Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes Interview Questions

The ability to exchange information and ideas with other people through speech, active listening, and non-verbal cues.

Interview Question: Please describe a time when you had to actively listen to someone else. Why is active listening important and how did you show them that you were actively listening?

Rubric: Describe understanding of active listening. Demonstrates understanding of importance of active listening. Identify at least three markers of active listening.

The ability to find, interpret, evaluate, use, and create images and visual media.

Interview Question: What do you think are important things to consider when creating marketing materials that are not only visually appealing but are appropriate for a wide audience? Can you provide an example of when you have done this before?

Rubric: Explains their definition of effective visual communication. Demonstrates understanding of accessibility in a communication context. Provides clear example of when they have done this previously.

The ability to communicate information and ideas through written or typed text.

Interview Question: How would you go about breaking a complex task into instructions for someone else on your team? Please provide an example of when you have done this previously.

Rubric: Explains how to create clear instructions through prioritization. Demonstrates understanding of written communication. Provides clear example of when they have done this previously.

The ability to imagine and devise new ways of addressing problems, answering questions, or expressing meaning through the application, synthesis, or repurposing of knowledge.

Interview Question: Based on your understanding of the role, if you were given the opportunity to make any change to the [programs/projects/services] this role is involved, with what would you change and why?

Rubric: Identifies a potential change. Demonstrates understanding of the role. Provides explanation for the change. Demonstrates ability to identify a new creative or innovative approach.

The ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate situations, ideas and information.

Interview Question: Imagine that you and your teammates disagree on how to approach a task. How would you go about finding a solution? What have you done in the past when a disagreement occurred?

Rubric: Clearly describes their approach to finding a solution. Considers different factors involved in this situation. Identifies specific solution.

The ability to integrate and apply relevant information from a variety of sources into new or broader contexts.

Interview Question: If you were successful in being selected for this role, what is one way that you would translate your existing interests or knowledge into your work?

Rubric: Identifies related interests/knowledge. Demonstrates clear understanding of the role. Connects existing interest/knowledge with the role.

The ability to assess, prioritize, and evaluate potential solutions to problems by asking relevant questions, identifying root causes, and gathering facts.

Interview Question: Tell me about a time when you had to come up with a creative solution to a problem. What was the problem, how did you identify a solution, and is there anything you would do differently in the future?

Rubric: Provides context about the problem that needed solving. Explains how they evaluated possible solutions. Articulates what did/did not go well with the result. Demonstrates ability to identify and enact possible solutions to problems.

The ability to identify sources of conflict and take steps to minimize or overcome disharmony.

Interview Question: Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a coworker or group project member. What steps did you follow to resolve this disagreement?

Rubric: Identifies steps for resolving a disagreement. Focuses on finding a mutual resolution to disagreement. Emphasizes importance of maintaining a positive workplace relationship. Demonstrates understanding of differing perspectives.

The ability to direct, guide, and motivate others to accomplish a common goal or purpose.

Interview Question: Imagine taking the lead on a group project or a collaborative task. How would you go about motivating others to accomplish a common goal? What values would guide your approach?

Rubric: Describes a plan for motivating a group towards a common goal. Pays consideration to different strengths and interests among a group. Identifies the values that would guide them as a leader.

The ability to communicate, interrelate, and function well in diverse social and cultural settings.

Interview Question: Imagine that you are approached by a team member who lets you know that you used a term that was not inclusive and carries a problematic meaning that you were unaware of. How would you respond?

Rubric: Describes how they would respond. Acknowledges the harm caused by using the term. Demonstrates willingness to learn and do better in the future.

The ability to contribute to the shared purpose of a group, network or partnership through a commitment to sharing power, resources, expertise, and perspectives.

Interview Question: Tell me about a time where you worked with a team to successfully complete a project. This could be a school project, volunteer experience, or work experience. What was your specific role, and what did you learn about teamwork from this experience?

Rubric: Provides clear example of a teamwork scenario. Explains their individual their role on the team and how they contributed. Articulates what they gained from this experience. Demonstrates ability to work well with others in a professional and positive manner.

The ability to make timely decisions based on thorough assessment of short- and long-term effects, recognizing political and ethical implications on those affected.

Interview Question: Tell me about a difficult decision you have had to make. This could come from personal experience, a job, or school project. What factors impacted your decision, and how did you evaluate which option to choose? Reflecting today on that decision, do you feel this was the right choice?

Rubric: Identifies a clear process for decision making. Defines factors that impacted the different options. Reflects on impact of decision and considers potential ethical implications.

The ability to locate, select, organize, and document information from a variety of sources using appropriate technology and information systems.

Interview Question: Tell me about the steps you take when writing a research paper. How do you organize information to ensure everything is properly referenced and is from a credible source? What tools or strategies do you use?

Rubric: Identifies relevant tools and showcases organizational skills. Demonstrates evidence of critical thinking when evaluating sources. Provides specific example to support these skills.

The ability to establish tasks and allocate resources to meet objectives, monitor progress, and revise plans to reflect new information.

Interview Question: Tell us about a time that you had to break down a larger project into smaller tasks. How did you break up the project, set timelines, and ensure that all tasks were completed? This can be an example from school, work, or volunteering.

Rubric: Identifies how project was broken down into tasks. Articulates how they set appropriate timelines to ensure project completion. Describes how they monitored completion. Demonstrates ability to navigate multiple tasks to complete a project.

The ability to manage several tasks at once, being able to set priorities and allocate time efficiently to meet deadlines.

Interview Question: If you were asked to complete a list of tasks in this role all due on the same date, how would you go about choosing which task to complete first? How would you ensure that all tasks are completed?

Rubric: Articulates their process for prioritizing tasks. Demonstrates good judgement with prioritization based on several factors (ie. urgency, who is involved, who benefits from task). Describes how they would manage their time to ensure tasks are all completed.