What does integrity mean to you?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
What You Need to Know
Experienced Example

Often, when an interviewer asks questions such as these, they are asking whether you are aware of what the heart of that question means to them. For example, integrity is one of their core values and is their number one guiding principle for their code of conduct. So, your interviewer wants to know whether you are aware of why this is an important question to ask and whether you can demonstrate how you already embrace this value and can articulate how. "Communicate the value of integrity."

"Our Values: Integrity - The trust of our readers is essential. We renew that trust every day through the actions and judgment of all our employees, in our journalism, in our workplace and in public. Our Code of Conduct helps make sure that everyone at The Times understands what it means to act with integrity and the expectations and responsibilities that come with it. Our commitment to integrity: Every day, from all around the world, you work tirelessly to deliver on our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world. When it comes to earning and keeping the trust of our readers, partners and colleagues, it is our value of integrity that demands that we hold our work, and ourselves, to the highest standards. Lead by demonstrating commitment to our values and upholding our ethical standards."

"In short, I would say that integrity in the simplest terms is automatically doing the right thing. If that is your instinct, you have integrity. It is what makes you dependable and trustworthy. It is being true to your word, and only speaking with authority when you know what you are talking about, with the facts close to your chest."

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How to Answer: What does integrity mean to you?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a The New York Times job interview.

3. What does integrity mean to you?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Often, when an interviewer asks questions such as these, they are asking whether you are aware of what the heart of that question means to them. For example, integrity is one of their core values and is their number one guiding principle for their code of conduct. So, your interviewer wants to know whether you are aware of why this is an important question to ask and whether you can demonstrate how you already embrace this value and can articulate how. "Communicate the value of integrity."

Written by Samantha Brown on January 14th, 2024

What You Need to Know

"Our Values: Integrity - The trust of our readers is essential. We renew that trust every day through the actions and judgment of all our employees, in our journalism, in our workplace and in public. Our Code of Conduct helps make sure that everyone at The Times understands what it means to act with integrity and the expectations and responsibilities that come with it. Our commitment to integrity: Every day, from all around the world, you work tirelessly to deliver on our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world. When it comes to earning and keeping the trust of our readers, partners and colleagues, it is our value of integrity that demands that we hold our work, and ourselves, to the highest standards. Lead by demonstrating commitment to our values and upholding our ethical standards."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 22nd, 2023

Experienced Example

"In short, I would say that integrity in the simplest terms is automatically doing the right thing. If that is your instinct, you have integrity. It is what makes you dependable and trustworthy. It is being true to your word, and only speaking with authority when you know what you are talking about, with the facts close to your chest."

Written by Kevin Downey on December 23rd, 2023

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