To assess a skill one should have a clear picture of the criteria and standards of performance

that will make the job, and limit your questions to those factors.

the categories are common job requirements and the types of questions you might use to
judge whether candidates fit those qualifications. adapt and tailor each set of questions to the
specific job description you need to fill.

a series of questions to assist you in identifying the right candidate for your position. the first
section categorizes questions around specific characteristics/abilities an individual will need
to be successful on the job.

ADAPTABILITY
 You’ve probably had this experience. You worked hard on something, only to be
told to change priorities and do it some other way. How did you handle that?

 Which supervisors have you found easiest to work with? Most difficult? Why?

 What kinds of problems have you had in switching from one job to another?

ADMINISTRATIVE/MANAGEMENT SKILLS
motivates, trains, and develops a diverse workforce and provides an environment
conducive to achievement and growth.

 What part of your work has given you the greatest feeling of achievement and
satisfaction?

 What part of your work have you found the most frustrating or unsatisfying?

 Why did you choose this particular line of work?

 What are the most important administrative responsibilities you have taken on? How
well did you like them?
3. PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
identifies and defines problems through the gathering of relevant information leading to
the development of alternative solutions.

 Have you ever recognized a problem or opportunity before anyone else?

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
takes the initiative to communicate accurate, up-to-date plans and information to
subordinates, peers, and management. expresses thoughts clearly, both verbally and in
writing. listens and understands the views of others.

 Have you ever had to get a point across to different types of people? What approach
did you take?

 Have you ever done any public speaking? How did you handle the assignment? How
did it work out?

 Describe a decision you made based largely on data you obtained by asking questions

JUDGMENT
weighs alternative courses of action and makes decisions that reflect factual information
and are based on rational and logical assumptions that take organizational resources into
consideration

 What was the best decision you ever made? What were the alternatives? How did you
go about making it?

ACHIEVEMENT ORIENTED
Identifies and accomplishes challenging objectives or personal goals.

●Tell me about the accomplishment you are most proud of and why.
●What risks were you willing to take to achieve goals you set for yourself?

●Describe your future goals and the steps you plan on taking to reach these goals.

●Explain a project you undertook on your own initiative that made a major impact on your
department?

ANALYTICAL ABILITY
reviews and analyzes a wide variety of information and recommends a specific
course of action.

●Tell me about a time you were asked to evaluate a situation and recommend a new
approach
 What factors did you take into consideration when analyzing the data?
●How do you stay attuned to new trends in your area of expertise?

CREATIVITY
develops new ideas and unique and novel solutions to problems.

 Give me an example of a unique and novel solution you had for a recent problem you
encountered in your work.

●Tell me about a time when you were creative and explored new ways of thinking.

●Describe a time when you broke away from the regimented way of thinking and
developed a creative solution.

DECISION-MAKING SKILLS
makes decisions while exibiting judgment and a realistic understanding of issues; ability
to use reason, even when dealing with emotional topics.

 What technique do you use in making decisions?

 ●Describe, in detail, a situation in which you used your training and expertise in making a
decision that required sound judgment.

●What is the most difficult business decision you have had to make?

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
establishes productive, cooperative relationships with subordinates, peers and
management. understands and responds to others’ needs and priorities. resolves conflict in
positive ways.

 Describe a difficult employee relations issue you were involved with and how you
managed it.

●Tell me about a situation where you had to demonstrate empathy or sympathy to

someone.

●Explain a time when you were sensitive to the diversity of a team or group you were
working with and how you affected the productivity of that group.

JOB MOTIVATION
maintains a high level of interest and enthusiasm for job responsibilities. has
demonstrated record of being a self-starter and self-motivated.

●What gave you the greatest feeling of achievement in your job at

_____________________?

●What makes a job interesting to you?

●What “turns off” your motivation in a job?

LEADERSHIP
uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to guide individuals or groups toward
achieving results.

 Describe a situation in which you had to gain cooperation of others outside of your
organization where you had no direct authority. What were the challenges and how
did you overcome them?

●Describe the role you usually take in a task team situation?

PRESENTATION SKILLS
expresses oneself in a clear, concise manner during individual or group situations.

 Describe your presentation style.

●What steps do you take before making a presentation? How do you prepare?
●What has been one of your most successful presentations? Why?

TEAM BUILDING/TEAM WORK

promotes cooperation within the department and in interactions with other
departments. values differences among team members and can manage work groups with
diverse influences.
What sets your work group or department apart from others in your organization?

●Tell me about a task force or project team that you were a member of and the role you
played in that group

TIME MANAGEMENT
manages a variety of responsibilities in a timely, efficient manner.

 Describe how you manage to maintain balance between accomplishing projects and
attending meetings.
●How do you handle interruptions to ensure that you complete your projects on time