Question: Describe a time when you successfully worked with people outside of your usual working team or department.

Alternative Question Phrasing:

Give me an example where you collaborated with individuals or teams outside your business area to deliver a positive outcome.

Follow-up questions:

Question Details:

Question Type:

Behavioral

Skills:

Social – Coordination (Adjusting one’s own actions in relation to others),Social – Rapport Buiding/Relating and Connecting with others,Social – Social Perceptiveness

Other Factors:

Big 5 – Openness to Experience (Open Mindedness),Candidate Preparedness,Personality-Job Fit,Personality-Organization Fit,Self-Awareness

Work Activity (Task):

Interacting with Others – Assisting and Caring for Others,Interacting with Others – Communicating with Persons Outside Organization,Interacting with Others – Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others,Interacting with Others – Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

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

Interpersonal Relationships – Deal With External Customers,Interpersonal Relationships – Frequency of Contact With Others

Work Style (Person-Job Fit):

Adaptability/Flexibility,Approachability,Compassion/Concern for Others,Cooperation,Handling Ambiguity,Humility,Initiative,Politeness

Question Frequency

Question Difficulty

What to look for in an answer:

You are looking for the candidate’s flexibility to move out of their comfort zone.
If the candidate displays interpersonal skills required to collaborate with new people.
If the candidate has done enough research on the company and understands with what type of people they are required to collaborate if selected.

Red Flags to Watch For:

If the candidate finds it difficult to connect with new people.
If the example is too unrealistic to believe the candidate’s efforts to go out and collaborate with others.

Sample Answer:

N/A

Question Source: https://www.totaljobs.com/advice/most-common-competency-based-interview-questions