Please share your opinion of your previous boss with us.

"I learned a lot from working with them. There's always something to learn, whether that means taking on new skills or adapting to different communication styles. Some people lead through the integrity of their character, and others lead the way they think they're supposed to lead instead of letting their character's nature guide them. I think when leadership is forced, it often results in a forced approach, causing you to trip over your own feet and rub people the wrong way. I got along well with my previous boss because of their approach. As I said, I learned a lot."

They are curious about how well you get along with people in positions of authority. They are also interested in your perception of your previous workplace, how well you got along with others on the team, and perhaps the terms on which you left.

Your answer should indicate that you get along well with those in positions of authority. Focus on being a team player while simultaneously exhibiting qualities of leadership.

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

"I'd invite George Washington while he still had his teeth. I'd serve him fillet mignon and baked potatoes and baked onions because, culturally, that's what he'd be accustomed to. I'd have a nice red wine and play Eric Satie on the stereo."

This get-to-know-you question can come at the beginning or end of an interview. It is a method of getting to know you more intimately and assessing how well your personality will fit in with the people you'd be working with, should they hire you.

Think about your values and the people who inspire you. Elaborate on why you'd invite them to dinner.

Tell me about the worst manager you've ever had.

"I've gotten along with all of my managers. Not everyone is a natural-born leader. For many, it boils down to skill and comfort level in the role. I had one manager who rubbed everyone the wrong way. I never took it personally, but everyone else did. I tried to help them, but they grew suspicious and started singling people out. Eventually, they were transferred, and I heard later that they were demoted."

Your interviewer wants to know if you've had negative experiences with past managers. They're also curious about your attitude towards workplace conflicts. Your answer should demonstrate your professionalism, attitude, accountability, diplomacy, and leadership style.

You want to exhibit emotional maturity and objectivity and focus on the situation and what influenced the manager's behavior. Avoid making it seem personal. If you can, use an experience where a supervisor was struggling with their responsibilities and had room for improvement. Think of examples that show how their behavior or lack of skills impacted the team in the workplace.

Why did you leave your last job?

"I'm a bridge-builder, not a bridge burner. My last job was great while it lasted. I developed my five-year career plan when I was accepted into college and have updated it every year since. My previous employer helped me incredibly since I started with them, but the growth opportunities that were present a few years ago are no longer a viable option for me. So, it is with mutual respect and gratitude that I left them. I gave them almost two months' notice and helped to train my successor. I strongly believe that work relationships should last."

Interviewers ask this question to reveal the conditions of your departure from your previous employer (whether you were fired, quit, laid off, etc.). They are also curious about the terms your employment was severed - amicably or acrimoniously.

Focus on the positives. Don't reveal anything that would paint you in a negative light. For example, when someone has outgrown a position and isn't advancing their career, looking for career growth elsewhere reveals a dedication to one's well-formulated plans. Demonstrating professional gratitude for what you learned from your previous position can go a long way towards exhibiting emotional maturity.

Why do you want to work for the DoD?

"I joined the military to serve, honor, and protect our great nation. I am not politically blind and don't agree with a lot of the policies and motives of many of our politicians, but I respect the institutions of our democracy and feel as if my talents and my core values align with those of the DoD."

The interview process is expensive and time-consuming, so it is incumbent on the interviewer to ensure the person they are interviewing is a good fit for their culture and environment. They want to know that your motives for pursuing the position align with their mission. Demonstrating this will show them that you'd be a good investment.

Do your research on the company's values before the interview. Formulate your answer in advance and rehearse so it comes across as natural as possible.

"I like to think so. I have a great attitude, and the other members of my team enjoy working with me. Between my positivity and my fast pace, I see myself as a 'lead by example' kind of person who motivates those around me."

about what your insights may reveal about what keeps you motivated at work.

Formulate your answer to kill two birds with one stone. Give the interviewer insights into your personality and explain what motivates and inspires you and how you stay motivated throughout your workday. Describe your outlook towards your work, whether the task is high-pressure or monotonous. Additionally, explain how your work ethic sets the pace and motivates those around you.

