Personnel Selection: Interview Questions: Goals

Past Goals

How are your present goals different from those of ten years ago?
How did you have an impact on your company's goals?
How did you choose your career?
How did you decide on this profession?
How has working for your employer changed your goals?
How did you choose your last employer?

Future Goals

What are your short term and long term career goals? How are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
What are your short-term and long-term objectives?
What are your long range career objectives? How will you achieve them?
What are your short-term and long-range goals and objectives and how have you prepared yourself to achieve them?
What do you want to be doing five years from now?
What are your long term goals?
What do you see yourself doing five years from now, 10 years?
What are goals you would like to accomplish in the next year?
What are your long range career goals?
Where do you see yourself next year?
What would you like to be doing in two years?
What are your long range career objectives?
If you get hired, what do you think you will be five years from now?
What are your long range and short range goals and objectives, when and why did you establish these goals and how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
What do you hope to be doing five years from now?
Where do you see yourself five years from now? Ten?
What goals do you want to achieve within the next five years?
What are your short-term career goals?
What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
How, on a long-term basis, do you plan to achieve your goals?
What would you like to be doing in five years? Ten years?
What are your personal five-year goals?
What are your personal long-term goals?
Tell me about your most important long-term goals.

Creates Goals

Describe how you would establish and document goals and objectives.
Did you actively participate in the establishment of smart goals?
How do you create goals are aligned with the broader vision and mission of the organization?
How do you establish goals that were tailored to the specific context and requirements of each situation and task?
How can you create situational and task-specific goals that help to provide clear direction and purpose?
In your previous position, have you established goals that were both attainable and ambitious?
Did you create several short-term goals to achieve quick wins, while also setting longer-term goals based on evolving strengths and achievements?
Give an example of how you contributed to establishing personal goals.
Share an example from your previous position, in which you created clear goals that allowed for better prioritization, resource allocation, and tracking of progress.
Describe how you would establish goals that guide towards continuous growth and improvement.
In your previous position, did you create goals that were specific, measurable, and time-bound, ensuring that progress could be tracked and evaluated effectively?
Do you initiate each coaching session by establishing the goals to be achieved?
How do you create goals that are situationally and task specific?
How did you create goals based on the specific needs and challenges of each task or project?

Defining Goals

When could you define goals on a path of ongoing improvement?
How can you define goals that are directly relevant to the specific scenario so that individuals and teams can focus their efforts more effectively and efficiently?
Are you involved in the defining of objectives.
Did you define goals to reduce operational costs and measured attainment by comparing current to previous expenses?
How did you actively participate in defining and setting goals/objectives, ensuring that a variety of input and perspectives were considered?
Describe how you would define clear and specific goals.
Do you begin each coaching session with a determination of what goals should be achieved?

Sets Goals

Do you set goals that ensure all actions contribute to the company's progress and success?
Do you participate in the setting of departmental goals?
Did you help to set goals for the organization?
Explain how you would set up team or group goals, as well as individual goals.
Have you set short and long term goals for yourself without being pushed?
Share an example from your previous position, in which you set high expectations and goals and encouraged others to support the organization.
In your previous position, did you set goals for yourself professionally?
In your previous position, did you participate in the setting of your own goals?
Give an example of how you took an active role in setting of goals.
Have you set clear objectives and maintained focus on the end results?
Give an example of how you set objectives that pushed boundaries yet remained achievable to foster growth and motivation.
How would you set challenging stretch goals?
How do you set clear priorities, create a distraction-free environment, and employ effective time management strategies to achieve goals?
Do you set goals relevant to the situation to help teams focus their efforts?

Prioritizes and Aligns Goals

How do you communicate to staff the importance of each goal letting them know of the priorities?
Share an example from your previous position, in which you performed a risk assessment to identify potential obstacles which changed the priority of certain goals.
Give an example of how you would clearly convey to staff the significance of each goal, emphasizing their priorities.
How do you prioritize tasks and delegate when necessary to efficiently allocate time, resources and efforts to the completion of goals?
Did you ensure that each smaller objective (goals) served as a stepping stone towards achieving broader, strategic targets?
Do you make sure that daily activities contribute meaningfully to the company's long-term goals? Give examples.
How would you evaluate the availability of resources, including time, money, equipment, and personnel, to establish the priority of goals?
How would you manage priorities and delegate work to efficiently complete goals?

