Taking the initiative could mean that you take on responsibilities independently without being asked or continually coached by your manager. It could also mean that you jump in and assume the lead before others do or before being asked. Tell the interviewer about a specific time you showed initiative in your work. Outline the situation, describe the task, and explain the actions you took. Give as much detail as you can regarding the positive results of your actions. At the end of your response, describe your high level of initiative and explain how this characteristic will benefit you as a new colleague at Boeing.

"Service to my community and the underserved is extremely important to me. During my college years, I organized community service activities with fellow students and was commended by our program for these efforts. One such program involved mentoring children from disadvantaged backgrounds in the community. I reached out to schools in the area to get an idea of the number of children in need of mentoring. Then, I developed a plan with the school administration and gathered other volunteers. While this wasn't a requirement of my program, the lives we helped will stay with me forever from this experience."