feedback to an employee who displayed a lack of professionalism in their work relationships. What did you say? What standards did you set? What was the outcome?

• Setting high expectations implies you believe the employee can deliver. Give me an example of having done this.

• Trust requires personal accountability. Can you tell me about a time when you chose to trust someone? What was the outcome?

• Tell me about a time when you had to give the "benefit of the doubt" to a co-worker/supervisor. What was the outcome?

• Give me an example of when you ‘went to the source' to address a conflict. Do you feel trust levels were improved as a result?

Recognizes Others' Achievements/Contributions

• Give me an example of how you and your staff have celebrated success in the past. What was the occasion?

• Tell me about a time when you were able to provide a co-worker/employee with recognition for the work they performed. What did you do?

• What consistent methods do you use to ensure that staff feel valued for their contributions?

Understands Others' Perspectives

• By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people.

• Gaining the cooperation of others can be difficult. Give a specific example when you had to do that.

• Tell me about the most difficult challenge you faced in trying to work cooperatively with someone who did not share the same ideas. What was the difference in ideas? What was the outcome? What was the long-term impact on your ability to get things done working with this person?

• Tell me about a time when you felt your staff was under too much pressure. What did you do about it?

Resolves Conflicts Constructively

• Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when you felt the individual did not value your perspective.

• Tell me about a time when you and your previous supervisor disagreed but you still found a way to get your point across.

• Describe a time when you facilitated a creative solution to a problem between employees.

• Tell me about a recent success you had with an especially difficult employee/co-worker.

• Thinking of the most difficult person you have had to deal with, describe an interaction that illustrates that difficulty. Tell me about the last time you dealt with him/her? How did you handle the situation?

• Describe a time when you took personal accountability for a conflict and initiated contact with the individual(s) involved to explain your actions.

Positive Attitude

• What three specific things about your last job gave you the most satisfaction? Why?

• What have you done in your last job that makes you feel proud?

• Please think back to a time when setting a positive example had the most beneficial impact on people you worked with. How did you determine that a strong example was needed? What was the effect on the staff?

• Tell me about a time when you needed to address an employee's attitude. What did you say to that person? What was the outcome?

• Describe your best boss. Describe your worst boss.