What's your top strength?

"I think my greatest strength is my can-do attitude. The only thing we have any control over is our attitude. I choose to see the glass as half full. When someone comes up with an idea, I never say it can't be done. Rather, I'm the one who says, to achieve that goal, we'd have to overcome XYC. Where there is a will, there is a way. Luck is where you find it, and fortune favors the brave."

Your interviewer wants to know what you perceive as your greatest strengths and how your strengths will benefit their team. Your answer should demonstrate your confidence and self-awareness. Be aware that the interviewer will notice the consistency of your answers.

Emphasize the strengths that make you well suited to the role. Identify the qualities the company wants in a candidate from the job description or the company's website and name one of those qualities as your top strength.

What is your biggest weakness?

"My greatest weakness is not being able to say no. In the past, I've bitten off more than I can chew and struggled with how to communicate 'no' functionally. I wanted to be a can-do employee but would push myself to the limit. I've learned that not communicating what I can and can't do within my well-managed time can lead me to underperform. I am also my own worst critic. I rarely need to be disciplined because I am harder on myself than anyone else could be. Even though I am a perfectionist and give my all, sometimes I can push myself too hard. I've gotten a handle on this and on managing my time. I'm now striking a harmonious balance between the two."

How you answer this question will give the interviewer insight into your self-awareness and how you identify your weaknesses and growth opportunities. They are also interested if you will overshare and offer them any red flags that would prove you to be more of a liability than an asset.

When discussing your weakness, your goal is to turn that weakness into a strength. Your greatest weakness as an asset in its own right. Think about self-assessments you may have done before previous performance reviews and see if any of those growth opportunities can be applied. Remain professional and strategic in your answers. Don't highlight any tangible issues you've faced in the past, like being written up or given corrective action concerning attendance issues or issues with authority.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"I imagine that five years from now, I'll have proven myself as invaluable to the rest of my team at work and be mentoring others in the way my mentor took care of me. I would love to see myself growing into a more prominent leadership role within your organization. I'd like to supervise or manage a team of my own with the Department of Water Resources. I feel like I am progressing in my career at a rate that will make this a possibility."

This question will allow the interviewer to assess if you have career goals and where you see yourself in five years. Your answer will offer insights into the level of your ambition. It will also reveal how your perceived future aligns with the opportunity to work with them. The interviewer also hopes to glean your level of commitment to your future employer.

Examine your career plan and goals and how close you are to reaching those goals. Create a five-year career plan to further refine your goals. Outline where you plan to be in five and ten years, and consider how working with the Department of Water Resources can get you there. Consider the mutually beneficial opportunities working for them would offer you and the company. Once you have this mapped out, you can communicate your answer in a manner that should meet their expectations.

What would your previous employer tell us about you?

"They'd tell you the quality of my work is of the highest caliber. They'd say I am the poster child for integrity and credibility and that I'm innovative and open-minded. My old boss would look you in the eye and say that I'm the person you want on your team."

If this question makes a candidate nervous, the interviewer may wonder how honest the candidate has been about their qualifications and accomplishments. If the interviewee comes across as confident and provides a notable answer consistent with the rest of the interview, the interviewer will likely be more trusting of the candidate's answers.

Never ask the interviewer if they talked to your previous employers or what they might have said. There is no need to feel intimidated by this question. In most states, previous employers will disclose very little. Therefore, it is likely they do not know how you will answer. This is an opportunity to share your accomplishments. Answer with confidence and describe the feedback your previous employer gave you.

What are your top values?

"I'd say that my core values are integrity and trusting others' intentions. Also, the best method to do the job right should be the path of least resistance. That's why I am always looking to improve workflow and work system strategies. Keeping an eye on the big picture, building bridges, being a friend to all, and having a positive attitude is my brand, and I am always on brand."

Every company has core values and a mission statement. The interviewer asks this question to ascertain if your goals, priorities, and values are aligned with theirs. They are also trying to determine your level of big-picture thinking.

Research the company's core values on its website and consider how their core values align with your own. Think about how your values have aided you throughout your career before being interviewed. Never wing your answers. Always determine how you'd answer these questions in advance. Doing so will ensure consistency from one question to the next.

