Sample Competency-Based Behavioral Interview Questions
Competencies are knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAO’s) that contribute
to individual success in the organization; they focus on “how” things get done. Competencies
help drive individual and organizational performance. UGA’s core competencies apply to all
staff employees and include Integrity, Communication, Learning, Decision Making,
and Service. These core competencies have been identified as critical for all levels of staff
employees to demonstrate on a consistent basis for individual and organizational success. Two
additional competencies have been identified as critical for staff in supervisory and/or
organizational leadership roles. These include Supervision and Innovation.
Competency-based questions should be combined with job function specific and skills related
questions to ensure the most comprehensive interview experience for both the candidate and
committee/hiring authority. It is considered a best practice to ask at least one question related
to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in each interview round. See the Interviewer
Inquiry Guide for guidance on permissible/impermissible inquiries.
Core Competency
Sample Questions
Acts with Integrity
• Trust & Respect
• Utilization of
University
Resources
• Work Ethic
•
Describe a time when you saw a problem and took the initiative to
correct it rather than waiting for someone else to address it.
• Tell me about a time when you volunteered to take responsibility for
a project or an activity. What was the result?
• How would you define professionalism?
• Tell me about a time you were honest, despite a potential downside
for the honesty.
• Describe a time you had to develop trust among colleagues, staff or
other stakeholders.
• What does it mean to you to be a good steward of resources?
Communicates
Effectively
• Active Listening
• Conflict
Management
• Verbal/Written
Communication
• Describe a time you had to adjust your communication style to your
audience. What specifically did you do, and how did you determine
it was effective?
• We have all been in situations where we have run into conflict with a
team member. Give me an example of how you have handled such a
situation.
• What steps have you taken to resolve a situation where there was
a
c
ommunication breakdown between you and a colleague?
• How would you go about simplifying a complex issue in order t
o
e
xplain it to a colleague or other stakeholder?
• Describe a situation when you were able to strengthen a relationship
by communicating effectively. What was it that made your
communication so effective?
Learns & Shares
• Finding &
Applying
Knowledge
• Learning Agility
• Sharing &
Contributing
• University
Knowledge
•
What does it mean to you to be a lifelong learner? How do you
demonstrate this at work?
• Describe a time when you put your needs aside to help a colleague
understand a task. How did you assist them? What was the result?
• Tell us about your most impactful professional contribution to a
team.
• How do you keep your job knowledge current with ongoing industry
changes?
• What professional development opportunities have you sought out
in the past? How have you applied these to improve in your role?
Makes Sound
Decisions
• Critical
Thinking
• Judgment &
Decision
Making
• Process
Improvement
•
Tell me about a process you developed at work in order to get things
done more efficiently. How did you develop it? What results have
you seen?
• Describe a time when you had to convince your supervisor or team
to use an alternative approach to solve a problem.
• Tell me about a recent decision you made. What criteria did you use
in making that decision? What kinds of time frames did you have to
consider?
• Give an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in
coming to a decision. What was the situation, the impact, and the
outcome?
• How do you involve your manager and/or others when you make a
decision?
Serves Others
• Cooperation &
Teamwork
• Service
Orientation
•
Describe a positive and professional relationship you have had with
a colleague. Why did you work well with this person? What
challenges did you encounter?
• In what ways have collaborative relationships improved your
performance at work? Describe a time that collaboration with others
yielded a better outcome.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to
relationship management?
• Describe a team experience you found rewarding. What made it
successful?
• Tell me about a time you received critical feedback from a colleague.
What was the situation and how did you respond?
Leadership
Competency
Sample Questions
Champions
Innovation
• Change
Management
• Innovation
• Tell me about your proudest professional accomplishment.
• Tell me about a time when you adjusted your work activity and
desired outcomes based on changes in organizational strategy.
• Tell me about a time when you used different resources or
perspectives to come up with new ideas or approaches.
• Describe a time when you had to reallocate resources, time, and
effort because of a shift in priorities.
• Tell me how you go about encouraging new ideas in others.
Supervises others
• Coaching &
Delegation of
Work
• Performance
Management
• Staff
Development
• Staff Morale
•
How do you go about setting goals and objectives for yourself/your
team?
• Give me an example of a time you helped an employee improve their
performance by giving them feedback.
• How do you handle an employee whose work is not up to
expectations? Give a specific example.
• Describe a situation where you helped motivate someone to improve
their performance. What was the outcome?
• How would you describe your leadership style?
• Tell me about a time when you recognized or rewarded an individual
or group for their achievements and contributions to the
organization.
Inclusive
Excellence
Sample Questions
Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, &
Belonging
•
Describe how you would work to create a work environment that is
welcoming, inclusive, and increasingly diverse.
• How have you demonstrated a commitment to diversity & inclusion
in your professional life?
• When interacting with someone from a different culture than your
own, how do you ensure that communication is effective?
• Describe how your career has been enhanced by exposure to diverse
people, places, or experiences. Please provide an example.
• Give a specific example of how you have helped create an
environment where differences are valued, encouraged and
supported.
This list of questions is not exhaustive, and is intended to serve as a general guide. For more
assistance curating interview questions, reach out to Kathryn Kay, Director for Talent
Management in the Division of Student Affairs.
