6 Problem-solving, time management, negotiation, and change questions

 

One of the key skills needed for many jobs is the ability to analyze information. To determine these abilities, interviewers will ask candidates to describe past examples that highlight that skill. They do this by asking about how specific problems were handled and how that led to the desired results. Questions about decisions, both good and bad, are also used to gather this information.

Even though questions may ask about the result, interviewers are really looking to understand the steps in your thinking process. They want to know how you went about it, what you considered, and why it was important.

Most jobs have multiple goals and priorities. Candidates should be ready to share what they do to manage their time effectively to get the necessary results, especially when other departments are involved. Depending on the role, interviewers may also ask questions about negotiation and managing change.

Analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making

Describe a complex problem you solved

Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem

What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make on the job?

Describe for me your decision-making process

Time and project management

Tell me about a time when you were juggling multiple projects with overlapping deadlines, tight time frames, and conflicting priorities

Recall for me a major project you initiated and worked on through to completion. How did you proactively manage changes in project priorities, scope, and expectations?

Negotiation

Tell me about a difficult negotiation in which you were involved. What challenges arose during the negotiation, and how did you work through them?

Describe a situation that demonstrates your ability to negotiate skillfully when costs were critical

Change management

Give an example of your ability to implement change and influence people to accept that change

Describe something you instituted or changed that required collaborative planning with other departments and resulted in improved customer relationships

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with frequent changes or unexpected events on the job

Think about

Key takeaways