Do you prefer to work alone or with others?

"A bit of both. I love zeroing in on a data set and interpreting it as a solo project, but I find being in a team environment rewarding. They both have their merits. I can get lost in my work in both scenarios. A work environment that promotes harmony over hardship promotes the strengths of the team instead of exploiting their weaknesses, and I thrive in a work environment where encouragement, mentorship, and true camaraderie."

Many behavioral interview questions determine if you are an extrovert, an introvert, or something in between. There is no wrong or right answer. The interviewer wants to ascertain whether you work well with others or prefer to work solely on your own. Most people fall somewhere in the middle.

Be honest and demonstrate your self-awareness. Tell the interviewer which category you fall into and offer storytelling examples of times you've used this to your advantage and shined. Exhibit your ability to be productive in any environment. This will help them determine where you would best fit on their team.

Who inspires you and why?

"I'm inspired by any person who sees possibility where others see impossibility. I believe where there is a will, there is a way. Any person who navigates their way through logistical adversity is an inspiration. Nicola Tesla, for example, wanted to give so much to the world, and in many ways, we are still reaping the rewards of his contributions to this day. Truly inspiring."

Naming a figure of inspiration, a personal hero, or a mentor role model will tell the interviewer about your personality, philosophy, and approach to life and work. This indicates your core values and motivators, as well as what inspires you as well.

Your life's inspiration can come from a book, a mentor, your family, a celebrity, or an author. Talk to the interviewer about who has inspired you and why.Think of those who inspired you. Explore if the core values and philosophy of the Department of Water Resources embody some of the same qualities. Inspirational people motivate us to keep going when we feel like giving up. They're passionate and driven, accomplishing goals that seem impossible and starting new ventures with new ideas that change the way we view the world.

How do you spend your spare time?

"I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love reading, watching documentaries, learning, attending lectures, and cooking. I'm something of a health nut and a foodie. I avoid processed foods whenever possible, so I do a lot of cooking from scratch. I also enjoy getting a bite to eat somewhere or going for a walk or a hike."

Interviewers use this question to gauge how well your priorities align with theirs while keeping an eye out for any contradictions to your previous answers. If your hobbies present conflicts with your work, the interviewer will question the authenticity of your previous answers throughout the interview set.

This question can also provide you with an opportunity to sell your merits, make yourself shine, and present yourself as interesting and more relatable. Taking this approach could result in some connective conversation that will leave the interviewer with a memorable experience after the interview.

How do you create balance in your life?

"I'm the kind of person who aims to be happy in everything I do at work and home. I love what I do. I also love spending time at home and with my family. I take time to do things for myself. Being happy all the time ensures the perfect emotional balance around the clock."

How you answer this question will offer the interviewer insight into how you handle stress and how well you manage your time. Not managing your time can cause you to be late to work. If you feel overwhelmed at work because of poor time management, you might bring more stress home from work, not sleep well, and not perform at your best. If you are stressed out in your personal life, it could affect your performance at work. If an employee is stressed out at work, they'll burn out faster. An employee with a work-life balance will perform well professionally over the long term. The interviewer wants to know how you achieve that balance without being governed by chaos.

It's okay if you occasionally take your work home with you or if you need to take time off from work for personal matters. The interviewer wants to know how you achieve balance. Share a few tools you used to stay organized and manage your time. Exude confidence and emotional maturity. Demonstrate that you've balanced your work and home life. These qualities are integral to leadership.

Tell me about yourself.

"I'm (Name). I grew up in Portland Oregon. I'm passionate about travel, taking the road less traveled, and experiencing new cultures and cuisine. I love listening to music and dancing, enjoy reading, and am passionate about the environment. I'm a recent University of Washington graduate, and I'm excited about my career and what comes next. I'm a walking cinephile encyclopedia. I've often been described as easygoing, a master multitasker, a friend to all and enemy to none, and an emotional rock."

