Appendix B - Library of Interview Questions

• Tell us about a time when you had to gain the cooperation of a difficult person. What challenges did you face? What was the outcome? What was the long-term impact on your ability to work with this person?
• Give us your best example of working cooperatively as a team member to accomplish an important goal. What was the goal or objective? What was your role in achieving this objective? To what extent did you interact with others on this project?
• Tell us about a time when your colleagues gave you feedback about your actions. How did you respond? What changes did you make?
• Describe a project you were responsible for that required a lot of interaction with people over a long period of time.
• Tell us about some of your most successful partnerships.
• How have you recognized and rewarded a team player in the past? What was the situation?
• Tell us about a course, work experience, or extracurricular activity where you had to work closely with others. How did it go? How did you overcome any difficulties?
• Describe a problem you’ve had at work when someone's help was very important to you.

• Give us a specific example of a time when you had to address an angry client. What was the problem and what was the outcome? How would you rate your success in defusing the situation?
• Give us an example of when you initiated a change in process or operations in response to client feedback.
• Tell us about a marketing promotion/initiative or information dissemination you developed. How did it meet the client’s need?

• Tell us about a suggestion you made to improve the way job processes/operations worked. What was the result?
• Tell us about one of your workplace improvements that another department now uses.
• Give us an example when you initiated a change in process or operations.
• In your last job, what problems did you identify that had previously been overlooked? Were changes made? Who supported the changes as a result of your ideas?

• Describe the most significant or creative presentation/idea that you developed/implemented.
• Describe a time when you came up with a creative solution/idea/project/report to a problem in your past work.
• Tell us about a time when you created a new process or program that was considered risky. What was the situation and what did you do?
• Give us an example of how you have been creative in fulfilling your job responsibilities.
• Describe a situation where innovation was required at work. What did you do in this situation?

• Provide examples that demonstrate that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and/or environments.
• What do you do when priorities change quickly? Give us one example of when this happened.
• Tell us about a decision you made while under a lot of pressure.
• Tell us about a specific time when you were given new information that affected a decision that you had already made.
• Give us an example of a time when there was a decision to be made and procedures were not in place. What was the outcome?
• When was the last time you felt pressure on a job? How did the situation come about? How did you react? What made you decide to handle it that way? What effect, if any, did this have on your other responsibilities?
• Describe a time when you took a new job that required a different set of skills, and how you learned to perform your new job.
• Describe a situation when a strength in one job turned out to be a weakness in another job. How did you cope?
• How would you handle a situation where deadlines and priorities change frequently and rapidly?
• Give us an example of a time when you had to quickly change project priorities. What was the outcome?
• Tell us of a time when you have had to adapt to a new process. What did you do and why?

• Describe a decision you made or a situation that you would have handled differently if you could do it again.
• When you have been made aware of, or have discovered for yourself, a problem in your work performance, what was your course of action? Can you give us an example?
• Tell us about a time when your supervisor/colleagues gave you feedback about your work/actions. What did you learn about yourself?
• What have you done to further your own professional development in the last five years?
• Tell us about a job that you had which required you to learn new things.
• Tell us about a recent learning experience. What did you learn from the job or the experience?
• Tell us about a time when you were asked to complete a difficult assignment even though the odds were against you. What did you learn from that experience?
• Discuss the highlights of your most recent educational experience. Did you accomplish any special achievements? What were your most difficult challenges?

• Describe what steps/methods you have used to define/identify a vision for your position.
• In your current or former position, what were your short and long-term goals? How long ago did you set them? Who else was involved in setting them? Which ones were achieved?
• How do you see your job relating to the overall goals of your present/previous organization?
• Tell us about a time when you anticipated the future and made changes to current responsibilities/operations to meet future needs.

• What are three effective leadership qualities you think are important? How have you demonstrated these qualities in your past/current position?
• Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to approach things your way. Who was the person you had to persuade?
• What risks did you take in your present/previous job? Tell us about it.
• Tell us about your efforts to sell a new idea to your supervisor.
• Describe a leadership situation that you would handle differently if you could do it again.
• What one experience proved to you that you would be a capable leader?
• How have you developed the skills of your team?
• Tell us about a time when you were able to provide a colleague with recognition for work performed. What did you do?
• Tell us about a time when you asked for additional responsibility.
• Tell us about a project/suggestion that you initiated. Explain how you communicated the project/suggestion.
• What have you done in your present/previous job that goes beyond what was required?

