Avoid telling the interviewer that you do not know what taking the initiative means or that you do not take the initiative at work and wait to be told what to do. Most companies are looking for employees who will act without being told and step up to the plate when they see something that needs to be done. Taking the initiative shows the interviewer that you have a strong work ethic without asking about your work ethic.

"I worked as a woodworker in my previous job, and I took the initiative and developed a training manual for new employees. The company was hiring Woodworkers fresh out of high school, and most of them had little to no experience. The company did not have much of a training program other than showing the new hires a video about operating the machinery. I noticed many of the employees seemed uncomfortable operating the saws, planers, and lathes, and I was worried they would hurt themselves. I developed a training manual for each piece of machinery with a step-by-step guide for operating it. After I presented the training manual to my supervisor, she asked if I would be interested in working as the Training and Safety Coordinator for the company, and I was promoted for my efforts."