Would you rather work alone or with others?

"Honestly, I can function in either environment. Whatever the work demands. When my work switches things up, I enjoy the variety. I'm one of those rare exceptions who is unphased by switching from interpersonal tasks and more solitary jobs."

The interviewer asks this behavioral question to determine whether you're a team collaborator or an innovator. Both bring value. There is no wrong or right answer.

Describe the environments in which you thrive. A more introverted individual recharges their battery in solitary environments, whereas an extroverted individual thrives in social settings. Most people fall somewhere in the middle. Focus your answer on what it takes for you to perform at your best without focusing on how difficult it may be to maintain your focus in other environments.

How was the drive in?

"The drive was great. In all honesty, I enjoy driving. I love my car. I keep it like new and always use that time to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, or NPR and catch up on my news."

This question serves as an initial ice breaker that serves two roles - to make you feel more at ease throughout the interview, which better serves the needs of you and the interviewer, and to get you to lower your guard and be more candid with them in your answers, with the aim that you'll be so relaxed through the interview that you lower your guard and expose any red flags they are hoping to be made aware of. It also tells the interviewer if you have a reliable mode of transportation to get to and from work without persistent attendance issues. Since it is illegal to ask an interviewee if they have a car, this question may seek to reveal the same information without asking it directly.

Feel free to use a conversational tone for this introductory question, but be sure to use a more professional tone once you dive into the interview after this. You want your interviewer to be more open and receptive to you as a candidate, but you don't want to get too friendly or conversational, as you might reveal something about yourself that might raise a red flag.

This office has fast and slow moments. Do you see yourself getting bored during the downtime?

"I am a stronger believer in that old work adage, 'There's always something to do.' I stay productive and am rarely bored at work. If I have downtime at work, I make sure that I've crossed every item off my list and reorganized all of my systems."

Your interviewer is hoping to get a glimpse of your work ethic. They are also curious to know if you make a practice of going above and beyond. Lastly, this question serves to gauge how likely you are to burn out on the job.

Your goal is to come across as consistently going above and beyond in your work. You want to demonstrate strong time management skills and tell the interviewer that you look at those slow moments as an opportunity to prioritize work you wouldn't otherwise be able to address during busier periods.

Our environment is more relaxed than the military. Do you see yourself as a good fit?

"I'm adaptable to any environment and am well-prepared for the opportunities this position presents. I have every confidence I have what it takes and believe I would be an excellent fit for this position."

This question gauges the comfort level of those who prefer a more strict and regimented work environment and how confidently they'd be able to adapt. It also seeks to test your level of self-awareness.

You want to come across as self-aware, confident, and ready for the challenges that come with this position. Thoroughly research the position you're competing for so that you can articulate your understanding of the nature of the question and how this position contrasts with your previous role.

When have you felt sad in the last six months?

"I'm sure there have been a few circumstantial occasions where I've been sad. When situations arise that affect you emotionally, I think it is important to have those feeling as opposed to allowing them to have you. I embrace those emotions, process, move through that experience, and then move on."

This question is intended to gauge your emotional intelligence. There is no right or wrong answer to this question.

Emotional intelligence is defined as "the ability to engage in sophisticated information processing about one's own and others' emotions and the ability to use this information as a guide to thinking and behavior. That is, individuals high in emotional intelligence pay attention to, use, understand, and manage emotions, and these skills serve adaptive functions that potentially benefit themselves and others." Consider this when formulating your answer. Exhibiting strong emotional intelligence can go a long way.

What is the last book you read?

"I don't watch much television outside of the news or documentaries. I read a lot of biographies, and my primary source of entertainment is police procedural novels and historical maritime stories. The last novel I read was..."

This question serves several purposes. It aims to reveal how well-read, and thereby educated, you are. The interviewers are also curious about the type of reading material you are drawn to and what that may reveal about your personality. Lastly, it serves as a conversation point to get you to relax.

Be honest and elaborate intelligently on your takeaways from the last book you read. If appropriate, reveal what drew you to read the book in the first place and whether it met your expectations. Feel free to elaborate on the types of books you gravitate towards.

