Assertiveness is the ability to maturely express one’s feelings and opinions in spite of disagreement; accurately communicate to others regardless of their status or position.
- Behavioral Interview Question: “Some of the best business ideas come from an individual’s ability to challenge others’ ways of thinking in a mature way. Tell me about a time when you were successful in challenging others’ ideas. What does this say about your ability to be assertive?”
Evaluating the candidate’s answer: Did the candidate honestly, persistently, and tactfully challenge the other person’s idea? Was there aggression/anger/abuse or withdrawal/dependency/ submissiveness? - Behavioral Interview Question: “It is realistic to say that no job is completely free of conflict. Tell me about a time when you were able to express your opinions maturely in spite of disagreements or objections.”
Evaluating the candidate’s answer: Did the candidate directly state an opinion without having been abusive/harsh/apologetic/defensive? Was there an emotional expression of an opinion or failure to express an opinion to avoid conflict? - Behavioral Interview Question: “Some situations require us to express ideas/opinions in a very tactful and careful way. Tell me about a time when you were successful with this particular skill.”
Evaluating the candidate’s answer: Did the candidate communicate with clarity and directness, and without evidence of negative feelings? Was there evidence or expression of negative feelings such as aggression or withdrawal, which interfered with effective communication? - Behavioral Interview Question: “Describe a time when you had to sell an idea to your boss, authority figure, or technical expert.”
Evaluating the candidate’s answer: Did the candidate make an honest, well-planned presentation including benefit statements, responses to objections, and guidance to a decision? Was there dislike for selling an idea, dishonesty/distortion, and/or either withdrawal/passivity or bragging/pressure? - Behavioral Interview Question: “Describe a time when you communicated something unpleasant or difficult to say to your manager or work team. How did you assert yourself?”
Evaluating the candidate’s answer: Did the candidate accurately and tactfully express a fact/opinion on a sensitive/important issue? Was there avoidance of an issue, passive aggression, and/or an aggressive/tactless presentation? - Behavioral Interview Question: “Give me an example of a time when you had to be assertive in giving directions to others.”
Evaluating the candidate’s answer: Did the candidate give firm, clear direction, perhaps with concern for another’s feelings? Was there an emotional reaction such as anger or anxiety? - Behavioral Interview Question: “Tell me about a time when your job required you to say, maturely, how you really felt about a situation. What did you say and how did you say it?”
Evaluating the candidate’s answer: Did the candidate present a feeling honestly and tactfully? Was there a negative feeling such as anger/ fear/anxiety/depression that interfered with mature communications? - Behavioral Interview Question: “Sometimes it is important to disagree with others, particularly your boss or team members, in order to keep a mistake from being made. Tell me about a time when you were willing to disagree with another person in order to build a positive outcome.”
Evaluating the candidate’s answer: Did the candidate disagree tactfully and in a timely fashion, balancing the need to communicate an opinion/ information with respect? Was there avoidance of disagreement or a tactless presentation?