Quintessential Careers Press:
The Quintessential Guide to Behavioral Interviewing
Chapter 5: Sample Behavioral Questions and Responses
Page 29
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Knowing what kinds of questions might be asked will help you prepare an effective selection of stories/examples. Given the immense variety of possible questions that can be asked in a behavioral interview, it’s impossible here to list every question you might encounter. But through this large collection of samples, you’ll get a good feel for what behavioral questions are like and see the effective ways that job candidates have responded to them.
Give me an example of a time when you set a goal for yourself and successfully pursued it.
I feel very strongly that an orientation program is critical to employee success and the success of an organization. My goal was to implement an effective program across the company. I recognize that some goals can take time, so I have implemented the program over several years. The first step was to design an orientation session with the regional vice president. The second step was designing and implementing orientation protocols for each employee group for supervisors’ use, which have been very positively received by department administrators. The third step was designing a six-week orientation program for administration staff and modeling this program company-wide. This program has earned very positive feedback and ensures that supervisors provide a detailed orientation and that opportunities to connect with key constituencies are provided early on. I refined the orientation sessions, and I combined supervisor and staff orientations – which oriented employees to the company’s history, mission, values and services – in 2004 for the most successful and well-attended session yet. The program has also fostered interdisciplinary, inter-departmental connections.
I had a long-term goal to become an excellent program manager. I applied myself in developmental positions and learned the ins and outs of the organization from the bottom up. I got to know the staff and managers well. I volunteered for projects and to enhance and streamline the existing workflow. In doing so, I had an opportunity to apply for a temporary management position and obtained it. Through four years in this acting position, I strived to continuously learn and improve processes and policies. I have brought forward many success stories that have been recognized by the corporation and have earned several awards for these achievements.
My first few years in banking had me on the fast track to branch management. I realized at some point along the way that my true passion was in offering financial advice not limited to checking accounts and loans. It was at that point that I made arrangements to go back to school full-time to pursue my goal, which I am just about to achieve.
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