If you’re interviewing for a new role, employers may ask you questions about your judgment abilities. These questions may test your ability to solve complex problems, make decisions based on ethics and understand other people. Learning about these questions can give you the chance to prepare answers for similar types of questions.In this article, we discuss nine general judgment interview questions, provide nine questions about your background and experience using your judgment abilities, give examples of six in-depth questions about judgment and explore three additional questions with sample responses.
9 general judgment interview questions
Can you give me an example of when you used logic to solve a complex problem?
Can you give me an example of when your natural human intuition led you to the correct decision?
What’s been your most memorable accomplishment at work?
How do you go about creating major life goals?
Judgment Interview Questions And Answers
9 judgment interview questions about background and experience
Here are some interview questions about your experience and background using good judgment:
6 in-depth judgment interview questions
Here are some additional interview questions that go more in-depth about your judgment abilities:
3 judgment interview questions with sample answers
Here are some more interview questions about judgment with examples of responses you can make to them:
How can you improve your judgment of others’ character, values, integrity and motives?
Employers may ask this question to gain insight into how you think about character, values, integrity and motives and the strategies you use to improve your judgment abilities. In your answer, be conscious of inclusivity and diversity while explaining how you improve your ability to judge others.
Example:“I typically use critical thinking and emotional intelligence exercises to improve my judgment skills of other people. This may include taking courses in empathetic leadership or watching documentaries on complex human issues.
I am an optimistic person and I believe most people gain motivation and develop values from ethical and positive sources. It is helpful to learn about your differences so you can be flexible in working with others whose values, goals and motives are different from yours.”
Employees are required to make work-related decisions about either regular tasks or unexpected situations on a daily basis. For example, designers might need to choose between two logos, developers may have to decide which feature to implement first and hiring managers might need to select between two or more qualified candidates.
Decisions – both good and bad – have an impact on the entire company. Good decision-makers:
Evaluate circumstances, consider alternatives and weigh pros and cons.
Use critical-thinking skills to reach objective conclusions.
Are able to make decisions under pressure.
Opt for a “problem-solving” attitude, as opposed to a “that’s not my job” approach.
Help teams overcome obstacles.
Decision-making interview questions will help you identify potential hires with sound judgement. Test how candidates analyze data and predict the outcome of each option before making a decision. Also, keep in mind that in some cases a creative decision that breaks from the norm could prove to be innovative and more effective than a traditional approach.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS / PROBLEM SOLVING
Describe the project or situation that best demonstrates your analytical abilities. What was your role?
Tell me about a time when you had to analyze information and make a recommendation. What kind of thought process did you go through? Was the recommendation accepted? If not, why?
Tell me about a situation where you had to solve a difficult problem. What did you do? What was the outcome? What do you wish you had done differently?
What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision? Why?
What process do you use to check that you have the right details from a customer?
Give me an example of a time you discovered an error that been overlooked by a colleague. What did you do? What was the outcome?
Tell me about a time that you were confused by a customer’s request. What steps did you take to clarify things?
CLIENT FOCUS / CUSTOMER ORIENTATION
When have you had to deal with an irate customer? What did you do? How did the situation end up?
Tell me about a time you have “inherited” a customer. What steps did you take to establish rapport with them? What did you do to gain their trust?
How have you handled a situation in the past where your client has changed the brief or “changed the goalposts”?
Give an example of a time you went well out of your way to ensure a customer received the best possible service from you and organisation. What was their reaction?
When have you ever gone out on a limb to defend a customer? What happened?
Tell me about a recent successful experience in making a speech or presentation?
When have you had to present to a group of people with little or no preparation? What obstacles did you face? How did you handle them?
Have you ever had to “sell” an idea to your co-workers? How did you do it?
Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
What obstacles or difficulties have you ever faced in communicating your ideas to a manager?
Tell me about a time in which you had to use your written communication skills in order to get an important point across.
When have you chosen to communicate a particular message in person as opposed to via email even though the email channel would have been a lot faster?
When was the last time you thought “outside the box” and how did you do it? Why?
Tell me about a problem that you’ve solved in a unique or unusual way. What was the outcome? Were you happy or satisfied with it?
Give me an example of when someone brought you a new idea that was odd or unusual. What did you do?
When have you brought an innovative idea into your team? How was it received?
Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it?
Give me an example of a time when you had to be quick in coming to a decision. What obstacles did you face?
What is the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make at work? How did you arrive at your decision? What was the result?
Give me an example of a business decision you made that you ultimately regretted. What happened?
Give me an example of an important career goal which you set yourself and tell me how you reached it. What obstacles did you encounter? How did you overcome the obstacles?
Tell me about a professional goal that you set that you did not reach. How did it make you feel?
How have you gone about setting short-term goals and long-term goals for yourself or your team? What steps did you take along the way to keep yourself accountable?
Describe a project or idea (not necessarily your own) that was implemented primarily because of your efforts. What was your role? What was the outcome?
Describe a situation in which you recognized a potential problem as an opportunity. What did you do? What was the result? What, if anything, do you wish you had done differently?
Tell me about a project you initiated. What did you do? Why? What was the outcome? Were you happy with the result?
Tell me about a time when your initiative caused a change to occur.
What has been the best idea you have come up with during your professional career?
Discuss a time when your integrity was challenged. How did you handle it?
Tell me about a time when you experienced a loss for doing what is right. How did you react?
Tell me about a business situation when you felt honesty was inappropriate. Why? What did you do?
Give a specific example of a policy you conformed to with which you did not agree. Why?
Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. How/why was this person difficult? How did you handle it? How did the relationship progress?
Describe a situation where you found yourself dealing with someone who didn’t like you. How did you handle it?
Describe a recent unpopular decision you made. How was it received? How did you handle it?
What, in your opinion, are the key ingredients in guiding and maintaining successful business relationships? Give me examples of how you have made these work for you.
Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa). How did you handle the situation?
Tell me about a time when you had to work on a team with someone you did not get along with. What happened?
Describe a situation where you had a conflict with another individual, and how you dealt with it. What was the outcome? How did you feel about it?
Tell me about a team project when you had to take charge of the project? What did you do? What was the result?
Describe a leadership role of yours outside of work. Why did you commit your time to it? How did you feel about it?
What is the toughest group that you have ever had to lead? What were the obstacles? How did you handle the situation?
What has been your greatest leadership achievement in a professional environment? Talk through the steps you took to reach it.
What have been the greatest obstacles you have faced in building/growing a team?
Describe a time when you have not only been responsible for leading a team of people but for also doing the same job as your team members? How did you juggle/balance your time?
FAQ
How do you demonstrate a good judgement in an interview?
Good decision-makers:
Evaluate circumstances, consider alternatives and weigh pros and cons.
Use critical-thinking skills to reach objective conclusions.
Are able to make decisions under pressure.
Opt for a “problem-solving” attitude, as opposed to a “that’s not my job” approach.
Help teams overcome obstacles.
How do you demonstrate judgement skills?
Here are some examples of judgment skills:
Analytical thinking. …
Decision-making. …
Ethics. …
Be aware of your personal bias. …
Be an active listener. …
Accept your mistakes. …
Learn from experience. …
Practice your judgment skills.
What is an example of using good judgement?
Making good choices despite not knowing all the pieces of the puzzle is an opportunity to demonstrate good judgment. For example, you learn that there is increasing interest from policymakers to pass a law that would impose greater restrictions on your product.
How do you prepare for a situational judgement interview question?
An effective way of preparing for situational interview questions is using the STAR method (situation, task, action and result). This is a general outline, consisting of four steps, that allows you to answer questions concisely and comprehensively.
