Question: Describe the most difficult work related decision you have made in the last year?

Alternative Question Phrasing:

What is the toughest decision you have had to make in recent memory?

Follow-up questions:

Why was it so tough?
How did you come to a decision?
How quickly did you come to a decision?
Do you regret your decision?
Looking back in hindsight, would you change your decision?
How did this decision benefit you in the end?

Question Details:

Question Type:

Behavioral

Skills:

Basic – Critical Thinking,Complex Problem Solving,Systems – Judgment and Decision Making

Abilities:

Cognitive – Deductive Reasoning,Cognitive – Inductive Reasoning,Cognitive – Problem Sensitivity (Problem Recognition)

Work Activity (Task):

Mental Processes – Judging the Value of Things, Services, or People,Mental Processes – Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Work Context (Person-Job/Team/Org Fit):

Interpersonal Relationships – Responsibility for Outcomes and Results of Others,Job Structure – Freedom to Make Decisions

Work Style (Person-Job Fit):

Analytical Thinking,Assertiveness/Courage,Handling Ambiguity,Independence,Risk Tolerance,Stress Tolerance

Question Frequency

Question Difficulty

What to look for in an answer:

Decision-making skills in the interviewee, including their thought process behind making a decision.

Red Flags to Watch For:

If they are hesitant to make decisions or make lousy critical decisions.

Sample Answer:

N/A

Question Source: Unknown