Samples of Competency Based Interview Questions
Communication
Definition:
Articulates ideas and instructions both written and orally; initiates communication in difficult situations or with unreceptive individuals and groups; helps to create and facilitate open communication in a team environment.
Questions:
1. Describe a situation in which you had to collect information from several people. How did you organize and filter the information you collected?
2. Give an example of a time when you were working on a project and had difficulty getting cooperation from a group outside of your team that was vital to the completion of the project. How did you go about requesting the assistance?
3. Tell me about a time when you gave a presentation where it was important to influence someone's opinion. What was the outcome?
4. Tell of a time when your active listening skills really paid off for you, maybe a time when other people missed the key idea being expressed. Were you able to communicate these details to those who may have missed them?
What to Look for in a Response:
Candidate should provide examples that display an ability to both receive and relay information effectively. Candidate should have confidence in their oral and written communication skills indicated by the ability to describe aspects of a project or process in a manner people can understand.
Cross-Cultural Agility
Definition:
Ability to successfully work with people of different cultures and backgrounds
Questions:
1. Recall the most diverse team you have worked with. How did you work together? What was your role? What major challenges did you face?
2. Describe an instance where you changed what you would normally do to accommodate the cultural or professional norms of your customer, client, or teammate. How did you know what they wanted, and why did you make the decision to change your actions?
3. What principles do you think are critical to be able to work with a global set of customers, clients, and teammates?
What to Look for in a Response:
Informs decisions with a deep understanding of the needs and norms of different cultures and backgrounds. Candidate applies cross-cultural agility in a way that will help him or her work productively with immediate colleagues of the role.