Personnel Selection: Interview Questions: Initiative

Self-Starter

When working on a problem in a team, are you often the first to suggest possible solutions?
Are you a self-starter who does not wait to be told to do something?
How do you analyze the needs of the situation and act before being told to do so?
Do you initiate the development of new products?
Are you able to initiate work on projects independently without direct supervision? Give examples.
Describe how you independently seek out new learning opportunities to improve your skills.
Do you usually look to start work on new projects without waiting for direction from the manager?
Have you taken the initiative to change the direction or course of events?
Are you inclined to initiate action rather than react?

Proactive

Do you address small problems before they become big ones? Give me an example.
Are you proactive and gets things done?
What steps do you take to establish clear and concise deadlines for tasks to be completed?
Describe how you begin action on projects?
Give examples of how you acted quickly when a small problem arose to keep it from becoming a major issue.
How are you proactive when preparing for potential problems or critical events?
Do you usually act quickly to address any issues or problems?
Do you actively work on resolving the issue instead of procrastinating or hoping it will resolve itself?

Opportunistic

Describe how you seized upon opportunities available?
Do you take advantage of opportunities when they become available?
How do you capitalize on opportunities as they become available?
Have you seized upon chances to improve the department's prospects?
Describe how you act quickly when an opportunity becomes available?
Do you seek and utilize opportunities for continuous learning and self-development?
How do you look for opportunities to move projects forward?

Working Independently

Forward Thinking

Have you prepared for unexpected contingencies?
Do you anticipate problems and initiates plans to address them?
Give examples of when you anticipated what needed to be done and made the necessary preparations?

Motivated

Impactful

Describe how you take decisive action to address problems, following up with relevant team members and coaching them on how to improve?
Do you initiate projects that have an impact on the department?
Have you initiated actions that impacted the department/company?
Have you helped the department take the initiative to create new solutions?
Do you encourage others on the team to suggest process improvements?

Above Expectations

Have you guided strategic initiatives to advance the department/organization?
Have you taken on additional tasks without being asked or told to do so?
Are you an inspiration for others to perform above expectations?
Have you inspired others to perform above expectations?
Describe when you expanded the offerings of the department by working evenings and weekends.
Do you aim to achieve more than what is expected or required?
Have you taken on extra projects after required work is completed?
Do you go above and beyond the stated goals?
Do you volunteer time and effort toward the completion of important goals?

Persistent or Tenacious

Do you bend rules when necessary to accomplish tasks? Plesae explain.
Have you initiated draft reports for consideration?
Describe how and when you bend rules when necessary to achieve goals?
Describe how/when you continued to work on a problem even in the face of obstacles?
Do you take the initiative to complete tasks ahead of schedule?

Rises to the Occasion

Initiative in Relationships

How do you initiate draft documents for the director?
Do you build strong interpersonal relationships upon first meeting?
Do you immediately inform the HR Department of any personnel complaints or issues?
Do you immediately inform the supervisor of any critical incidents?
Do you coach others to foster an environment which can adapt quickly and willingly to rapid change?
Do you quickly come to the aid of those who may need help?
Describe how you initiate important conversation topics at meetings?
Do you inform the manager of any important changes in the equipment operation?
How do you engage with new customers? Immediately?