SAMPLE BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS

From Smith Business School, UMCP

Coping with Stress

I’d like to hear about an occasion when you were trying to accomplish something, but ran into an obstacle or hurdle. What was the occasion? What were you trying to accomplish & why? What did you do when you ran into the obstacle?

Time Management/Planning & Organization

Please describe a situation in which you had more to do than you had time to get it done. What was the situation? What did you do? What ended up happening?

Persuasion & Communication Skills

Can you tell me of a specific instance, either on the job or at school, in which you had to deal with people or a person who was completely uncooperative? How did you deal with it? What was the result?

Tell me about a time that you sold something—a product or an idea—that you didn’t really believe in. What was the situation, and how did you go about selling the idea or product?

Tolerance of Ambiguity

Was there ever a time when you had to deal with frequent changes or other unexpected events on a job or class project? What did you do—how did you deal with the changing demands?

Decision Making/Problem Solving

Describe for me a time when you faced a particularly difficult problem or decision. What were some of the things you considered in your decision? What did you end up deciding to do?

Leadership & Motivation

Sometimes at work, we have to change another person’s behavior to get the job done. Can you think of a time where you had to get another person to change their behavior to accomplish a goal? What was the situation? What did you do to influence the other person?

Communication

• Describe a time when you have had to rely on your written communication to get a goal accomplished.
  



• Summarize a situation when you have had to convince others to do something they didn’t want to do. How did you handle any resistance?
  



• Discuss an occasion when a decision regarding your project was contingent on your presentation skills
  

Creativity

• Tell me about a creative/innovative idea that you presented, produced and coordinated which led to a significant contribution to a project.
  

Cross-cultural/Global/Multicultural

• Discuss a time when you worked on a project when you had members of an underrepresented group on your team.
  



• Talk about a time when you were the visible minority member of a team.
  



• Talk about a time when you have had to understand the stereotypes/misperceptions of another cultural/ethnic group.
  

Flexibility

• Please provide examples to convince me that you are able to adapt to a variety of people, situations, projects and ideas
  



• Talk to me about a situation where you had to compromise your ideas or strategies.
  



• Discuss an occasion when you have initiated a project, and were instructed to turn it over to another team member.
  

Interpersonal

• What have you done to contribute toward a team environment in your organization?
  



• Talk about a recent unpopular decision you made, and what was the result?
  



• When you are working on teams do you notice a pattern or preferred role that you portray?
  

Leadership

• Summarize a situation where you took the initiative to motivate others on sticking with a difficult assignment and achieve the goals you desired.
  



• What is the toughest group you have had to get cooperation from?
  



• Describe a time when you had a difficult time convincing others to accept your ideas? What was your approach?
  

Motivation

• Give me an example of a time you went above the call of duty.
  



• Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the action of others. How did you maintain this confidence?
  

Planning and Organization

• How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?
  



• What do you do when your schedule is suddenly interrupted? Give an example.
  



• How do you make decisions regarding delegation?
  

Policy and Process

• Give an example of a policy you conformed to but you did not agree with (internal conflict)
  



• Tell me about a time when you set an important goal and you resulted in failure? Success?
  



• Describe a situation when you have made a decision regarding a difficult hiring decision? Performance appraisal?
  

Problem Solving

• Take me through your steps (in general terms) when you are exploring a problem before making a decision.
  



• Some people are adept at identifying small problems and resolving situations before they turn into larger situations – please describe a time you have done this.
  

Reflection

• What was the most complex assignment you have had? What was your role? What did you learn? What would you do differently today?
  



• What types of situations or projects provide you with your best learning?
  

Project Management and Delegation

• Describe your decision making process when you delegate projects.
  



• Talk about a time when you have had to manage several projects/tasks at the same time to complete a project. How did you manage your time and the projects? Talk about setting priorities and/or boundaries.
  



• Give an example of an important goal you set to be completed in a short span of time – what were your results?
  

Self-Directed Learning

• Talk about having to learn something in a short amount of time? What/did you learn anything about that experience?
  



• Describe for me anything you have taught yourself?
  

Team-oriented

· Tell me about a time when you have had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a project completed.

“Tough areas to Discuss”

• Describe an experience on a team that was negative – identify what was a negative, final result. Looking back would you change anything?
  



• Talk about a time you missed a deadline? Went over budget?
  



• You mentioned you were laid off… Recall a time you worked with a group before an expected reorganization. Detail the emotions of the members. Your emotions…
  

[此贴子已经被作者于2005-1-13 16:40:06编辑过]