How would you describe the role of our agency within the government to a member of the public?

"I don't think I could say it any better than the DoD's motto. I'd tell them that The Department of Defense's enduring mission is to provide combat-credible military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of our nation. It's our job to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It's our job to protect, through timely and effective action, the security of the United States, its possessions, and vital interests. We uphold and advance the national policies and interests of the United States of America."

The interviewer is curious about how familiar you are with the DoD and if you've performed the expected cursory research on the department, its mission statements, and its values before the interview. How you answer will inform them of the standard of your work, its quality, and how frequently you go above and beyond.

Research the role before the interview. There's ample information on the DOD website. Rehearse your answer in a way that comes across naturally. This would be how you would deliver your answer to the public.

Tell us about a time your team's findings were criticized by your superiors. How did you respond?

"I take such things in stride. My job is to make my superiors' jobs easier. I look at criticism as a growth opportunity and take it in stride. I am grateful for my superiors' investment in my development. Having their perspective allows me to anticipate their wants and needs, driving me incrementally closer to success. Having said that, there was one time when..."

This question will allow the interviewer to evaluate how you deal with those in positions of authority. Your answer will demonstrate your receptiveness to feedback and what you learned from that feedback if anything. How you answer this question will help ascertain how well you would be able to communicate in the position you're interviewing for.

Be humble in your answer and not defensive. The key is to present yourself as calm and professional. You should always strive to improve your performance and learn and grow.

Tell me about a time your interpretation of data was challenged by a counterpart. How did you explain how you reached your conclusions? What actions did you take in the face of this criticism, and what was the outcome?

"In my first position, just out of college, I was eager to learn but went into information overload. I dove into a new project and worked hard towards an end goal, wanting to impress, but my approach to the work was all wrong. My manager explained where I went wrong. I felt bad and a little embarrassed, but I learned. Now I ask more questions and repeat their instructions back to them, ensuring the communication was effective. I take feedback in stride and learn as much as I can from any such experience."

This question allows the interviewer to evaluate how you deal with feedback, constructive or negative. They want to know if you are easily offended or turn defensive when receiving criticism. This is about how you successfully communicate your vision to persuade others to share your vision.

Be humble in your answer and not defensive. The key is to present yourself as calm and professional and to demonstrate your desire to improve your performance and learn and grow. Understanding that not everyone communicates the same requires empathy and the ability to not internalize someone else's reactions. If someone delivers negative feedback in an unprofessional manner, it is a reflection of their mood or outlook and not you.

Describe an experience in which members of your team were in conflict for what you felt were personality-based reasons. How did you intervene in this situation, if you did, and how was the situation resolved?

"I worked with a fellow who had issues with another employee. It was a personality conflict, but he was clearly in the wrong. He was fired. Then one day, he showed up acting erratic and aggressive. I stepped in and volunteered to escort him out. He was disgruntled, drunk, and belligerent, trying to stir things up. I escorted him off the premises. It was unfortunate. I knew the guy and liked him, but they let him go, and he came back drunk and wasn't himself that day. He tried to slip past me twice, but I detained him and escorted him out. It was easy to get hold of him without hurting him or myself, and that was the last time I saw him."

This behavioral question will offer a meaningful glimpse into your personality, as well as your soft skills. The interviewer wants to get a glimpse of your mediation and negotiation skills. They need to know how adept and effective you are at diplomacy and working swiftly towards a communal goal.

Focus your example on the solution rather than the problem. Focus on the situation and not on any one person as the source of the conflict. Let's say you were working on a group project and you disagreed with someone on your team. Describe the steps you took to work through it. Taking a thoughtful approach by listening to the opinions of others first is always a good place to start. Show that you took the initiative and stayed calm to resolve the situation.

Do you have excellent organizational skills?

"I create a daily task list for myself. I add anything that carries over to my next day's list at the end of each workday while everything is fresh in my mind. At that same time, I'll reevaluate anything I added that day to my list and prioritize it accordingly. Once something is done, I'll mark that off as well. It also doubles as an effective way of measuring my success and self-growth. This way, any time I perform a self-evaluation of my performance, I can better identify my developmental progress and ask for help when I feel like I should be farther along."