Aspirational Goals

In your previous position, have you set goals to improve performance metrics and measures?
Do you set goals to improve performance metrics and regularly track progress?
Have you avoided setting goals solely based on past achievements and instead sets goals inspired by future possibilities?
Do you set goals that are both realistic and challenging to achieve?
Give an example of how you would clearly define challenging but attainable goals.
Did you clearly articulate ambitious goals that are within reach?
What are other goals you wish to achieve?
What are financial goals you would like to accomplish?
What are some things you would like to accomplish in life?
What types of goals are you most anxious to accomplish?

Understands Goals

How would you make sure that I have a clear idea of our group's goals?
When could you make sure that team members have a clear idea of our group's goals?
If you are assigned goals, how would you become aware of the objectives and intentions that these goals are to achieve?
How would you make sure that I understand our group's goals?
Do you understand how personal goals are aligned with the broader vision and mission of the organization?
In your previous position, have you understood the reasons for assigned goals?
Did you understand and contribute to development of strategic goals?
How did you understand the rationale behind the goals assigned?
Do you recognize the unique strengths and needs of each individual to create an environment that optimizes the achievement of shared goals?

Strategic Goals

Do you strategically align goals to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty by understanding customer needs and expectations?
Describe how you would set strategic goals for expanding into new geographical markets.
Have you aligned immediate tasks with long-term aspirations to maintain a focused and cohesive overall effort?
Did you establish strategic goals that focused on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent to build a strong, capable workforce?
Describe how you would strategically allocate and optimize resources to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in achieving goals.
How would you strategically position the company effectively in the market by setting goals?
Can you systematically follow a structured plan so that progress is consistently monitored and adjustments are made as necessary.
Describe how you would strategically plan activities, resources, and personnel to ensure that progress is made on all current goals.
In your previous position, have you sought projects in areas outside immediate responsibilities?
Did you perform a SWOT analysis (analyzing other companies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to help determine strategic goal-setting?
In your previous position, have you set strategic goals that prioritized innovation and research and development?
How can you develop multiple scenarios and strategies to prepare for various future possibilities and ensures that goals are adaptable to changing circumstances?
Give an example of how you would be able to say "no" when necessary to effectively execute business strategy and meet long-term objectives.

Optimizes Goals

Describe how you would take into account the nuances and intricacies of the situation, ensuring that goals are realistic, attainable, and aligned with the desired outcomes.
In your previous position, how did you consider the unique circumstances, challenges, and objectives associated with each particular task or project when creating/assigning a goal?
How do you connect shorter task specific goals to longer term performance goals?
Give an example of how you envisioned the optimal future state and mapped out the steps required to achieve it?
How would you take into account the unique circumstances, challenges, and objectives associated with each specific task or project when creating or assigning a goal?
In your previous position, give examples of when you recognized each person's strengths and needs to foster a collaborative environment for achieving shared goals.

Committed

In your previous position, did you focus on actions that actively contributed to achieving the goal?
Have you served as a committed partner to significantly enhance the probability of achieving objectives?
Did you fully back the objectives assigned to subordinates?
How do you keep the momentum going working toward goals?
Explain how you are committed to supporting and achieving assigned goals.
Share an example from your previous position, in which you demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting the achievement of assigned goals.
Give an example of how you would encourage a disciplined work ethic for steady progress and timely goal achievement.
Do you foster a disciplined work ethic, allowing for steady progress and the achievement of goals within the designated time frame?

Understands Metrics

Did you know how achievements were assessed in relation to the position's goals?
Did you possess a clear understanding of the evaluation criteria used to measure performance against the established goals for the position?
Are you aware of the criteria used to evaluate performance relative to goals?
Did you understand how performance was measured against goals for the position?
How do you know the specific metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and benchmarks that are used to assess progress and success?

Creating Measures

When would you establish baseline measurements of KPIs to compare against progress toward goals?
Give an example of how you are aware of how performance is monitored and evaluated to more effectively align efforts with desired outcomes.
Give an example of how you established criteria for measuring goal attainment?
Do you define specific performance targets to measure goal attainment?
Have you created or use existing tools to collect and analyze data from sources such as surveys, financial reports, or log files?
In your previous position, did you determined the critical metrics that indicated progress toward goals?

