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Examples of behavioral interview questions and appropriate answers for various workplace competencies including problem solving, judgment, coping skills, resilience, integrity, energy, tenacity, attention to detail, high work standards, and organizing and planning. The questions are designed to explore the interviewee's ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems, make logical decisions, cope with stress, handle criticism, adjust to changing demands, take responsibility for mistakes, adhere to organizational policies, work long hours, and maintain high performance standards.
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Problem solving is a frequently required workplace competency whether the employer is exploring management competencies, sales competencies, customer service competencies or administrative competencies.
This behavior interview question is designed to explore your ability to identify, analyze and solve problems. Show how you are able to gather and organize the necessary information and identify the best solution.
"We were getting a lot of complaints about late deliveries". (Situation)
"I met with the staff involved in the customer delivery department and discovered that the problem seemed to be with the stock coming through on time. I investigated and found that requests for new inventory were not processed fast enough. The backlog was in the orders department as they were not following up adequately with the suppliers. A system for regular follow-up was quickly implemented." (Action)
"This sorted out the stock problems and the delivery staff were able to meet their deadlines." (Result)
The ability to use your initiative is often explored during competency-based interviewing. The interviewer wants to know if you are proactive and able to generate workable ideas. Show how you are a self-starter who will take action beyond what is asked of you.
"I work in orders and the company was launching a new product. The sales team had in-depth training on it but we had none."(Situation)
"I suggested that the orders department should also receive the training so that we would understand what was being ordered and be able to answer any questions if necessary. It was agreed we would all undergo a short version of the training." (Action)
"This meant that we could deal professionally with the orders. It also motivated us as we felt part of the launch team." (Result)
Judgment is another essential behavioral competency in the workplace. The interviewer is exploring your ability to make logical decisions and take action. Show how you consider all the relevant facts, weigh up the alternatives and commit to the most appropriate action.
"I was responsible for ordering office supplies for the company." (Situation)
"The company always ordered a month's supply at a time to keep inventory costs low. I had to decide whether to keep doing this or buy six month's supply and get a discount for ordering such a big volume and escape possible future price increases. I did some research and worked out we could reduce our costs by buying for six months, especially since the amount we used remained practically unchanged month on month." (Action)
"I was right, the prices went up by 10% during those six months." (Result)
The interviewer wants to know whether you are able to perform under pressure and cope with difficult situations. Show that you can stay calm and you are able to plan to reduce stress.
"I worked for a manager who used to shout at me when he was under pressure to meet deadlines. (Situation)
I got upset the first couple of times and then I decided to talk to him about it. I empathized with the stress he was under and suggested that he communicated his expectations clearly to me on a daily basis so that I knew exactly when he needed something and I could also give him feedback on progress. We arranged an early morning feedback meeting every day. (Action)
members to brief them and get feedback. I was then able to re-focus on completing the budget on time. (Action)
The costing was completed on time, each staff member really contributed and I didn't miss my budget deadline". (Result)
This competency involves taking responsibility for your own performance and completing work in a timely, consistent and accurate manner.
In your answer show you are able to take responsibility for your mistakes. Highlight your attitude to meeting personal commitments and doing what you promise. Focus on the importance of trustworthiness and job commitment.
This competency manifests in maintaining social, organizational and ethical norms. Respecting confidentiality, organizational regulations and personal commitments.
In your answer focus on how you adhere to organizational policies and procedures. Your answer should show that you are able to behave in a responsible manner and be courageous and honest enough to remain on the side of correct work standards. Integrity means having the confidence to take relevant action if a colleague is violating professional and organizational standards.
A person with energy is able to maintain a high activity level and sustain productivity over long periods of time.
In your answer focus on your ability to work long hours while remaining effective, to perform mentally or physically taxing work for extended periods of time. Highlight your stamina and enthusiasm. Show a commitment to putting in additional effort.
This competency is the ability to stay with a plan of action until the desired outcome is achieved or no longer reasonably attainable.
In your answer focus on your ability to make repeated attempts to get to your objective, to stay with the task until it is completed and to make a plan to overcome obstacles that arise along the way.
In asking this behavioral interview question the interviewer wants to know if you are able to accurately complete your tasks with close attention to all aspects of your work and carefully control errors. In your interview answer show that you are concerned with maintaining accuracy and check your work for errors.
"In my last position I had to make all the travel arrangements for my manager.(Situation)
I listened carefully, noted down what she needed and then read it back to her to confirm that I had it right. I would also follow up with a detailed email to check again. Once I had made the arrangements I would set up a time to give her feedback and check I had everything she needed. I then followed this up with an email with all the confirmed details. (Action)