Initiative is the ability to identify and act on opportunities, take action without being prompted, and persistently drive results while assuming responsibility for one's work.

In today's fast-paced business environment 🏃‍♀️, initiative has become a crucial competency across all organizational levels. It's particularly vital in roles such as sales representatives 💼, project managers 📊, customer service leaders 🤝, and team supervisors 👥, where self-direction and proactive problem-solving are essential for success.

When evaluating initiative during interviews, look for candidates who demonstrate:

• Self-starting behavior
• Proactive problem identification
• Willingness to take calculated risks
• Persistence in face of obstacles
• Ability to spot and act on opportunities
• Independent decision-making capabilities

Interview Questions for Assessing Initiative:

• Tell me about a time when you identified a problem before others noticed it.
• Describe a situation where you took on responsibilities outside your job description.
• Share an example of when you pursued a professional development opportunity without being asked.
• Tell me about a time when you saw an opportunity for improvement and acted on it.
• What's the most significant project you've initiated on your own?
• Describe a situation where you had to overcome resistance to implement your idea.
• Tell me about a time when you had to persist despite multiple setbacks.
• Share an experience where you identified a gap in your team's capabilities and took action to address it.
• Describe a situation where you had to act without having all the information you wanted.
• Tell me about a time when you challenged the status quo.
• What's the most innovative solution you've implemented without being asked?
• Share an example of when you anticipated a future need and prepared for it.
• Tell me about a time when you took initiative but things didn't go as planned.
• Describe a situation where you had to motivate others to take action.
• Share an experience where you identified and pursued a new business opportunity.
• Tell me about a time when you went beyond standard procedures to achieve better results.
• Describe a situation where you had to make a decision without managerial input.
• Tell me about a time when you started a new process or program from scratch.
• Tell me about a time when you proactively resolved a customer issue before it escalated. (Customer Service Manager 👨‍💼)
• Describe a situation where you identified and pursued a sales opportunity that others had overlooked. (Sales Representative 💰)
• Share an example of when you initiated a new safety protocol or procedure. (Safety Manager 🦺)
• Tell me about a time when you redesigned a workflow to improve efficiency. (Operations Manager 🏭)

FAQ

Q: How can I tell if a candidate truly shows initiative versus just following orders well?
A: Look for examples where they identified opportunities or problems independently and took action without being prompted.

Q: Should I expect the same level of initiative from junior and senior candidates?
A: While the scale may differ, initiative can be demonstrated at any level. Focus on the relative complexity appropriate to their experience.

Q: How many initiative-focused questions should I include in an interview?
A: You don't need a lot of questions. Focus on fewer questions and using follow-ups to gather details and the full context to assess initiative.

Would you like a complete interview plan that has Initiative as a key competency? Sign up for Yardstick for free to get started.