Performance Metrics

Did you measure progress using metrics like tasks completed, milestones achieved, or hourly output?
Describe how you would consistently track progress to ensure the goal remains on course.
How do you monitor progress regularly to assess that the goal is still on track?
How can you track quarterly and annual performance figures?
Do you measure and evaluate performance as related to business/customer needs?
Give an example of how you would regularly track progress on meeting performance goals.
How would you use metrics such as the number of tasks completed, project milestones achieved, or output produced per hour to measure progress?
In your previous position, have you followed a structured plan to consistently monitor progress and make necessary adjustments?

Sets Timelines

Describe how you would establish specific dates by which tasks or milestones must be completed.
Do you recognize that some tasks depend on the completion of other tasks and schedules them accordingly? Give examples.
Do you establish realistic deadlines for goal completion?
Give an example of how you broke down larger goals into smaller, manageable milestones with their own timelines?
Describe how you would monitor the completion of tasks and milestones against the timeline.
How did you allocate time and resources for when each task should be started and finished?
Explain how you would set realistic dates for the completion of goals.

Adheres to Timeline

Explain how you would stick to deadlines for reaching objectives.
How would you successfully meet deadlines for achieving goals?
Do you adhere to deadlines for the accomplishment of goals?
Do you ensure that all tasks and milestones are completed within the designated time frame?
Did you comply with timelines for goal attainment? Explain.
Share an example from your previous position, in which you adhered to established schedules and timelines to effectively achieve goals.
Did you maintain a clear overview of each goal's requirements and deadlines?
Describe how you would follow schedules to achieve goals.

Avoids Distractions

How do you maintain focus and avoid disruptions to achieve goals?
Give an example of how you would say "no" to goals that would detract from the organization's objectives.
How do you avoid unproductive actions that do not advance the achievement of goals?
Have you stayed on task and steered clear of distractions to reach objectives?
Can you stay focused on important goals by saying "no" to less important goals and requests?
In your previous position, did you avoid actions that did not contribute to the achievement of goals?
How do you remain focused and avoid interruptions to accomplish goals?
Do you maintain unwavering focus on tasks and deliberately minimize interruptions to ensure the successful accomplishment of goals?
Do you consistently stay on course and avoid distractions?
How do you are able to stay focused and avoid distractions that would disrupt the attainment of a goal?

Multiple Goals

Give an example of how you achieved the completion of multiple goals through a combination of strategic planning, adaptability, and effective time management.
Did you effectively manage the pursuit of multiple goals at the same time by skillfully balancing priorities, resources, and time?
How do you develop strong organizational and time management skills allowing for the completion of a variety of goals?
Explain how you would are able to pursue multiple goals simultaneously.
In your previous position, have you established a clear link between shorter, task-specific goals and overarching, long-term performance goals?

Supports Others

Describe how you would actively motivate and inspire coworkers to work towards and achieve team goals.
How can you aid colleagues in achieving their performance metrics?
When could you encourage coworkers to attain team goals?
Do you support peers/others in accomplishing common goals?
Explain how you would actively support the goals set for team members.
Give an example of how you are a dedicated supporter to enhance the likelihood of goal attainment.
Describe how you would actively support and encourage the achievement of others' goals by providing guidance, resources, and constructive feedback.
Give an example of how you encouraged coworkers to attain departmental goals.
In your previous position, did you assist team members in reaching their objectives?
Share an example from your previous position, in which you encouraged and assisted employees in achieving their goals.
How did you help facilitate the success of others' goals?

Completion of Goals

Did you achieve established goals?
Explain how you would aid and facilitate attainment of departmental goals.
Are you successful in completing a diverse set of goals?
Share an example from your previous position, in which you demonstrated a track record of successfully accomplishing a wide range of goals, spanning various areas and disciplines.
Did you achieve stretch goals?
When could you achieve goals?
What are some things you had planned but were unable to accomplish?
What are goals you would like to accomplish in your current job?
What are goals you would like to accomplish with your current employer?
What are goals you would like to accomplish in working with other people?
What goals have you accomplished recently?
How did you reach goals you have set so far?

