Department of Human Resources

INTERVIEWS

SAMPLE SELECTION CRITERIA AND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

PROBLEM SOLVING

ABLE TO IDENTIFY and DEFINE problem-causing factors

ABLE TO COLLECT and ANALYZE pertinent INFORMATION

ABLE TO DEVELOP and EVALUATE possible solutions

ABLE TO DETERMINE the IMPACT of proposed solutions

ABLE TO IMPLEMENT problem-solving decisions and FOLLOW UP on results

Sample Interview Questions

Explain a difficult work problem you have had to resolve and how you handled it.

What is your approach to problem solving? What steps do you follow?

Of what value are techniques such as quality circles, brainstorming, and suggestion boxes?

How do you convince others that your proposed solution is the best one?

Do you consider yourself to be innovative in problem solving? Why?

How do you determine the problems that require immediate attention in this kind of work?

Are you better at solving problems involving people or things?

Would you rather seek the advice of others or resolve a problem yourself?

Tell me of any preventive measures you might take to reduce the possibility of problems arising.

(Give the applicant a hypothetical work problem, and ask how s/he would go about solving it.)