Sample Interview Questions | WSU HRS, Study notes of Communication

Download Sample Interview Questions | WSU HRS and more Study notes Communication in PDF only on Docsity! 1 Sample Interview Questions Behavioral interview questions are designed to explore an interviewee’s past behaviors to help identify future performance. These sample questions focus on desirable abilities, competencies and/or skills applicable to many Washington State University jobs. Tips for Interviewers Focus on what the interviewee did, said, felt or thought in the past. The interviewer should be looking for phrases such as ‘‘I did….’’, ‘‘I said….’’ etc. Focus is on what the interviewee actually did/said/thought/felt in the past. If the interviewee uses such phrases as ‘‘I would,’’ the interviewer should probe by saying, ‘‘What did you actually do at that time?’’ Focus on what the interviewee said he/she did, rather than what ‘‘we’’ did. The interviewer should probe the interviewee if ‘‘We’’ is used in describing actions. For example, if the interviewee says ‘‘We implemented the new payroll system by…..’’ it is the interviewer’s job to ask the interviewee what his/her role was and what he/she actually did (as an individual). Ask the interviewee to provide a brief (30 second) overview of the situation by highlighting the beginning, middle, and end. This helps the interviewer to keep the interview on track. For example, if you feel lost in the discussion, you can pause the conversation by asking the interviewee to explain where he/she is in the story (beginning, middle, or end). ACCOUNTABILITY  Describe a situation where something that you did had a negative outcome. What did you do to turn the situation around?  Can you explain a situation when you have made a mistake? What did you do about it?  Tell me about a time when you had ‘‘down time" at a job. How did your handle this situation? AGILITY and FLEXIBILITY  Give an example of a time when the scope or structure of a project changed. How did you modify your plans/actions? What was the outcome?  Give an example of a time when you had two important projects competing for your time. How did you handle? What happened?  Describe a time in which you had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. What was the impact of the change on you? On your work or project?  Give me an example of how you have used your skills to adjust to varying work flows and differing assignments in the past.  Tell of a time when you were confronted with a difficult change and discuss how you were impacted. How did you respond to the change?  Give me an example of a time when your job responsibilities changed and how you dealt with it. 2  Tell me about a time when there was an unexpected event that resulted in you having to take on additional duties.  Recall a time when your leader assigned you a task that you considered outside your job description. How did you handle the situation? What was the outcome?  Give me an example of a busy day and how you handled additional responsibility.  Tell of a time when you worked with a colleague who was not completing their share of the work. How did you handle the situation and what was the result? COMMUNICATION  Describe how you have handled implementation or enforcement of an unpopular policy or procedure?  Describe to me how you like to receive feedback, both positive and negative. Provide an example of each.  Please provide details of a time when you had a miscommunication with a co‐worker. Were you able to resolve issues on your own and what steps did you take to communicate this?  Please share with us a recent conflict between you and a co‐worker and how you handled it.  Please share with me the most important constructive criticism you have ever received and how you used that criticism to change something about yourself.  Tell me about an experience when you had to use a communication tool and describe the outcome.  Give me a recent example that best shows your ability to communicate effectively.  Listening is a valuable tool. Describe a time when good listening skills helped you overcome a communication problem or gave you an opportunity to exceed a patient or family’s expectations.  Tell me about a situation when you had to speak up (be assertive) in order to get a point across that was important to you.  Describe the most significant written document or presentation you’ve written or presented. Who was your audience? What was the outcome of your communication/presentation?  Give an example of a time when you communicated successfully with another person, even when that individual may not agree with your point of view.  Give an example of a complex process / situation you had to describe to someone. What specifically did you do to make sure the information was clear?  What has been the most challenging written assignment you have had? What made it challenging? How did you approach the assignment?  Describe a time when you realized you needed to make an improvement in your communication skills. What was the situation and how did you manage it?  Describe a time when you communicated difficult information/critical feedback to your supervisor. How did you give the information/feedback? CONFLICT RESOLUTION  Give an example of time when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle him/her?  Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a conflict  Give me an example of a time when you were able to bridge a personality conflict that existed within your work place to accomplish a task. 5  Give me an example of a time when you had to keep from speaking or making a decision because you did not have enough information.  Give me an example of a time when you had to be quick in coming to a decision. What happened and what did you do?  Provide an example of how you reached a decision by reviewing facts, information at hand and available options. What was the situation and what did you decide?  Describe a situation where you handled decisions under pressure or when time limits were a factor. What was the outcome? INITIATIVE  How do you prioritize your tasks?  At times our work load may feel unmanageable. Describe a time when you recognized that you were unable to meet multiple deadlines. What did you do about it?  Tell us about an idea you started that involved collaboration with your colleagues that improved morale/customer service/productivity in your Department. When you had extra time available at your last job, tell me ways you found to make your job more efficient.  What processes or techniques have you learned to make a job easier, or to be more effective? What was your discovery process and how did you implement your idea?  Give me an example of a new idea you suggested to your manager within the last six months. Describe steps you have taken to implement your idea. LEADERSHIP  Name some qualities you feel are important for effective leadership. How have you demonstrated these qualities in your previous/current positions?  How have you helped develop the skills of your staff, colleagues, or superiors?  Tell me about a project/idea that you initiated. Explain how you communicated progress to your team.  Explain a situation where you had an opinion that differed from a manager. Were you able to persuade the manager to change his or her opinion?  Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.  Describe a time when an employee or your supervisor gave you feedback on a leadership skill you needed to develop. What was the skill and what did you do? What was the outcome?  What are some of the ways you reward and recognize your staff? Provide examples of when you have done this. PROBLEM SOLVING  What steps do you take to analyze a problem before making a decision? Can you tell me about a time when you have taken these steps? What happened?  Sometimes a small problem can be identified and fixed before it becomes a major problem. Give an example of when you have done this and what the result.  Describe a situation where you had to research and review information for the purpose of making a decision or recommendation.  Provide an example when you used tools such as survey data, research or statistics to define or solve a problem. 6  Tell me about a time when you made an important decision with a limited amount of information.  Required information to complete an assigned task is past due. The responsible department staff member or manager is non‐responsive. Give me an example of your follow‐up steps. How would you manage the process of solving the delinquency of delivery of needed information?  Tell me about a time when you had a difficult time gathering needed information in order to complete a task? How did you manage the process particularly as it relates to follow‐up?