This introductory question is often used as an icebreaker. Not only is it intended to get you to relax and let your guard down in the interview, but it also offers a glimpse into your personality. This could be an indicator of what motivates you in life or work. It might also reveal any potential red flags that the interviewer might be keeping an eye out for.This interview question might accompany other similar questions, such as "Tell me something that isn't on your resume," "how do you like to spend your free time," or "tell me about your education. Therefore, it is important to be conservative in your answers to these kinds of questions and not answer those other potential questions at the same time.

Since this question is designed to get to know you, stick to what motivates you. Before your interview, compose a brief bio of yourself, including who you are, where you come from, how you got to where you are, and where you are going in your career. You can go deeper into each point throughout the interview when appropriate, but for this question, stick to the cursory introductory synopsis.

Tell me about a time you faced conflict while working as part of a team.

"I worked with someone who was going through a divorce. They were distracted, insecure, and sensitive. They also started having attendance issues. This exposed some holes in our attendance policy, which our leadership sought to patch up. As a result, the leadership made some changes to our attendance policy, and my coworker took it as a personal attack. I guess they felt victimized by what they were going through and projected that at work. I didn't agree with their perspective and didn't feel their negative outlook was doing them any good, so I tried to offer a more objective lens. It wasn't appreciated, and they lashed out at me, misinterpreted my concern as insensitive, and accused me of using a tone I didn't intend. After things de-escalated, I explained I was just trying to help, since I cared about them and didn't want their problems to go from bad to worse. I think this embarrassed them. A couple of days later, they took time off to figure things out. When they returned, they apologized for the incident. I told them there was no need to apologize. We hashed it out and had no trouble working together."

This question is designed to determine what you consider a conflict, how you'd confront it, and whether you respond defensively to situational conflict or approach such instances diplomatically, working swiftly towards a communal end goal. The interviewer also hopes to reveal whether you are part of the problem or part of the solution. The question aims to gauge your problem-solving skills and general perception or attitude towards those in positions of authority.

Focus on the situation and solution rather than assigning blame to any one person. Disagreements aren't necessarily negative, but communication can often degrade. Explain the steps you took to clear up any communication breakdowns. Demonstrate mindfulness, empathy, and enhanced communication skills. Taking initiative while remaining emotionally grounded exhibits strong leadership and communication skills.

Did you make any lasting friendships at your previous job?

"I value my relationships with my coworkers on a personal level. We spend a large part of our lives together, after all. We support each other, make each other laugh, and eat lunch together. To accomplish anything in a job, you need your team members to have your back, and you need to have theirs. If you don't have a good rapport with your co-workers, your ability to be great at your job will be limited."

The interviewer is curious about the value you place on the team, assessing whether you're more of an introvert or extrovert and if you understand the importance of developing relationships with your coworkers. Building a rapport with your coworkers enhances effective communication and establishes 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.

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. Think about what's important to you about these relationships. If you aren't a social person, this question may be more challenging to answer. If this is the case, it's fine to acknowledge this, but express that you see value in bonding through socialization.

Are you good at asking for help when you need it?

"I'm good at asking for help when needed, but 'when needed' is subjective. It depends on whether I've exhausted all my resources first. If I was working side by side with someone, and asking for help speeds things up without distracting others from their priorities, of course, I'll ask for help. If I need to ask my supervisor for help and they are busy prioritizing the needs of the team, then I'll take the time to explore it on my own."

This question gauges your work ethic, efficiency, and how self-reliant you are. It serves to determine if you delegate your workload to others and how you prioritize the efficiency of the team over your needs. It will also tell the interviewer if you rely on the team when appropriate and how team-focused you are.

Prioritizing the needs of the team is the name of the game here. Focus on balancing self-sufficiency with using the tools at your disposal. If there is no way to handle a situation on your own, you shouldn't delay asking for help. If you can handle a task on your own, even when that task is undesirable, and it is less of a burden on the team to handle it on your own, even when you prefer not to, then offer that distinction. This exhibits big-picture thinking.

How would you handle undeserved criticism from a superior?