Flexibility

Do you tailor goals to the particular needs and conditions of the situation?
Have you refined and further defined goals as additional information and details became available? Give examples.
How do you adjust goals according to the progress of employees?
Explain how you would may revise or modify clearly defined goals if they are deemed incorrect or unsuitable once the situation is fully understood.

Provides Resources

Give an example of how you provided support to help subordinates reach their objectives?
Have you provided the necessary resources and guidance for employees to achieve their goals?
Describe how you would actively provide the necessary resources, guidance, and encouragement to help ensure success of the goals.
How would you provide constructive feedback and offer assistance when needed to help the team achieve its goals?
Describe how you would foster a collaborative and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best efforts.

Short-term Goals

What would you like to be making in 3 to 5 years?
What are your short-term goals?
What do you plan to do in the coming year?
What are your goals for the next year?
What are your goals for the rest of this year?
What are your goals and your plans for reaching them?
What are your personal short-term goals?
How did you set goals for next year?
How, on a short-term basis, do you plan to achieve your goals?
Did you set goals for next year?

Provides Feedback

In your previous position, have you conducted timely follow-up; kept others informed on a need to know basis?
When would you give helpful feedback and lend support to coworkers in reaching their goals?
Have you offered encouragement, remove obstacles, and provide constructive feedback to ensure that subordinates had the confidence and tools they needed to succeed in their goals?
How did you provide feedback to employees letting them know of their status in the completion of their goals?
Describe how you would offer useful critiques and assistance to colleagues to achieve their objectives.
When did you deliver productive feedback and extend help to peers to accomplish their goals?
How do you offer encouragement, remove obstacles, and give feedback to help subordinates succeed?
Give an example of how you would inform employees of their progress toward goal completion.

Different

Describe an unusual goal that you have?
Do you have any unconventional goals?
Have you recently developed any new goals?

Knowledgeable

Give an example of how you kept abreast of current developments pertaining to the job.
Explain how you would keep employees informed about the status of a project goal.
Give an example from your previous position, in which you shared valuable information and insights to support coworkers in attaining their goals.
How do you accomplish your most (important/significant) goals?
Did you have goals that you were unable to (accomplish/complete/carry out)?
How did your accomplishments in last job relate to the goals of your company?

Significant

Describe your most significant goal?
What are some of your (most significant) goals?
What do you want to do with your life?
Do you have things you would like to accomplish in life?
Did you reach goals you have set so far?
What do you really want to do in life?
What are goals you would like to accomplish with your life?

Career

What are goals you would like to accomplish in this profession?
What are your professional five-year goals?
What are your (most significant) career goals?
How have your career goals changed over time?
If you stay with your current employer, what will happen to your career?
What are your future career goals and how do you hope to achieve them?
How did you start in this line of work?
How is your current position a stepping stone to the advancement of your career?
What are your future vocational plans?
What is your career objective?
What is your long-term goal with relation to your occupation?
Tell me about your career goals.
What are your career goals for the future?
What kinds of career goals have you set?
Do you have goals to become a manager?
If your boss' job became vacant, would you apply for it?
What are your career plans for the future?
Do you see yourself doing your supervisor's job?
What goals, other than those related to your career, have you established?
Do you have goals to become an expert in any particular field?
Have you ever thought of completely changing your career?
If you could start your career over, what would you do differently?

Education

Do you have goals for learning how to use the latest technology?
What educational goals do you currently have?
How have your goals changed since you finished school?
How have your goals changed since you started working?

Self

How do you set (important) goals for yourself?
How did you decide on your goals?
How many goals do you have?
Do you set your own goals?
Who sets your goals at work (you or your supervisor)?
What goals have you set for yourself? Why did you choose these?
When do you change your goals?
How often do you set goals for yourself?

Other Goals

Do you have political goals?
How are your goals different from those of your supervisor?
Where do you see this company going?
Do you have financial goals?
What are your other goals?
Would you want to do your boss' job?
What goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you established for yourself for the next 10 years?
Our company has a mission statement that provides direction. What is your mission statement?
Where would you take your department if you got this position?
Did you have an impact on your company's goals?
Do you achieve all of the goals you set? If not, why not?