This question seeks to reveal your work style and ethic, which helps them determine your fit into their team. This question is about your organizational, project management, and time management skills. Accuracy is a critical part of the daily activities of any job. How well you produce error-free, high-quality work within given timeframes will be evaluated based on your attention to detail, adaptability, and flexibility.

Emphasize your ability to stay organized and track tasks and your understanding of the distinction between quality and quantity, and explain why striking a balance is important. Emphasize your resourcefulness, flexibility, and adaptability in an ever-changing, demanding environment. Then, explain your techniques to stay organized under such high-pressure conditions. Attention to detail is only valuable when quality doesn't sacrifice meeting deadlines and accomplishing the goals set forth. There's a standard to uphold. Explain that you value both and describe how you balance the two in your work.

Tell us about a time your team failed to meet the demands of a complex, sensitive project.

"I was spearheading two separate projects and took on a third, convinced I could deliver all three of them on time. This third project was very involved, more so than I expected, and it slowed me down. As the deadline approached, the first two projects were close to being done, but the third was only halfway there. I realized I was going to either miss all three deadlines or just one if I abandoned the third project and re-prioritized the first two. I passed off the third project. I thought I could do anything, but I realized it was better to do a few things well instead of doing more at a lower quality of work. Since then, I'm conscientious about not over-performing instead of biting off more than I can chew. It's important for a person to know their limits."

This question will assess your leadership skills, your ability to take responsibility for your actions, how you deal with setbacks, and what you learn from your failures. Making mistakes is human. How we deal with and remedy a mistake comes down to exercising good judgment and knowing when to ask for help. The interviewer hopes to ascertain whether you take ownership of your mistakes and setbacks and learn from them or deflect blame, repeating the same errors, making you difficult to work with.

Use examples that reveal your ability to adapt, detailing how quickly you reacted and the logic behind your course of action. Avoid examples that reflect poorly on your performance. Describe the situation, the obstacle, and how you ultimately overcame it.

Tell us about a time you were under pressure to deliver a report. How did you deal with the pressure without it affecting the quality of your work?

"I like to get a jump on my work in advance. It helps me meet my deadlines early with consistency. On one occasion, I didn't print the report until the deadline was fast approaching, having gotten distracted by more pressing concerns. Just as I went to print my report, the computer crashed. I scrambled for a while, trying to recover the files. Then, I yanked the hard drive and brought it to IT to see if they could recover the file. I then worked with our cloud department to see if we could locate the file there. I hurriedly started writing the report again, going off my notes and memory. Just as I finished, within an hour of the deadline, our cloud department returned the file, and IT sent me an earlier version of the file. I took the best parts from all three and filed the report within my deadline. Now, I always beat my deadlines by much more than that. Coming up that close to the deadline made me uncomfortable. I'm extra vigilant to ensure I don't repeat that mistake."

This question seeks to gauge how you cope with high-stress situations. It also aims to determine what kind of situations you find stressful and how your emotions dictate your performance on the job. The interviewer wants to know if you have what it takes to keep calm under pressure in their environment.

Exhibit your emotional maturity by explaining how you keep calm under pressure. Acknowledge that we face stressful situations every day and highlight your ability to take such situations in stride. Having a positive attitude towards even the stressful components of your work indicates that you'll foster a positive work environment.

What sets you apart from the other candidates interviewing for this job?

" I learn fast and work fast. I have high attention to detail and a great deal of integrity. I hold myself accountable, taking responsibility for my actions, and am a team player. I have solid leadership skills and never quit, so I never fail. I am eager to learn and grow and have a great attitude. I strive to be the kind of employee I'd want to hire."

The interviewer wants to hear your pitch. This question also determines if you've researched the position and how well you've been paying attention to the other interview questions in this set. They want to know if you know what sets you apart from the other candidates competing for this opportunity.

This is an excellent opportunity to boast about your accomplishments. Go deeper into what you brought to your previous teams and what you would deliver to their team that is unique to you. Think about your successes, the positive energy you'd bring, and the positive comments your coworkers have made about you in the past. Speak confidently, make relaxed eye contact, and use positive, engaging, and confident body language.

