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Values-Based Interview Questions
Now that you have understood why you should be adding values-based interview techniques into your overall format, we detail some quick example questions for your values-based interview.
To get the most from values-based interview questions, you should usually follow them up with a further question. Or instance, what does "integrity mean to you?" could be answered "being true to yourself". This is a perfectly valid answer, it doesn't uncover any specific values, so it needs to be followed with something like: "What does being true to yourself mean to you, and why is that important?".
Example value-based interview questions
We have broken down VBI interview questions into four common themes so that you can uncover the candidate's suitability for your team:
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- The role/organisation
- Working with others
- Taking responsibility
- General Value Questions
The Role / Organisation
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- What do you feel are your core values and why?
- Why do you feel that our company links to your values?
- What aspects of the role would you see as the least enjoyable for you?
- In terms of your personal values, why do you feel this role is right for you?
- What would you identify as the main challenges in this role?
Working With Others
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- Tell us about a situation where it was important that you worked as part of a team?
- If we spoke to those colleagues, what would they say about your role as a team player in this project?
- In your view, what was the result of working together as a team?
- If the teamwork failed, why do you think that was?
- Name five specific qualities that make a good team leader?
Taking Responsibility
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- Talk us through a situation where you were successful? What qualities of yours helped to make it a success?
- Tell us about a mistake you've made? What did you do about it, and what have you learned from this?
- Do you receive any feedback on the mistake that you made? How did this make you feel?
- Have you ever gone the extra mile to learn something new?
- How do you react when your boss gives you an urgent task to complete just before you plan to leave for the day?
General Values Based Interview Questions
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- Not all tasks are fun. How do you motivate yourself to do the tedious parts of your past/current role?
- What does integrity mean to you?
- What drives you as an individual?
- What qualities do you look for in your manager?
- What organisations do you support outside of work, and why are these important to you?
- How do you prioritise projects and tasks when you have competing deadlines?
- What do you consider to be the most important values in the workplace?
- How do you stay motivated when faced with a challenging task?
- How do you handle a situation where your values conflict with those of your employer?
- How do you respond when someone challenges your beliefs or values?
- How do you use your values to make decisions, both professionally and personally?
- How do you handle difficult conversations with coworkers or customers who disagree with your values?
- How do you ensure that your actions and decisions align with your values?
- How do you handle a situation where you feel your values are not being respected?
- What do you do to ensure your values are respected in the workplace?
If you include a decent selection of these in your value-based interview, together with probing follow-up questions, you should be in a great position to understand the values and beliefs of the candidate sitting opposite you.
Click here for a list of common personal values
Date published: 1st March 2025
by Rob Scott
Managing Director
About the author
Rob Scott
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