• Tell us about a time when you had to resolve a difference of opinion with a colleague/client/supervisor. How did you demonstrate respect?
• Tell us about a time when you needed to give negative feedback to a colleague. What was the outcome?
• Describe the way you handled a specific problem involving others with differing values, ideas and beliefs in your current/previous job.

• Give us a specific example of a time when you had to address an angry client. What was the problem and what was the outcome? How would you rate your success in defusing the situation?
• Tell us about the most difficult challenge you faced in trying to work cooperatively with someone who did not share your ideas. What was your role in achieving the work objective? What was the long-term impact on your ability to get things done while working with this person?
• Describe a work situation that required you to really listen and display compassion to a colleague who was telling you about a personal/sensitive situation.

• How do you go about forming relationships with your colleagues, managers, and team members?
• Give us an example of when you had to deal with a difficult person. What was the situation? What was your relationship to the individual? How did you approach the conversation? What was the end result?
• Tell us of a time when you had to present a new, untested idea to your manager. What was your approach? What was the outcome?
• Tell us about a time when you had to communicate complex information to someone who was not knowledgeable with the technical topic.
• Were you ever challenged on a decision? How did you address that opposition?
• Tell us about a time when you provided positive or unfavorable feedback to a colleague or direct report. How about developmental feedback? What did you say and how did it go?
• How do you get information you need from other colleagues?
• Tell us about a time when a colleague or employee disappointed you. How did you react?
• How do you work to ensure that commitments to you get honored?
• How do you deal with job stress?

• Tell us about a time when you had to adapt to a wide variety of people by accepting/understanding their perspectives.
• How do you further your knowledge/understanding about diversity? How have you demonstrated your learning?
• Describe a time when you gave feedback to a colleague who was unaccepting of others.
• Describe a time when a person's cultural background affected your approach to a work situation.
• How have you handled situations in which you could not understand a client’s strong accent?
• Tell us about a time that you successfully adapted to a culturally different environment.
• Tell us about a situation in which you had to separate the person from the issue when working to resolve differences. How have you taken responsibility/accountability for an action that may have been offensive to another person?
• Tell us about a time that you adapted your style in order to work effectively with those who were different from you.
• How do you handle a situation when you hear conversations between colleagues that were clearly offensive to non-participants?
• Give an example of a time when your values and beliefs impacted your relationships with your colleagues.
• Tell us about a time that you evaluated your own beliefs or opinions around issues of diversity and differences.
• Tell us about a time when you avoided forming an opinion based upon a person's outward appearance.
• How have you made your voice heard in a predominantly male or female-dominated environment?
• What measures have you taken to make someone feel comfortable in an environment where others were obviously uncomfortable with him/her?

• Tell us about a specific time when you had to handle a tough problem that challenged fairness or ethical issues.
• Tell us about a tough decision you made. What steps, thought processes, and considerations did you take to make an objective decision?

• Think of a situation where you distrusted a colleague/supervisor, resulting in tension between you. What steps did you take to improve the relationship?
• Tell us how you keep your supervisor advised of the status on your projects.
• Tell us about a time when your trustworthiness was challenged. How did you react/respond?
• Give us examples of how you have acted with integrity in a work relationship.
• Tell us about a time when you chose to trust a colleague. What was the outcome?
• Tell us about a time when you had to give the benefit of the doubt to a colleague/supervisor. What was the outcome?
• Describe a time when you took personal accountability for a conflict and initiated contact with the individual(s) involved to explain your actions. Do you feel trust levels were improved as a result?

• Provide examples that demonstrate that you can adapt to a wide variety of people.
• Give us a specific example where it was difficult to gain the cooperation of others.
• Tell us about the most difficult challenge you faced in trying to work cooperatively with someone who did not share your ideas. What was the difference in ideas? What was the outcome? What was the long-term impact on your ability to get things done working with this person?
• Tell us about a time when you felt your team was under too much pressure. What did you do about it?

