Behavioral Questions

Sample Behavioral Questions by Skill

Analytical/Problem Solving
 Tell me about a time when you had to analyze information and make a recommendation.
 Describe an instance when you had think quickly to free yourself from a difficult situation.
 Give me an example of when identified potential problems and resolved the situation before it became serious.
 Tell me about a situation where you had to solve a difficult problem.

Communication
 Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when
that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
 Tell me about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to get a point across.
 Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your
way.
 Give me a specific example of a time when you had to handle an irate customer.

Creativity/Innovation
 Tell me about a problem that you’ve solved in a unique or unusual way.
 Describe the most significant or creative presentation/idea that you developed/implemented.
 Tell me about a time when you created a new process or program that was considered risky.
 Give me an example of a time when you came up with an innovative solution to challenge your company, class or
organization was facing.

Decision Making
 Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make within the past year.
 Give me an axample of a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed.
 Discuss a time when you had to make a quick decision.
 Give me an axample of a time when there was a decision to be made and procedures were not in place.

Goal Setting
 Give me an axample of an important goal that you have set and tell me how you reached it.
 Tell me about a goal that you set and did not reach.
 Describe a specific goal you set for yourself and how successful you were in meeting it.

Flexibility/Adaptability
 Tell me about a time when you had to adjust to changes over which you had no control.
 Tell me about a time when you had to adjust to a classmate’s or colleague’s working style in order to complete a
project or achieve your objectives.
 By providing specific examples, demonstrate that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and/or work
environments.
 Tell me about a situation when you had to be tolerant of an opinion that was different from yours.

Integrity/Honesty
 Tell me about a time when you experienced a loss for doing what is right.
 Give a specific example of a policy you conformed to with which you did not agree.
 Tell me about a specific time when you had to handle a tought problem that challenged fairness or ethical issues.
 Tell me about a time when you challenged the status quo to do what you felt was right.

Interpersonal
 Give me an axample of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with.
 Describe a stuation where you had a conflict with another individual and how you dealt with it.
 Tell me about the most difficult challenge you faced in trying to work cooperatively with someone who did not
share the same ideas.

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 Behavioral Questions
(Continued)
Leadership/Initiative
 Tell me about a time when you were able to provide a co-worker with recognition for the work they performed.
 Describe a leadership situation that you would handle differently if you had it to do over again.
 Tell me about a time when you were in a leadership role and were faced with resistance.
 Tell me about a time when you showed initiative and took the lead in a team project.

Organization/Time-Management
 Describe a situation that required you to do a number of things at the same time.
 Give me a specific example of time when you were unable to complete a project on time.
 Give me an example of a recent assignment that required the greatest amount of effort with regard to organization.
 Tell me about a time when you got caught up in the details of a project.

Strengths/Weaknesses
 Tell me about a time when you did not live up to your full potential.
 Describe for me a time when you failed at something and how you responded.
 Tell me of a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem..

Teamwork
 Tell me about a time when you worked on a team and a member was not doing their share of the work.
 Tell me about a time when you had to work in a team in which the members did not get along.
 Describe your involvement with a team project .
 Give me an axample of a time when you were working on project and the others disagreed with your ideas.
Probing/Follow-up Questions:
 What steps did you take? What was your reasoning?
 What action did take? Who do you think was at fault?
 What happened after that ? Where were you when this happened?
 What did you say? What time was it?
 How did he/she react? Who else was involved?
 How did you handle that? Tell me more about your interaction with that person
 What was your reaction? What was your role?
 How do you feel about that? What obstacles did you face?
 What was the outcome? What were you thinking at that point?
 Were you happy with that outcome/result? Lead me through your decision process.
 What did you wish you had done differently? How did you prepare for that?
 What did you learn from that? Why?
 How did you resolve that? How?
 What was the outcome of that? When?
 Why did you decide to do that? Where?
 What was your logic? What?
Content gathered from the following sources. Used by permission.
1) Michigan State University, Human Resources. Behavioral-Based Interview Questions.
[Online] Available:http://www.hr.msu.edu/Dept/comp/behavior.htm, Oktober 26, 2000
2) University of Maryland-Robert H.Smith School of Business, Society for Human Resource Management
Student Chapter. Sample Behavioral Interview Questions Grouped by Skill.[Online] Available:
http://www.inform.umd.edu/Student/Campus_Activicties/StudentOrg/shrm/sample_question.htm,
March 21, 2000.

FOR FURTHERS INFORMASTION, VISIT THE CAREER CENTER, H. WILLIAM CLOSE (BA) BLDG.,6THFL
PHONE:777-7280 E-MAIL:career@sc.edu WEB PAGE :http://www.sc.edu/career

10/31/02 – DMH G:Share/Handouts/MS Word/Behavioral Questions

1) Describe a time you were given a task with specific instructions and you chose not to follow those
instructions?

2) What have you done to prepare for this interview?

3) How do you typically handle criticism? Give an example.

4) Describe a situation where you feel you were unfairly criticized. What did you do?

5) What have you learned from your previous boss?

6) Tell me about a project you initiated and carried out.

7) How do you respond to failure? Cite an axample.

8) When you are supervising people, how do you motivate them?

9) What’s your favorite website?

 Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see
things your way.
 Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.
 Give me specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
 Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
 Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone’s opinion.
 Give me a specific axample of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not aggre.
 Please discuss an important written document you were required to complete.
 Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
 Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.
 Give me an axample of a time when you had to make a split second decision.
 What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an axample.
 Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual
may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
 Tell me about a difficult decision you’ve made in the last year.
 Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.
 Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
 Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.
 Give an example of a time when you motivated others.
 Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.
 Give me an example of a time when used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.
 Tell me about a time when yous missed an obvious solution to a problem.
 Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.
 Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
 Please tell me about a time you had to fire a friend.
 Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).