15 Values-Based Interview
Questions & Answers

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

ASSESSABLE VALUE – INTEGRITY

SITUATION – In my previous job, I was working as part of a successful team who had a track record of achieving strong results for our employer. During a team meeting with an external client, a representative of the client asked me to cut corners whilst carrying out my particular element of a project, with a view to saving money and reducing costs.

TASK – It was my job to explain to the client’s representative that by cutting corners we would effectively be making the project not fit for purpose, and also potentially unsafe.

ACTION – I started off by explaining in a professional manner that I could understand why it is important to keep costs to an absolute minimum whilst running a business, but that in my professional opinion, by doing so we would be putting the project at risk of being unsafe and ultimately not fit for its intended purpose.

RESULT – After I had put forward my argument in a logical, concise and professional manner that was back up with evidence, the client’s representative agreed with me that it was not feasible or safe to cut corners to reduce costs.

SUGGESTED ANSWER

ASSESSABLE VALUE – COLLABORATION

SITUATION – I was working as part of a 4-person team on a difficult project that needed to be completed within 21 days. My manager was required to give the company shareholders a presentation on a set date, once the project was complete, and it was our job to get the project completed on time.

TASK – I was required to work as part of the team to not only carry out my role diligently and professionally, but to also support the other team members whilst carrying out their own tasks.

ACTION – I am a very fast worker, which meant I finished my part of the team task with 4 days to spare. As soon as I finished my part of the task, I asked the other 3 members of the team if any of them required assistance, and one particular colleague needed help collecting data for his part of the team task to be completed on time. I quickly took a brief from him and then went away and collected the data as soon as possible.

RESULT – The end result was, the team task and project were fully completed to the correct standard and specification with just 24-hours to spare. We then presented the project to our manager who then successfully delivered his presentation to the shareholders the very next day.