What skills do you possess that would benefit you in this position?

"I have incredible attention to detail and great analytical and problem-solving skills. I am a strong collaborator, always focused on the team. I'm a great communicator, verbally and written, and am always actively listening. I have great project and time management skills and always think outside of the box."

The interviewer is trying to assess what unique skills you possess while ranking you among the other candidates they've interviewed. They're looking to gain insights into your work ethic and style.

Thoroughly research the position, gaining insight into their goals and how those goals align with your own. From there, determine what unique skills you possess that would benefit them. Be professional and concise. Focus on the requirements of the job and the traits they are looking for in a candidate.

Tell me something people like about you.

"I've found that people are attracted to my optimism and positivity. A negative attitude is contagious, and no one wants to be around you and your collaboration on the team falls apart. Positivity is also contagious, and everyone wants to be around you. So, I think my attitude is what people respond to the most."

This question allows you to speak to your merits. It also seeks to gauge the value you place on working relationships and whether you are an introvert or an extrovert.

Talk to the interviewer about how you develop relationships with coworkers when you start a new job, regardless of whether you socialize with them outside of the workplace. Building a rapport with your coworkers enhances effective communication and helps establish trust and mutual respect. Focus on what a team needs to thrive. A focused collaboration partnered with enhanced communication fosters a positive impact on each member of a team and delivers a rewarding experience, raised morale, and a sense of camaraderie. Without building these relationships first, the latter cannot be attained.

Describe an experience in which it became necessary to expand upon or further develop your areas of expertise. What was the situation? Why did this become necessary, and what was the result of your development?

"Once, I had to deliver a report to a group of people who were ultimately there to judge my work, and in effect, judge me. So I padded the job like never before. If I was going to get up there, I had to anticipate every question that would come my way. I had to be a top expert on what I was about to speak about. This was the culmination of everything I'd worked towards. I was nervous, but I believed in myself, so I focused on that and convinced myself that everyone would come around if I presented the information well. I believed in myself and delivered my report with conviction. I got a lot of pats on the back for that one. I felt like it was a success because of how I have further developed my skills."

The interviewer hopes to learn more about your approach toward your development and your ability to step outside of your comfort zone. A person's level of ambition can be revealed in how frequently they take advantage of learning new skills. This question may also serve to reveal if you are overly ambitious and frequently take on too many tasks. They want to know if you're more likely to underperform on many tasks, over-perform on one task, or fall somewhere in between.

Explain why your example was outside of your comfort zone. Specify whether you were volunteered for this task or if were you challenging yourself. Explain what you did to ensure your success and describe the obstacles you faced along the way.

Do you have any limitations that would prevent you from being able to perform in this role?

"I am fully capable of excelling at performing the necessary duties of this job."

It is illegal for an interviewer to ask many questions during the interview process. They cannot ask about any disabilities or medical conditions, among other questions. This question aims to get you to reveal any potential red flags that might slow down your productivity or ability to match the performance of the ideal candidate.

Speak with confidence in your ability to perform the required functions of this role. Assure the interviewer that you have no limitations if you don't. If you have a disability that you don't believe should hinder your success, then there is no legal or ethical reason to reveal that information.

What is your availability?

"I have open availability. I am used to working all hours at a moment's notice. I'm available to work whenever I'm needed."

Depending on the position you are applying for, there may be a high demand for less desirable shifts. There may also be expectations for putting in overtime or weekend hours or expected on-call coverage when experiencing staff shortages. The interviewer is gauging your overall flexibility and expectations for the role.

It is best to be honest. If you have other priorities or demands on your time that aren't conducive to working lots of overtime or covering other shifts, then it is worth clarifying this now. It is better for both an employee and an employer to learn that the job isn't a good fit earlier rather than later.

What qualities do you think are necessary to perform in this role?

"I know a few people who work for the DoD and have a cursory knowledge of the role and how it compares to my work experience, but I'm interested in learning more. From the time I spent researching, I'd say I'm perfectly equipped to perform the duties of this job, and here's why..."

