Sample Behavioral Questions

Have you ever had problems with a supervisor or a coworker? Describe the
situation for me.
Describe some times when you were not very satisfied with your own
performance. What did you do about it?
Give me an example of a problem you faced on the job, and tell me how you
solved it.
Give me an example of an important oal you had to set and tell me about your
proress in reachin that oal. What steps did you take?
What was your role in your department!s most recent success?
Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses at work. What did
you do?
How do you deal with competition?
Describe your ideal work environment.
"ell me about your lon#rane career objectives, and what steps have you taken
toward obtainin them.
Describe a situation when workin with a team produced more successful results
than if you had completed the project on your own.
What do you do when people disaree with your ideas?
Describe a situation where you found yourself dealin with someone who didn!t
like you. What did you do?
"ell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence
someone!s opinion.
Describe a situation where you messed up, or your results were not up to your
supervisor!s expectations. What action did you take?
Give me an example of a time when you tried to accomplish somethin and
failed. Were you discouraed by this? What did you do about it?
What does it mean to be successful? $ccordin to your definition, how successful
have you been so far?
Describe the most creative thin you have ever done at work. What was the
outcome?
"hink of a problem person you had to deal with, describe the situation and tell me
how you handled it.
Describe a situation in which you felt it was necessary to break company policy or
alter procedures to et thins done.
Describe a time when you came up with a clever way to motivate someone.
"ell me about an important oal you!ve set in the past and how you accomplished
it.
"hink of a problem person you had to deal with, describe the situation and tell me
how you handled it.
Give me an example of a colleaue% vendor% customer who was hard to
communicate with and tell me how you handled it.
Give me a description of your responsibilities in your current or last job.
"ell me about somethin you!ve done in your job that was creative. "hink of a
specific example. "ell me exactly how you handled it.
"ell me about a time you made a &uick decision you were proud of.
"ell me about an important oal you!ve set in the past and how you accomplished
it.
Do you know the expression !to roll with the punches!? "ell me about a time when
you had to do that.
When you had to do a job that was particularly uninterestin, how did you deal
with it?
"ell me about a time when an upper level decision of policy chane held up your
work. How did you handle it?
Describe a situation in your last job where you could structure your own work
schedule. What did you do?
"ell me about a time when you!ve stuck to company policy or procedure, when it
miht have been easier and more effective not to.
"hink about a problem you miht have had in bein decisive, and tell me how you
handled it.
Describe a time when you had to communicate some unpleasant feelins to a
supervisor.
What!s been your experience of dealin with poor performance of subordinates?
'rovide an example.
(n your current position, what sort of decisions do you make without consultin
your boss?
Describe a major obstacle you had to overcome in your last job. How did you
deal with it?
What types of thins have made you anry, and how did you react to those
situations?
)ou!ve told me a lot of your strenths for this job. *ut ( need to et a balanced
picture and et some knowlede of where you miht need some improvement.
Describe for me a time when you made a mistake that illustrates your need to for
improvement.
Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully
convince someone to see thins your way.
Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated
your copin skills.
Give me a specific example of a time when you used ood judment and loic in
solvin a problem.
Give me an example of a time when you set a oal and were able to meet or
achieve it.
"ell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence
someone!s opinion.
Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with
which you did not aree.
'lease discuss an important written document you were re&uired to complete.
"ell me about a time when you had to o above and beyond the call of duty in
order to et a job done.
"ell me about a time when you had too many thins to do and you were re&uired
to prioriti+e your tasks.
Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.
What is your typical way of dealin with conflict? Give me an example.
"ell 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-.
"ell me about a difficult decision you!ve made in the last year.
Give me an example of a time when somethin you tried to accomplish and
failed.
Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
"ell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset
customer or co#worker.
Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.
"ell me about a time when you deleated a project effectively.
Give me an example of a time when you used your fact#findin skills to solve a
problem.
"ell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.
Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed
preventive measures.
"ell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
Describe a time when you set your sihts too hih ,or too low-.