• Give us an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when you felt the individual did not value your perspective.
• Tell us about a time when you and your previous supervisor disagreed but you still found a way to get your point across.
• Describe a time when you facilitated a creative solution to a problem between your colleagues.
• Tell us about a recent success you had working with an especially difficult colleague.
• Thinking of the most difficult person you have had to deal with, describe an interaction that illustrates that difficulty. Tell us about the last time you dealt with him/her.
• How did you handle the situation?
• Describe a time when you took personal accountability for a conflict and initiated contact with the individual(s) involved to explain your actions.
• Describe a serious professional conflict you have experienced; how you resolved it, and what, in retrospect you would have done differently.

• What three specific things about your last job gave you the most satisfaction? Why?
• What did you do in your last job that makes you feel proud?
• Please think back to a time when setting a positive example had the most beneficial impact on your colleagues. How did you determine that a strong example was needed? What was the effect on your colleagues?
• Describe your best boss.
• Describe your worst boss.

• What makes you really angry?
• How do you handle job stress?

• Give us a specific example of a time when you did not meet a deadline. How did you handle it?
• Describe how you have updated a project team on your progress.
• Are you better at working on many things at a time, or are you better at working on and getting results on a few specific things? Please give us two examples that illustrate this.
• Name one of your best accomplishments, including where the assignment came from, your plans in carrying it out, how you eventually did carry it out, and any obstacles you overcame.
• Of your current assignments, which do you consider to have required the greatest amount of effort with regard to planning/organization? How have you accomplished this assignment? Tell us how you handled it. How would you assess your effectiveness?
• How do you organize and track your work when you are faced with a high volume of work?
• Tell us of a time when you have had to adapt to a new process. What did you do?
• Tell us about a time when you had to deal with an unstructured work environment.
• How do you organize your work during a typical day?
• How do you determine which responsibilities are priority? What methods do you use to ensure that all priorities are met?

• Describe an instance when you had to think quickly to free yourself from a difficult situation.
• Tell us about a politically complex work situation in which you worked. How did you handle it?
• Give us a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
• Give us an example of a time when there was a decision to be made and procedures were not in place. What was the outcome?
• How do you solve problems at work?
• Tell us about a specific time when you eliminated or avoided a potential problem before it happened.
• What types of problems do you most enjoy tackling? Give us some examples of such problems you faced. What did you enjoy about them?
• What types of problems do you least enjoy tackling? Give us some examples of such problems you faced. What did you least enjoy about them?
• To whom did you turn for help the last time you had a major problem and why did you choose that person?
• Can you describe a situation where you have tried to prevent errors? What did you do? What was the outcome?
• What was/is the most difficult aspect of your previous or current position and how did/do you deal with that aspect?
• What major obstacle(s) did you face that threatened your success in your last role, or in a particular project, and how did you overcome it?

• Tell us about a decision you made that you wish you had done differently.
• Tell us about an experience in which you had a limited amount of time to make a difficult decision. What was the decision? What was the outcome/result of your decision?
• Give us an example of a time when there was a decision to be made and procedures were not in place? What was the outcome?
• Tell us about a time when you had to make an unpopular decision.
• Discuss an important decision you have made regarding work. What factors influenced your decision?
• In a current job task, what steps do you go through to ensure your decisions are effective?

• Give us an example of something you've done in previous jobs that demonstrates your willingness to work hard.
• What is the biggest error in judgment or failure you have made in a previous job? Why did you make it? How did you correct the problem?
• Tell us about a time when your manager criticized your work. How did you respond?
• Tell us about a time when you took responsibility for an error and were held personally accountable.
• Can you tell us about a time when you had to go above and beyond your regular job responsibilities? What was the situation and how were you able to accomplish this?
• What types of work do you most enjoy? Why?
• What types of work do you most avoid? Why?

• Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to approach things your way.
• Give us an example of an important goal that you had set in the past, and tell us about your success in reaching it.
• What projects were accomplished during your previous job? How were these accomplished? What experiences did you have when meeting deadlines for project completion? Explain.
• Are you better at working on many things at a time, or are you better at working on and getting results on a few specific things? Please give us two examples that illustrate this.
• What do you consider your greatest accomplishments in your current/previous position?
• Can you tell us about a time when you changed a process or procedure to make your department/organization more effective?

• Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to approach things your way. Who was the person you had to persuade?
• Tell us about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to communicate an important point.
• Give us an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have agreed with your perspective.
• Describe a time you used your communication skills to negotiate with an angry person. How did it turn out?
• Tell us about a time when you and your current/previous manager disagreed but you still found a way to communicate your point.
• Tell us about your efforts to sell a new idea to your manager.
• How do you make your feelings known when you disagree with the views of your team?
• How have you improved your oral communication skills?
• How have you improved your listening skills?
• What do you do when you think someone is not listening to you?
• Tell us about a time when effective listening skills helped you in a difficult situation.
• Give an example of how you think about your audience before communicating with them. What factors influence your communication?
• What do you consider when deciding whether to communicate in writing, or by phone, or in person?
• Have you ever given a presentation to a group? How did you prepare for it? What would you do differently?
• Describe to us a presentation you made recently. How did you approach the presentation? How did you communicate the materials?
• Describe how you update your manager regarding your progress on a project.
• Describe a time when you were able to overcome a communication barrier. What steps did you take and why?
• Can you tell us about a time when you had to communicate complex information to someone who was not knowledgeable of the topic. How did you go about this?
• Tell us about a time when you had to get clarification on a request that was vague. What did you do?
• Tell us about a time that you felt that someone in your team was not contributing enough. How did you approach them? What was the outcome of the task?

• Tell us about a time when you had to re-prioritize your work and still manage to meet all your commitments. What steps did you take?
• Tell us about a time when a major issue popped up at the end of the workday. What happened? How did you handle it?
• Tell us about a difficult decision you had to make under the pressure of an unexpected deadline. What was the situation? Why was it difficult? What was the decision? What was the outcome?
• Give us a specific example of a time when you did not meet a deadline. How did you handle it?

• Describe how your position contributes to your organization's/unit's mission and goals. What are the mission and goals?
• Tell us how you maintain current job knowledge in a changing field.

• Give us an example of an important goal that you had set in the past, and tell us about your success in reaching it.
• Tell us about a time when you had to complete multiple tasks/projects within a tight timeline.
• Tell us about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
• Give us a specific example of a time when you did not meet a deadline. How did you handle it?
• Give us two examples of things you've done in previous jobs that demonstrate your willingness to work hard.
• Describe a course, project, or work experience that was complex. What kind of follow-up did you undertake? How much time was spent on unexpected difficulties?
• Tell us about a project in which you were involved and are proud of the outcome. What was the task? What were the results? How did you face challenges?
• Tell us about a time when you were given a task and had no previous knowledge how to accomplish it. What did you do? What was the outcome?
• Tell us about a time when you had to re-prioritize your work and still manage to get everything accomplished in a timely manner. What did you do and how did you do it?
• Tell us about a time when you had to get clarification on a request that was vague.
• Tell us of a time when a major issue popped up at the end of the workday. What happened? How did you handle it?
• Tell us about a difficult decision you had to make under the pressure of an unexpected deadline. What was the situation and why was it difficult? What decision did you make and what was the outcome?

The ability to develop strong relationships is a critical component of fundraising. How do you identify “who’s who” and develop the kinds of relationships that lead to sustained giving?

• Tell us about the most challenging course you have taught and why it was challenging.
• How would you develop a course to be taught in a large setting of 800 students?
• Do you prefer to teach large classes or small classes? Why?

What’s the best way to ensure that students stay on track academically in order to graduate on time?

• Describe your experience in multi-disciplinary teaching.
• Describe your experience advising students who seek a multi-disciplinary undergraduate degree.

• Describe your experience being pro-active in preventing disruptive student behavior.
• Tell us about your most challenging experience dealing with a disruptive student in your classroom.
• What resources have you used to address a routinely disruptive student? What was the result?
• Have you ever worked in an organization where there was an incident of student violence on the campus? What happened and how did it affect you and your students?

• How have you incorporated technology in your teaching?
• How do you learn about new technology that can help you or your students?

• Describe how you initially became interested in your current research area(s).
• Describe the role of research in higher education.