Your answer should demonstrate your knowledge of what this role entails and inform the interviewer of your skills and how uniquely qualified you are for this position. Your attitude, whether you're humble or arrogant, will reveal your level of professionalism.

Research the role before the interview. Align your experience and the skills you offer with the qualities required to perform well in this role.

Tell us about a time you had to make a decision without all the necessary information.

"I would say I'm a resourceful person. Too often, people are hit by task paralysis. Not me. I reach for the closest resource to get the ball rolling and proceed accordingly, taking the wisest route I can afford, depending on how pressing the complicated problem in question might be."

The interviewer wants to know if you think outside the box or ask for help when you are stuck with a complicated problem. It will offer them insights into how resourceful and self-reliant you are. How you answer this question will attest to your professionalism and innovation.

Share the 'tricks of the trade' you'll bring to their organization. Where some might rely on instinct, others might explore all their resources before committing to a course of action. Strike a balance between being independent and resourceful and not being afraid to ask for help when all other options have been exhausted. Back up your claims with a story about putting your skills into practice. Show the interviewer that you are knowledgeable and equipped to handle different types of scenarios. Offer varied examples to display your understanding of the nature of this question.

Put your resume aside and tell me what makes you who you are.

"I was a military brat, growing up on bases and traveling the world. We settled down in Nevada, where I went to high school. I later joined the military and served four tours in Iraq. Then I worked in security for a few years, which has led me here."

Your resume and cover letter got you this far. Now your interviewers want to know more about you. Your answer should tell them about your passions, hobbies, and your job-centric interests. They're curious about how you'll fit into their culture. How you answer this question will inform them how closely your passions and ideals align with what they represent.

Don't get too conversational in the interview unless the interviewer sets that tone. Align your passions with the functions of the role. Make your answer concise, positive, and relaxed. Make it fun while keeping it professional. When answering questions like this, most candidates aren't sure how to present themselves, where to start, where to end, or how to elaborate their points with relevance to the position they're interviewing for. The trick is to compose your answer in advance and rehearse it. Prepare your professionally toned answer by answering these four fundamental questions: "Who am I," "Why am I here," "Where do I come from," and "Where am I going." This is your first impression, so be confident and sincere.

Describe the leadership style you work best with.

"Out of the five main leadership styles, I feel transformational leaders are the most effective at motivating through educating and sharing the vision of the company and team. I think that adopting this style of leadership is effective in any working environment when engaged and able to tap into both hard and soft skills. They are more engaging and more of a mentor and get everyone on the same page and engaged with the work. There's no better leadership style to get a team to take pride in their work."

How you answer this question will help the interviewer evaluate your ability to identify different personality types. It will also offer insights into your ability to distinguish the benefits and drawbacks of each of the five main leadership styles, the five main leadership types; authoritarian, participative, delegative, transactional, and transformational, as well as your approach towards and identification of each type.

Think about the leadership style that has inspired or motivated you most. Whether by inspiring innovation in others by assigning tasks equitably, based on skill, preference, or randomly, determine which approach you've found most effective and speak to its merits.

Tell me about a time a team member asked your opinion about data that should have been flagged directly with a superior. How did you respond, what action did you take, and what was the outcome?

"I worked with someone who witnessed some suspicious activity that had some pretty wide implications but also could have amounted to nothing at all. They'd previously tried to bring some other ticky-tack issues to the attention of our superiors, but their motives were transparent. They were just trying to race to the top of the hill. They were in it for themselves. Instead of reporting the information, they asked my opinion on its credibility and wanted to strategize a good time to raise the concern in a way that would most benefit their career. I informed them that they were doing it for all the wrong reasons, and they should have reported it immediately. I told them that if they didn't address it immediately, I would. This strained our relationship for a while, but that's on them. They're looking out for themself. I'm looking out for the safety of the team."

Situations like this can be sensitive and affect how others on your team perceive you. The interviewer wants to know how you handle such situations and your reasoning for bringing attention to the situation.

