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Most job descriptions that you will apply for have some kind of skill requirements that will be expected. There are some common skillsets that are required, such as oral communication and problem solving that you can prepare for rather than be taken off guard when asked to share an example. Below are some of the common questions based on 6 important skillsets.

Practice answering these questions prior to your interview to really impress the interviewer.

 Oral Communication

Purpose of questions: To determine your ability to clearly present information orally and/or influence others.

Questions:

• Has there been a time when you had to get a new idea accepted by a team or an audience?
• What has been your experiences in making formal recommendations and oral reports to management?
• What has been your experience in dealing with poor performance of subordinates? Give an example.
• Describe the toughest communicative situation you have had to deal with.

Organization and Planning

Purpose of questions: To determine your ability to define specific goals and objectives and develop action plans which lead to goal attainment.

Questions:

• Describe how you schedule your time on an unusually hectic day. Give a specific example.
• What important goals have you set in the past, and how successful have you been in working toward their accomplishment?
• Have you worked in a situation in which there were constant surprises or unanticipated events coming to your attention? How did you deal with them?

 Problem Solving

Purpose of questions: To determine if you are able to take action in solving problems. Can you identify important dimensions of a problem, determine causes, obtain relevant information, and specify alternate solutions?

Questions:

• Describe a major work problem which you have faced, and describe your method of dealing with it.
• Would you describe yourself as being more logical or intuitive in solving problems? Give me an example that shows your style.
• What is the toughest decision you have had to make with regard to a subordinate that you personally liked?
• Tell me about a situation in which you feel that you have been part of the problem. What did you do?

Leadership

Purpose of questions: To determine if you are able to influence the actions and opinions of others in a desired direction.

Questions:

• Briefly review the leadership experience you have had, give examples that would show what your leadership style is like.
• Describe how you delegate responsibility in your current job.
• Have you ever had to take over a leadership role unexpectedly? How did it work out?
• Which of your strengths contributes most to your leadership ability? Can you think of a time when without that strength you would have failed as a leader?

 Creativity

Objective of questions: To determine if you are able to develop unique and novel solutions to problems?

Questions:

• Are you the type of person who likes to “try new things,” or “develop consistent routines?” Give an example.
• What do you have to do that you consider to be your biggest time-waster at work? How would you change it if you could?
• What would you regard as being the most creative activity you have engaged in? Did it bring you recognition, financial reward, or personal satisfaction?
• What would you say has been the most creative accomplishment in your last position? Be specific.

Tolerance of Ambiguity

Objective of questions: To determine if you are able to deal with unresolved situations.

Questions:

• Describe a situation in which you needed to make a decision even though you did not have all of the important information.
• Do you prefer to have a job in which you have well laid-out tasks and responsibilities, or one in which your work changes on a frequent basis?
• Sometimes it is very important to take a “wait and see” attitude on the job. When have you found yourself in this position? What did you do?
• Some people like rewards immediately. Others are willing to wait a long time for something really worthwhile. Which are you more like? Give me an example.

If you need more assistance preparing for your next interview, connect with us at Peak Demand: www.inpeakdemand.com.