Give an example of a time you showed integrity on the job or in your personal life.
Integrity means 'being honest and having strong moral principles.' The interviewer wants to see how you exercise integrity in your work and personal life. The goal of your response is to give a brief example of a time you exercised integrity.
"I aim to show integrity in all that I do, whether or not anyone sees me make the right decision. (Situation) For instance, at Company XYZ, I had a client who incurred charges for their order for six months. Nobody else on the team seemed to have noticed the error. (Task) I could have let it go and kept collecting a commission on the double charges; however, that is not an act of integrity. (Action) Instead, I brought the matter to our accounting department. (Result) Accounting credited my client's account with the overage. Shortly after, the client sent me an email thanking me for my honesty and diligence. It felt wonderful to do the right thing."
"To have integrity is to do the right thing, even when nobody is watching. (Situation) When I was in university, I received a higher grade on my transcript than I earned. (Task) I value integrity, so I immediately knew I needed to be honest about the error. I was determined to start my career off right - through complete honesty. (Action) I brought the typo to the attention of my administrator, who then had the grade reversed. (Result) I could have taken credit, but I didn't earn that grade. My school was very thankful for my honesty, and I even received a note of thanks from the Dean."
Avoid making over-inflated statements such as, 'I do the right thing 100% of the time.' Everyone has flaws, and the interviewer isn't looking for moral perfection. They are, however, looking for a story-based example of your integrity in action.
The interviewer is asking you to be a storyteller. You can 'give an example of a time when...' by forming a brief story using the STAR method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. This framework will ensure that you provide the interviewer with the best information and detail to form a memorable answer. Be sure to include details, such as why you chose to do the right thing and how it made you feel to display the quality of integrity.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
An associate shared she was resigning due to unsavory behavior in the dept. I looked into the matter confirmed that it was, in fact, occurring. I raised the issue with my leader and my peer. Both were initially affronted by the fact that this claim was coming to light. I confirmed that since the person was resigning, there was no reason for her to lie. We installed cameras as a preventative tactic.
Rachelle's Feedback
It speaks a lot about your character and professionalism that you looked into the issue, showing the associate that you cared about what they were saying, even though they were resigning. A very good example of integrity!
Anonymous Answer
As a university student, you are constantly being tempted to cheat on homework and exams. Last semester, when classes went online, a group of my friends decided to get together and take the exam together. I decided to take it alone even though it might mean getting a lower grade. It made me feel good after, knowing that I turned in a piece of work that was solely my own thinking. I also take pride in knowing that I apply my morals to different facets of my life.
Stephanie's Feedback
This is an excellent example of how integrity has shown up in your personal life, but this question also asks how you've shown integrity on the job. You should strengthen your answer by providing a specific example of how you have exhibited integrity in the context of a workplace.
Integrity is important in all aspects of my life. As a university student, it can be tempting to cheat on homework and exams. Last semester, when classes went online, a group of my friends decided to get together to take the exam. I stayed true to my values by taking the exam alone, even though it might mean me getting a lower grade. It made me feel good to know that I turned in a piece of work that was solely my own thinking. Another example of how I've shown integrity was ar work....(etc, etc)
Anonymous Answer
On the job, showing a key opinion leader in an account that they were overusing our product which was causing wastage to the consumer on the receiving end.
In my personal life is the same as in my business life, every time I get more change than I need back or if I see someone drop currency on the floor, I am quick to give it back.
Cindy's Feedback
Great example! By protecting the client, you're also creating loyalty to the company. Nice work.
Anonymous Answer
Role model integrity in my personal and professional life is most important and I am very clear about my own values and high standard of integrity which always inspires others to trust and follow me as a leader.
"Once officially I traveled to Egypt and my entitlements were Actual 50 per day. At that time I was carrying travel cheques and cash, on return, I return 2700 as balance. My manager and finance manager told me that you should keep the amount since this is leftover from the daily allowance. Being honest and by virtue of my own principles, in reality, organizations trust me to spend money on an actual basis and balance money has to return back to the organization.
Marcie's Feedback
Wow! This is an impressive example that definitely shows your integrity and honesty. The interviewer will undoubtedly be happy to hear that you are trustworthy. Nice job!
Anonymous Answer
I aim to have integrity in all that I do, whether anyone sees me make the right decision or not. For instance, I recently had a patient with an in-network insurance benefit for hearing aids. As an out-of-network provider, I knew he could get them for a better price elsewhere. He was so appreciative of my honesty and information that he ended up buying the hearing aids from our practice anyway. My integrity is important to me, especially as I expect those around me to be honest and trustworthy.
Chad's Feedback
Excellent answer! You have provided a strong example of how you have exercised integrity in your career. However, be sure to answer the full question by also providing an example of a time you showed integrity in your personal life. This will reassure the interviewer that you are honest and have strong moral principles.
Anonymous Answer
Integrity is all about being honest and having a strong moral compass. Doing the right thing, even when you know you could cheat and get away with it. A nursing home getting tins on prescription for use in food, much more expensive but better for my sales. Made them aware don't need to use for food can buy alternatives for cheaper. This would reduce my sales but be better for the home and GP and speech therapists. In my personal life, I was on the tube in London and a lady left her bag on the tube, I tried to shout after her to make her aware but she didn't hear me or chose not to. Everyone seemed a little panicked about a bag left on the tube, I decided to take a note of the train and carriage and when leaving the station told TFL about the bag so they could go and access it. Either way, the lady could get her bag back, or I know I didn't stand by and put other passengers at risk if I didn't report it.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! You've given two exceptional examples here of times when you've displayed your integrity. Did being honest with the nursing home folks end up garnering you more trust (and/or future sales) that you could mention? Good job!
Anonymous Answer
Customer billing
Just on Sunday, my child had something in their hand after we paid for several items. I asked if we already paid for that and she couldn't answer so I went back and paid for it to make sure. Also, in my divorce, my ex-wife did not know much about the business and I paid her fairly versus playing some games some businessmen do.
Stephanie's Feedback
The example of going back and paying for an item your child took is an excellent example of integrity! Many parents might feel tired and overwhelmed at the moment and might not opt to pay, but it's clear that you're prioritizing honesty and integrity over your own convenience. My only suggestion for improvement is to remove the reference to your divorce and your ex-wife. Although it's obviously great that you treated her fairly, I suggest leaving personal life details (example: divorce) out of the interview process, as it can cause unintentional bias for an interviewer.
Anonymous Answer
Integrity is of the utmost importance to me. At a previous company was in a situation where we had a tight timeline from corporate to deliver a new product to market. I was leading a team to develop the product which includes testing and documentation to show the product meets specific standards. There were delays in the development and the product testing had not been completed. I was encouraged to sign off on the testing to meet the department goals even though testing had not been completed. I communicated that I was not comfortable moving forward with sign-off and that our target date would not be met, but made a proposal to expedite the completion and testing to deliver the product as soon as possible.
Stephanie's Feedback
This is an excellent specific example, but you should develop this response a bit further to share more about the outcome. What happened as a result of this situation?
Unlock all 30 Gallup questions
Unlock expert responses for strengths-based and competency-focused Gallup interviews.
Get Started