Explain that you were working in the interest of all involved parties. Mention the welfare of your coworker, the needs of the team, and the necessity of bringing it to your superiors in your example. Avoid examples where bringing others' mistakes to light may come across as intending to make yourself look better.

Department of Defense Interview Questions

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1. Please share your opinion of your previous boss with us.
2. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
3. Tell me about the worst manager you've ever had.
4. Why did you leave your last job?
5. Why do you want to work for the DoD?
6. Are you a motivator?
7. Would you rather work alone or with others?
8. How was the drive in?
9. This office has fast and slow moments. Do you see yourself getting bored during the downtime?
10. Our environment is more relaxed than the military. Do you see yourself as a good fit?
11. When have you felt sad in the last six months?
12. What is the last book you read?
13. How would you describe the role of our agency within the government to a member of the public?
14. Tell us about a time your team's findings were criticized by your superiors. How did you respond?
15. Tell me about a time your interpretation of data was challenged by a counterpart. How did you explain how you reached your conclusions? What actions did you take in the face of this criticism, and what was the outcome?
16. Describe an experience in which members of your team were in conflict for what you felt were personality-based reasons. How did you intervene in this situation, if you did, and how was the situation resolved?
17. Do you have excellent organizational skills?
18. Tell us about a time your team failed to meet the demands of a complex, sensitive project.
19. Tell us about a time you were under pressure to deliver a report. How did you deal with the pressure without it affecting the quality of your work?
20. What sets you apart from the other candidates interviewing for this job?
21. What skills do you possess that would benefit you in this position?
22. Tell me something people like about you.
23. Describe an experience in which it became necessary to expand upon or further develop your areas of expertise. What was the situation? Why did this become necessary, and what was the result of your development?
24. Do you have any limitations that would prevent you from being able to perform in this role?
25. What is your availability?
26. What qualities do you think are necessary to perform in this role?
27. Tell us about a time you had to make a decision without all the necessary information.
28. Put your resume aside and tell me what makes you who you are.
29. Describe the leadership style you work best with.
30. Tell me about a time a team member asked your opinion about data that should have been flagged directly with a superior. How did you respond, what action did you take, and what was the outcome?

Department of Defense Interview Questions

1. Please share your opinion of your previous boss with us.

2. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

3. Tell me about the worst manager you've ever had.

4. Why did you leave your last job?

5. Why do you want to work for the DoD?

6. Are you a motivator?

7. Would you rather work alone or with others?

8. How was the drive in?

9. This office has fast and slow moments. Do you see yourself getting bored during the downtime?

10. Our environment is more relaxed than the military. Do you see yourself as a good fit?

11. When have you felt sad in the last six months?

12. What is the last book you read?

13. How would you describe the role of our agency within the government to a member of the public?

14. Tell us about a time your team's findings were criticized by your superiors. How did you respond?

15. Tell me about a time your interpretation of data was challenged by a counterpart. How did you explain how you reached your conclusions? What actions did you take in the face of this criticism, and what was the outcome?

16. Describe an experience in which members of your team were in conflict for what you felt were personality-based reasons. How did you intervene in this situation, if you did, and how was the situation resolved?

17. Do you have excellent organizational skills?

18. Tell us about a time your team failed to meet the demands of a complex, sensitive project.

19. Tell us about a time you were under pressure to deliver a report. How did you deal with the pressure without it affecting the quality of your work?

20. What sets you apart from the other candidates interviewing for this job?

21. What skills do you possess that would benefit you in this position?

22. Tell me something people like about you.

23. Describe an experience in which it became necessary to expand upon or further develop your areas of expertise. What was the situation? Why did this become necessary, and what was the result of your development?

24. Do you have any limitations that would prevent you from being able to perform in this role?

25. What is your availability?

26. What qualities do you think are necessary to perform in this role?

27. Tell us about a time you had to make a decision without all the necessary information.

28. Put your resume aside and tell me what makes you who you are.

29. Describe the leadership style you work best with.

30. Tell me about a time a team member asked your opinion about data that should have been flagged directly with a superior. How did you respond, what action did you take, and what was the outcome?