- Describe a time when the cards were stacked against you or your group completing a project on time, and you still met the deadline. …
- Describe when you didn’t meet a deadline? …
- Tell me about some goals that you have set yourself and how you went about meeting them.
What would you do if an angry and dissatisfied customer confronted you? How would you resolve their concern?
Employers ask this question to determine whether you have the conflict-resolution and communication skills required for the role. Use your response to share your ability to be empathetic and address unexpected challenges.
Example: “When I worked as a receptionist for an auto mechanic, I answered a call from a customer who was angry their vehicle wasn’t finished. I listened to the customer’s concerns and used phrases like, ‘I completely understand your frustration.’ Then, I took down their information and promised to call them back. I found the technician who’d been working on their car and learned the problem was worse than anticipated and would take several days to fix. I coordinated a loaner vehicle for the customer, and then called them back. Not only were they appreciative of my help, but they also publicly thanked us on social media.”
What would you do if you were asked to perform a task you’ve never done before?
When you’re new to a position, your manager may ask you to complete duties beyond your level of experience. Employers ask this question to understand how you leverage your problem-solving skills to learn how to do something new. Your response should detail your methods for developing a new skill.
Example: “In my last role as a marketing coordinator, my manager asked me to build and launch a digital ad campaign, which was something I’d never done before. I explained to my manager that I had no experience leading that type of project, but volunteered to do all of the work if someone more experienced could offer guidance. I met with several employees who had experience running digital ads, studied best practices and successfully launched the campaign. Thanks to that hands-on learning experience, I became the team expert on digital advertising.”
What are situational interview questions?
Because every industry and job role has a unique set of challenges and opportunities, employers must assess how well candidates are prepared to manage these circumstances before they make a hiring decision.
Situational interview questions focus on how you’ll handle real-life scenarios you may encounter in the workplace, and how you’ve handled similar situations in previous roles. Asking these questions helps employers better understand your thought process and assess your problem-solving, self-management and communication skills.
They also give you a chance to highlight how you use your professional experience, abilities and personal strengths to overcome business challenges and meet goals.
They would say that I’m straight-forward and my actions are aligned with the goals of the company. They would say that I am an open communicator and give them the tools they need to succeed.
How do you go about coaching an employee who is not performing where they need to be?
I would show them their performance history so they can see the drop in their performance. I would then ask them why it has changed. I would reaffirm my commitment to help the employee get back on track and offer actionable steps. I would ask for the employee’s input as well and draw an action plan for improvement based on this.
I make sure that there are no distractions when I am speaking to the employee. We will meet on face to face, and I will clearly state what the expectation is. I will ask if they have any questions and ask them to re-state it, so we are on the same page.
How do you motivate an employee who is reluctant to take on an additional task?
When A Management Position Opens Up
Before you start polishing your resume and applying to management roles, let’s take a step back. The leadership ranks are different from what you’ve done so far, so it’s wise to make sure you’re really ready. That means it’s time for some serious self-evaluation.
To make that easier, we’ve compiled some questions into a quick self-assessment quiz:
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- Do you consistently achieve positive results?
- Are you completing tasks quickly and efficiently?
- Do you have a history of positive interactions with your fellow employees?
- Are you effective at handling conflict professionally?
- Are you a problem solver?
- Do you take on leadership roles?
- Are you considered a mentor?
- Do others see you as a leader?
Now let’s pretend that each of these questions is a checkboxes, and every ‘yes’ gets you a green check, and every ‘no’ gets you a red x.
Do you have more green checks than red x’s?
If the answer is no, Stick with where you are and continue honing your skills, working your way toward more green checks.
If you answered yes, congratulations! It’s time to move on to the next step
FAQ
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers?
- Tell Me About Yourself. …
- Why Are You the Best Person for the Job? …
- Why Do You Want This Job? …
- How Has Your Experience Prepared You for This Role? …
- Why Are You Leaving (or Have Left) Your Job? …
- What Is Your Greatest Strength? …
- What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
Are you a self starter interview answer?