"I've never had any issues taking ownership of my mistakes and learning from them. I'm usually the first to recognize and admit my mistakes. I used to be my own worst critic, but I've learned we're all human, and to make mistakes is human. If someone offers criticism, I take what they have to say to heart. If the criticism doesn't feel constructive or is misplaced, I'll hear what they have to say, observe the situation, and correct the information. When the timing is right and that person isn't feeling defensive, I might offer them some constructive feedback on how to more effectively communicate their message non-defensively."

Your interviewer wants to determine how you respond to feedback or if you are easily offended or defensive. They are also curious if you take responsibility for your actions or are quick to re-assign blame, whether justified or not. Lastly, they are assessing if you have any issues with authority.

In your answer, convey that you can receive criticism in stride towards the betterment of the workplace, systems, and supporting the team. Demonstrate that you have enhanced communication skills. Respectfully taking guidance and direction from your superiors will support your growth.

Why are you leaving your current job?

"I learned a lot from my employer but realized there wasn't enough growth opportunity to reach my goals. The company I'm working for is downsizing and allowed me to fill another role at the company. Unfortunately for both of us, it isn't aligned with my career goals. I'm grateful for the experience and what I learned along the way, but I decided I wanted to move my career forward, and I couldn't do that in that position. Although they're sad to see me go, I do this with my current employer's blessing, which is great because I forged a lot of great relationships there, and I've always been the type to build bridges rather than burn them."

The interviewer wants to know your backstory, whether you quit or were let go. If you quit, they want to know why you did so before lining up another job. If you're still employed, they'll want to know why you are considering a different job. Loyalty is a desired trait among any employee.

Focus on your career growth, career advancement, and career development and explain that you are seeking opportunities more aligned with your core values. Saying that the job you're applying for could boost your career as your reason for pursuing the position reveals the possibility of a mutually beneficial opportunity.

How many other jobs are you applying for?

"Yes, I am active in my job search and in the final interview stages with another organization. I believe with any project, it's important to remain flexible and keep all options open until a commitment is made. Integrity is one of my core values. I approach a job search as I would any project. I need to stay organized, implement systems to ensure I am successful in my goals, and manage my time well, keeping an eye out for all viable positions with great organizations that feel like a good fit for everyone involved. I can assure you that this role would be a top choice for me if offered."

If asked this question during your interview, your interviewer is curious how pressed you are to land a job and whether they're your first choice. They understand job hunting is a numbers game, but they need you to understand they don't want to hire someone who is just looking for any job. They need assurances that you want to work for them, and they want to know why.

Although you are not obligated to give them a number, honesty is always best when asked this question. Keep an organized folder with every customized resume and cover letter you've submitted to each position you are interviewing for. The interviewer will have something similar for all the applicants they are interviewing. Have tabs separating your notes for each interview with a breakdown of the pro and cons of each employer. Detail, for your eyes only, what each of them offers you and what you offer them. This will make you look like an organized professional who takes all of your prospects seriously. This will market you as a viable candidate and puts a little bit of fire under the hiring manager if they are aware that you are actively looking for a new position and you come across as a viable candidate. Feel free to talk with the interviewer about your search so far, and don't hesitate to let them know that a role with them is at the top of your wishlist.

Give us an example of a time you worked with someone with a starkly different personality from yours.

"Everybody I've ever worked with had a unique personality. I've worked with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds and gotten along with people from all walks of life and perspectives. No two people have the same experience or background. I treat everyone as I would a friend."

The interviewer is familiar with your hard skills from your resume, but soft skills are more difficult to gauge. Knowledge and experience are valuable, but the interviewer is responsible for ensuring you'll perform well under stress and get along with your fellow employees. This question gauges your level of comfort in working with others from backgrounds different than your own. Most leading companies in any industry understand that to foster innovation to compete in an ever-changing world, talent needs to be drawn across boundaries. This requires everyone within their organization to have a high degree of cultural competence. Your confidence while answering this question will demonstrate how well you'd fit into the culture of their brand.

Formulate your answer in a way that conveys you thrive in a team environment. Show that you are professional, flexible, and a friend to all. Speak sincerely about your open-mindedness and being a universally inclusive person. When discussing inclusion, demonstrate empathy and acceptance. On even the most inherently human level, we are all driven by the same basic needs and unifying experiences. Focus on the unifiers. Communicate clearly.

