To prepare for the interview process, it is necessary to determine the critical performance skills (success factors) for the position under evaluation. This is not an exhaustive list of skills and behavioral questions used in a job interview. This discussion demonstrates the use of linking the skill under evaluation to a specific behavioral question.
INITIATIVE: Acting to influence one’s environment, rather than reacting to it, i.e., being a self-starter.
Behavioral Questions:
- Can you think of some projects that were sold or implemented successfully, primarily because of your initiative?
- Tell me about some projects you generated on your own. What prompted you to begin them?
PERSONAL IMPACT: Ability to create a good impression to command attention and respect and to show an air of confidence.
Behavioral Questions:
- Describe a time or situation in which you were recognized by your peers for a contribution you made to the company.
CREATIVITY: Ability to come up with imaginative solutions in business situations.
Behavioral Questions:
- What are some recent examples of things you have done to foster creativity in your work group?
- Think of current problem in which old methods are not working. How could it be solved?
STRESS TOLERANCE: Stability of performance under stress.
Behavioral Questions:
- Explain some of the critical problems you faced in your last job and how you handled them.
- Do you feel pressure in your job? Tell me about it.
BEHAVIOR FLEXIBILITY: Ability to modify behavior in order to reach a goal.
- Describe a time in which you felt it necessary to modify or change your actions in order to respond to the needs of another person.
LEADERSHIP: Getting individuals or groups to accomplish a task or accept an idea.
- Describe a situation in which you were able to positively influence the actions of others in a desired direction.
- Give me an example of a time when you were able to build motivation in your subordinates.
- What did you do in your last job to contribute to a teamwork environment?
SENSITIVITY: Skill in perceiving and reacting sensitively to the needs of others.
- Describe your most recent problem-solving session with one of your subordinates.
- What do you think is your subordinate’s greatest need?
- How do you motivate marginal performers in the project team?
PROBLEM ANALYSIS: Effectiveness in seeking out pertinent data and determining the source of the problem.
- Tell me about some of the project management problems you faced in previous jobs and the procedures you followed in solving them.
DECISION MAKING QUALITY: Ability to select an appropriate course of action after generating and evaluating several alternatives.
- Give me an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.
- Describe the toughest project management issue you have faced. What steps did you follow in making your decision to resolve this issue?
ORAL COMMUNICATION AND PRESENTATION: Speaking with clarity and ease to individuals and before groups.
- Can you tell me about an experience in which you had to speak up in order to get a point across that was important to you?
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: Expressing ideas in writing.
- Describe the writing process you follow in drafting a proposal.
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