Example Interview Questions: Competency/Behavioural

Example
Interview Questions
Competency/Behavioural
Typical competencies assessed: teamwork, analytical skills, communication, leadership, flexibility, creativity,
integrity, commercial ability, time management, resilience
• Can you give me an example of when you were part of a team and helped deliver a successful outcome?
• Describe a time when you analysed a situation and how you went about improving it?
• Take me through an occasion you explained something complicated to someone.
• Talk me through how you achieved a goal that you set yourself.
• Tell me when you have had to adapt your approach to accommodate other people.
• Describe a time when you stood up for something you believed was wrong; pointed out an error
someone had made.
• Tell me about a time you came up with a creative solution to a problem.
• Describe a situation when you persuaded someone to do something they didn’t want to do.
• When have you faced a particularly difficult situation and how did you respond?
Motivation
Can relate directly to a particular role/organisation, the bigger picture motivating the choices made, or more
general energy and motivation levels; interested in how you approach decisions, whether your choices fit an
overall goal and what kind of energy you are likely to bring to the position:
• Why do you want to work for this organisation?

• Why have you applied for this role?
• How does this position fit with your longer-term aspirations?
• Why do you want to work in this sector?
• What are the main challenges facing the business?
• Talk me through a recent news story you found interesting - what impact might it have on our work?
• What do you do in your spare time?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Why or how did you choose this particular degree/university?
Situational
What would you do if; can be useful to back your theoretical answer up with an example from actual experience:
• You had completed a piece of quantitative research, the client had gone public based on the data and
you find an error in your calculations?
• You were aware that a colleague had lied about work they had done?
• You were asked to write a report on a topic you knew nothing about?
• You had to run a project to a tight deadline?
• You had to complete several key projects at the same time and were asked to take on another
responsibility?
Strength based
• What are you good at?
• What comes easily to you?
• What do you learn quickly? What did you find easiest to learn at school or university?
• What subjects do you most enjoy studying?
• What things give you energy?
• Describe a successful day you have had.
• When did you achieve something you were really proud of?
• What things are always left on your to-do list and not finished?
• What would you like to be known for?
• What do you do in your spare time?
LSECareers/Sep 2020 1
Example Interview Questions
Commercial awareness
Can be treated as a competency or a separate element; can relate to business or have more personal focus. Will
be contextually relevant:
• How do you think the rise in the oil price will affect our client’s business?
• What are the key challenges facing our business?
• What will be the short and long term effect Brexit/the pandemic on the British economy?
• Which story in the financial press has caught your interest recently? What is your opinion? What advice
would you give?
• When have you had to change plans because of financial constraints?
Value based
• Give me an example of a time you were particularly perceptive regarding a colleague or a client’s feelings
and needs.
• Tell me about a time it was critical that you establish an effective working relationship.
• Why does our organisation appeal to you?
• What are your core values?
• What parts of the job would you find most/least enjoyable?
• Describe a time when you disagreed with your team’s agreed course of action.
• When have you recognised a need to improve quality in your team’s work?
• Give an example of a time you have learned from feedback?
Typical questions
• Tell me about a project/essay you have worked on, and what you learnt from it?
• What are the three key strengths you will bring to the role?
• What do you expect to do each day?
• What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
• What will be your biggest challenge if we offer you the role?
• Talk me through your CV.
Some questions you can ask

• How would you describe the company culture?
• Can you describe a project you have been working on recently – particular challenges?
• What is the most challenging thing faced by your team at the moment?
• What is your management style?
• What is a typical day/wee for this role?
• What do you think would be the biggest challenge for me if I join?
• What is the main thing you enjoy about working here?
• Anything that has been brought t up during the day/interview and shows you were paying attention
• What is typical career trajectory?
• What do you wish you had known about role/organisation before joining?
• How does organisation culture compare with other ‘similar’ organisations – particularly if you refer to
something you have been able to find out about them; From speaking with x I learned that you have a
very collaborative culture – how does that manifest itself on an everyday basis?
Some questions not to ask?

• Anything you should have been able to find out from website/basic research
• Salary/benefits/working conditions
• Personal questions about interviewer’s background
• How quickly you will be promoted
LSECareers/Sep 2020 2

Example Interview Questions: Competency/Behavioural

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Example Interview Questions: Competency/Behavioural

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• Why do you want to work for this organisation?

Some questions you can ask

Some questions not to ask?

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