What questions do you have for me?

"I have always thought that the number one function of any job is to make the jobs of my superiors easier. So, I'd be interested to know what an average day looks like for this position once onboarding and orientation are complete and anything else about the position that isn't detailed in the job posting."

This question will allow the interviewer not only assess your genuine active interest in working for them but also determine whether you are the type of person to ask questions when training for a new job. The more questions you ask, the more enhanced your communications skills will seem, and the more likely you are to be self-guided and successful at your job.

You are interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. They've provided opportunities to share your accomplishments and advertise your merits. This is your opportunity to allow them to propose their pitch and advertise their merits and what they offer, allowing them the opportunity to convince you this is a great opportunity.Don't ask about pay, incentives, benefits, or anything that serves you. You haven't sealed the deal, so don't blow it by asking what else they can give you. This will indicate that you're only in it for the money and that your goals and values are not at all aligned with theirs.

What would you do if a colleague takes credit for your idea and got a promotion?

"Anyone who gets promoted is likely promoted for more than one idea. Chances are, they already earned that promotion, and I think I'd be happy for them. I would discreetly wait for a good time to give them a chance to explain. There are two sides to every story. First, I'd need to collect as much data as possible. Then I'd need to evaluate what winning in such a situation looks like. Whichever course of action serves the greater good would be the appropriate course of action. Luckily, I trust the intentions of my team, and this hasn't happened to me."

This question will aid the interviewer in assessing the level of your emotional maturity and how well you deal with disputes on your own. If you haven't tried to communicate with your fellow team members to resolve disputes on your own, this may indicate you won't work well in a team environment.

Avoid describing a time you went straight to management and handed this problem to them to solve, distracting them from their work. Use an example of a time you attempted to resolve the situation on your own by investigating what happened, rather than immediately assuming the worst in the other person. A team works together. Describe what you learned from that exchange and what you did with that knowledge.When working in a team, everyone should work together and always be given the benefit of the doubt. A team leader dropping their work to deal with disputes will hinder their progress and timelines and hurt the functionality of the team. Additionally, assuming the worst in another team member and gossiping about how you feel you were wronged will only hurt the team's morale.

You have a major project due, but an emergency that affects business needs to be immediately addressed. What do you do?

"I was working on a time-sensitive project as an assistant manager when they offered me a management position in another department with some nice incentives. They needed me to start my new position immediately. The new leadership that replaced me in my old department was being challenged. They reached out with lots of questions, lacking confidence in their new role. Suddenly, I had too many things going on. I realized I effectively had to pass the torch and put in some significant overtime developing training manuals with extensive details on all the resources so they could effectively finish the project with minimal supervision. In short order, I got everyone up to speed. Deciding how much you can accomplish should never be based on stress. It should be based on quantifiable measures and organizational skills."

This question evaluates your time management skills and assesses your ability to distinguish between urgent and important tasks. It will help the interviewer determine whether you prioritize your needs above that of the team and what you consider a significant obstacle and evaluates whether you have a broad scope of the big picture or a more narrowed, focused view. They're also curious if you have trouble breaking away from the one task you are working on or if, when a more urgent situation arises, you can set your personal preferences aside for the greater good. How relevant your example is to the job you're interviewing for and what you learned from the experience will help them gauge the level of your ambition and evaluate your time management skills. Your answer to this question allows the interviewer to get an idea of how you'd manage and complete your work assignments should they hire you for the job and will help them find out whether you're a good fit for the advertised position.

Break down how you prioritize the greater need, your systems approach to tracking your progress, and your ability to pick up where you left off. Highlight how your time management skills, organizational skills, and written and oral communication skills aided in establishing your priorities on the job. Keep your example relevant to the kinds of challenges an employee of the Department of Water Resources might face. Exhibit emotional maturity and leadership skills to make yourself more appealing.

Talk about a time you took on a leadership role.

"I organized a march for environmental conservation and global warming awareness. My work included obtaining the permits, spreading awareness, and organizing the march's route. It was a lot more work than I anticipated. I had to write a speech and make many signs. I'm proud to say the march was a success. It was peaceful and made headlines."