• How do you build a competent, motivated research team?
• What role does non-faculty (i.e., staff) play in your research?
• How would your current/last laboratory team describe your research? (Is everyone on the same page?)
• Describe your experience in multi-disciplinary research.
• Tell us about your most challenging experience dealing with a disruptive student in your lab.

• Tell us about a time when as a manager, you were successful at getting someone to change an ineffective behavior. How did you approach it?
• Tell us about a time when you had to assemble a team for a project. How did you go about doing this and why did you choose these individuals?
• Describe a time when you had to lead a group through some major changes.
• When did you feel your leadership was most tested? What did you do as a result?
• Tell us about a time when you helped an employee advance his or her career.
• Tell us about a time when you provided positive feedback to a colleague or direct report. How about developmental feedback?
• Tell us about a time you had to give difficult performance feedback to a member of your team.
• Tell us about a situation where you had to deal with insubordination.
• Tell us about a time when you had to terminate someone’s employment.
• Tell us about a time when you felt that your team did not agree with your decisions. What did you do?
• Tell us about a time that you felt that someone in your team was not contributing enough to a task. How did you approach them? What was the outcome?
• Describe an experience explaining or giving instructions to your team.
• Describe what steps/methods you have used to define/identify a vision for your unit/position.
• If a research technician challenged one of your lab protocols, how would you respond?
• If your departmental business manager questioned one of your perfectly valid travel expenses, how would you respond?

• Give us an example of how you and your team have celebrated success in the past. What was the occasion?
• Tell us about a time when you were able to provide a colleague/employee with recognition for the work he/she performed. What did you do?
• What consistent methods do you use to ensure that team members feel valued for their contributions?

• Give us an example of a time when you helped a staff member accept change and make the necessary adjustments to move forward. How did you approach this?
• Tell us about a specific time when you had to handle a tough morale problem.
• Tell us about a time when you had to take disciplinary action with someone who reported to you.
• Tell us about a time when you had to tell a team member that you were dissatisfied with his or her work.
• Tell us about a time when you had to handle a highly emotional employee.
• Discuss a work situation in which you felt you successfully directed the work of others.
• Tell us about a time when your department was going through long-term changes or working on a long-term project. What did you do to keep people focused?
• Describe what steps/methods you have used to define/identify a vision for your unit/position.
• Tell us about a time when you had to give feedback to an employee who displayed a lack of professionalism in work relationships. What did you say? What standards did you set?
• What was the outcome?
• Tell us about a time when you needed to address an employee's attitude. What did you say to that person? What was the outcome?

• Describe how you have developed the skills of your team.
• Tell us about a specific development plan that you created and carried out with one or more of your employees. What was the specific situation? What were the components of the development plan? How long was the time frame from start to finish? What was the outcome?

• Please tell us about your most successful attempt to encourage others to take action and get the job done. What led you to take these actions? Exactly how did you encourage others to take action or responsibility? What was the result of your efforts? Did anyone comment on your actions? Who? What was said? How often have you taken this type of action in the past six months?
• Tell us about a time when you needed to have colleagues working on a project who normally have different work styles/ideas. How did you pull them together?

• Tell us about a time when you were responsible for hiring and orienting a new employee. What did you do to help them adjust?
• Tell us about a time when your department was going through long-term changes or working on a long-term project. What did you do to keep people focused?
• Give us an example of a time when you helped a staff member accept change and make the necessary adjustments to move forward.

• Tell us about a time when you needed to delegate parts of a large assignment. How did you decide to assign the work? What problems occurred? What was the outcome?
• Give us a specific example of how you have empowered your team to make independent decisions.
• Tell us about the expectations you create for your team. What are they? What factors do you consider in setting/communicating expectations?

• How do you define diversity on the work place?
• Give us a specific example of how you have helped create an environment where differences are valued, encouraged and supported.
• How do you support diversity in your unit?
• Tell us about the specific talents and contributions of your team and how you have utilized these qualities to increase individual and team effectiveness.
• Describe a time when you gave feedback to an employee who was unaccepting of others?
• Tell us about a time when you witnessed someone intimidating or harassing another person. What did you do? In retrospect, what might you have done differently?
• Tell us about your experience supporting a diverse student body. Why does this matter? How does one demonstrate commitment?
• How do you ensure that your curriculum is relevant to students with varied experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, and abilities?