Sample Interview Questions

Sample Behavioral Questions by Skill Area

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

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.

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 a challenge your company, class or organization was facing.

Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make within the past year.
Give me an example 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 example of a time when there was a decision to be made and procedures were not in place.

Give me an example 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.

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.

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 tough 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.

Give me an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with.
Describe a situation 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.

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.

Describe a situation that required you to do a number of things at the same time.
Give me a specific example of a 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.

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 example of a time when you were working on a project and the others disagreed with your ideas.