With this question, your interviewer is trying to find out whether you have leadership skills or are reluctant to lead. They are also interested in learning what drove you to rise to the occasion and how effective your leadership is.

If you haven't held a leadership position or are lacking in leadership experience, think about what leadership looks like to you. Think about leaders you admire. Choose an example where you were a key partner with other key team players and tapped into your leadership potential.

How do you stay up to date with the industry?

"I stay up to date through reading and research. I subscribe to a lot of periodicals. I also like to meet with other professionals in my field to share new information and ideas."

This question is often used to determine how serious or passionate you are about your career, whether you pursued this career or just fell into it, and how you go above and beyond in your job. The interviewer wants to know if you can talk the talk and walk the walk, the level of your knowledge of your industry, and how up-to-date you are.

It's wise to present yourself as a proactive worker rather than a reactive follower. Exhibit a growth mindset at all times throughout the interview. If you take advantage of learning through continuing education credits, seminars, conferences, journals, or other means of staying educated in your line of work, let them know. This could lead to a conversation with the interviewer. Establishing a rapport with your interviewer translates to a likelihood of doing the same with the members of their team with an eagerness to share industry knowledge.

How do you think this interview is going so far?

"I feel this interview has gone well, and I'm happy with my performance. I think there might have been a few answers that might have been confusing, based on some of your reactions. Is there anything that I can clarify for you?"

How you answer this question will give the interviewer insights into your confidence, self-perception, and attention to detail. It offers you an opportunity to circle back to previous questions you could have elaborated on more. Your answer will also demonstrate how effective your communication skills are.

Be honest and confident in your answer. Your answer could serve to demonstrate you're an active listener and that you pay attention to details. Soft skills, such as empathy and the ability to adapt your communication style to a variety of personality types are desirable traits in any candidate. Also, pay attention to the details throughout the interview process. Pay attention to the interviewer's body language, tone, and facial cues. Your observational skills in this regard could be seen as an asset as well. If you feel you've left out any relevant information, be sure to mention it. Lastly, avoid asking the interviewer how they think you are doing so far. You'll come across as insecure. This defeats the purpose of the question.

How do you cope with a stressful day?

"Life is full of stressful situations, but you should never let stress get the best of you. If you respond to the stress and not the situation, you end up more stressed and less able to solve the problem at hand. I try to identify and diffuse stress triggers right away and explore the reality behind the perception that triggered that stress response. This helps me overcome any stress and allows me more flexibility to develop a plan. Stressful situations are sometimes avoidable; sometimes they are not. I cope with stress by learning how to limit its frequency or duration. I deal with stress by being mindful to respond rather than react."

Any interview process is a costly affair for any employer, considering the payroll hours invested in screening applicants, interviewing, onboarding, and training. If they're short-staffed, other employees may pick up the slack and burn out faster. This affects morale and decreases productivity. So the interviewer must ensure the person they choose can handle stress, and won't bring their personal issues to work. How you answer this question will offer the interviewer insights into how you cope with stress either at work or at home.

How you answer this question will offer the interviewer insight into how you handle stress and how well you manage your time. If you feel overwhelmed at work because of poor time management, you might bring more stress home from work, not sleep well, and not perform at your best. If you are stressed out in your personal life, it could affect your performance at work. They're ascertaining your natural ability to balance these two spheres. If an employee is stressed out at work, they'll burn out faster. The interviewer wants to know how you achieve that balance without being governed by chaos.

Tell me about something you're really proud of. Why?

"Every year, I look at my five-year career plan and revise it. Each time I look back, I consider how far I've come to achieve those goals as my greatest professional accomplishment. I can say with all honesty, being here, in this interview, is my greatest professional accomplishment to date."

This question aims to evaluate what you take pride in, thereby providing insights into your personality, values, what motivates you, and how they'd place you in their team. This will allow the interviewer to compare you to the other applicants in the interview pool. It will also indicate the level of your work experience in the industry.

It is okay to brag a little when answering this question. Be proud, yet humble. Exhibit pride in your career accomplishments. Even if your example is on your resume, feel free to use it and explain why this accomplishment stands out. Explain everything that went into it, how this falls in line with the career milestones towards your goals, and why you regard it as a success in your personal development, aligning these accomplishments with the role you are contending for. If possible, present yourself as an innovator with a unique lens toward outside-of-the-box thinking.

Tell me about a time you made a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it?

"I was compiling a report, and there was missing information I needed from a supervisor who was out on leave. I used unconventional sources, old records, and archived information from data entry. From those, I found several pieces of a puzzle I could piece together. I could almost complete the picture, filling in the blanks and guessing the missing pieces in a way that ensured me I was close enough. Once I could do that, I could quantify the suspected missing data from other sources, which proved to be correct. It only pushed back our timeline by one day, still well within meeting our deadline for the project."

This question is intended to reveal how resourceful you are, your capacity for innovation through taking calculated risks, and your ability to improve workflow and implement systems while protecting the company's assets. It also evaluates whether you respect the chain of command and your awareness of the bigger picture. For some, taking risks comes naturally. Others might take risks compulsively, which could be costly for an individual, a family, or a company. Others are risk-averse, maintaining the status quo. This question tests your propensity towards innovation.

Using the STAR method, which stands for Situation/Task/Action/Result, explain why you lacked the information you needed (the situation). Explain how this hindered your progress (the task). Describe how you navigated the situation and moved forward (the action), the outcome of your course correction, and the feedback you received (the result). Tell the interviewer what inspired you to take the approach you took and how you achieved a positive outcome. When delivering your example, present yourself as someone who takes calculated risks as opposed to someone who is a habitual risk-taker. Avoid providing examples where you went outside of the chain of command or the approach you took failed. This will only serve as a red flag and present you as a liability.

Tell me about a time you failed. How did you react?

"Early in my career, I had an overwhelming project. I suffered task paralysis and did not know where to begin. A coworker suggested I tackle the biggest aspect of the project first since that was what I felt most daunted by. It was good general advice, and I listened to it, even though this caused me to lose focus on the priorities of the project. Just about every other aspect of the project held a greater priority. As a result, I didn't manage my time right and should have approached the project differently. I promised my supervisors I'd beat my deadline by a week. I missed that target. I delivered on time, within minutes of my deadline but saw it as a personal failure since I didn't exceed it. I never made the mistake of over-promising and under-delivering again."

The interviewer wants to determine how you deal with personal setbacks, whether you take ownership of your mistakes, and what you've learned from them. Deflecting blame or presenting yourself as a victim will serve as a red flag, whereas seeing everything as a growth opportunity and learning from mistakes are traits of a desirable candidate.

Focus on the learning experience and what you did to get as close to success as possible, while prioritizing the needs of the team over your personal success. Keep your example relevant to the position you're competing for. Break down the positive takeaways from the situation and the measures you took to set yourself up for success moving forward.

Talk about a goal you set for yourself. What did you do to ensure you reached that goal?

"When I first developed my five-year career plan when I started college, I found myself adjusting it every day. Then, it was every week. Soon, I was adjusting it every month and redrawing the plan from scratch every year. Before long, my time management skill substantially improved. I found I didn't need to readjust my plan as often and started meeting my goals with increased frequency. I think now I am consistent in delivering. The secret to my success is flexibility and adaptability. I never give up. I just adapt and adjust."

This question seeks to evaluate your time management skills as well as your systems approach or work style towards project management. Your interviewer wants to determine if you'll be able to meet the demands of your workplace.

Offer a real-life example from your past. Prepare your answer in advance. Your communication skills, your time management skills, and your project management skills should seem like second nature. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate how you walk the walk and talk the talk.

Tell me about a time your mood altered your performance (positively or negatively).

"I am happy-go-lucky and have a glass half full. I've worked with negative energy personalities, and you know what they say is true. Misery loves company. If I'm ever feeling low or discouraged, I have several tricks I employ to turn my mood around and maintain a can-do attitude."

This behavioral question aims to gauge your level of emotional maturity. Everyone's moods affect the workplace. Someone with mood swings may not only negatively impact their own productivity but also the productivity of those around them. Someone with a negative outlook on life might negatively impact the outlook of those they work with closely. This question aims to answer what kind of emotional impact you might have in their work environment.

Focus on the positives. The most desirable quality is a positive, optimistic outlook that brings vitality to the team. Acknowledge the validity of this question and demonstrate an understanding of its nature. This could serve to exhibit big-picture forward-thinking.

Did you consider yourself a team player?

"I can work solo or collaboratively and switch back and forth with no problem. Even when I work alone, I consider myself part of a team. Understanding how what I do fits into the bigger picture helps me meet deadlines and maintain focus on the impact my quality of work has on the team. Whatever work I do, I'm always focused on how what I do impacts the success of my team."

This seems like a straightforward question with only one right answer, but the question is engineered to reveal your attitude through your choice of words. Simply saying yes and saying you are a team player does not communicate that you embrace a collaborative team mentality. Sharing your team mentality through your philosophy towards innovation through collaboration communicates to the interviewer your understanding of the big-picture of this question.

Focus on how every aspect of a business is a team effort. Even when someone's job is a solitary endeavor, that one person's efforts can affect the outcome of other departments. Most companies have a brand, and most brands foster a brand culture in their work environment. Every person in that environment is part of one team, whether they actively work with others or not.

Department of Water Resources Interview Questions

Go Back

1. What's your top strength?
2. What is your biggest weakness?
3. Where do you see yourself in five years?
4. What would your previous employer tell us about you?
5. What are your top values?
6. Do you prefer to work alone or with others?
7. Who inspires you and why?
8. How do you spend your spare time?
9. How do you create balance in your life?
10. Tell me about yourself.
11. Tell me about a time you faced conflict while working as part of a team.
12. Did you make any lasting friendships at your previous job?
13. Are you good at asking for help when you need it?
14. How would you handle undeserved criticism from a superior?
15. Why are you leaving your current job?
16. How many other jobs are you applying for?
17. Give us an example of a time you worked with someone with a starkly different personality from yours.
18. What questions do you have for me?
19. What would you do if a colleague takes credit for your idea and got a promotion?
20. You have a major project due, but an emergency that affects business needs to be immediately addressed. What do you do?
21. Talk about a time you took on a leadership role.
22. How do you stay up to date with the industry?
23. How do you think this interview is going so far?
24. How do you cope with a stressful day?
25. Tell me about something you're really proud of. Why?
26. Tell me about a time you made a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it?
27. Tell me about a time you failed. How did you react?
28. Talk about a goal you set for yourself. What did you do to ensure you reached that goal?
29. Tell me about a time your mood altered your performance (positively or negatively).
30. Did you consider yourself a team player?

Department of Water Resources Interview Questions

1. What's your top strength?

2. What is your biggest weakness?

3. Where do you see yourself in five years?

4. What would your previous employer tell us about you?

5. What are your top values?

6. Do you prefer to work alone or with others?

7. Who inspires you and why?

8. How do you spend your spare time?

9. How do you create balance in your life?

10. Tell me about yourself.

11. Tell me about a time you faced conflict while working as part of a team.

12. Did you make any lasting friendships at your previous job?

13. Are you good at asking for help when you need it?

14. How would you handle undeserved criticism from a superior?

15. Why are you leaving your current job?

16. How many other jobs are you applying for?

17. Give us an example of a time you worked with someone with a starkly different personality from yours.

18. What questions do you have for me?

19. What would you do if a colleague takes credit for your idea and got a promotion?

20. You have a major project due, but an emergency that affects business needs to be immediately addressed. What do you do?

21. Talk about a time you took on a leadership role.

22. How do you stay up to date with the industry?

23. How do you think this interview is going so far?

24. How do you cope with a stressful day?

25. Tell me about something you're really proud of. Why?

26. Tell me about a time you made a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it?

27. Tell me about a time you failed. How did you react?

28. Talk about a goal you set for yourself. What did you do to ensure you reached that goal?

29. Tell me about a time your mood altered your performance (positively or negatively).

30. Did you consider yourself a team player?