Value-Based Interview Questions (With Useful Sample Answers)

Updated 30 September 2022

A value-based interview is a meeting with your potential manager to ensure your core values align with the company's values. You can deliberate with the hiring manager about how the company's core beliefs and your motivations can help one another succeed and achieve career goals. Learning about the various questions an interviewer may ask you about your values can help you prepare yourself ahead of time to deliver a well-thought-out answer. In this article, we discuss eight value-based interview questions, including explaining why a company may ask it and sharing a sample answer to help you construct your response.

8 Value-Based Interview Questions With Sample Answers

Here are some example value-based interview questions with sample answers to use as a reference:

1. Can you describe when you were required to adapt to a sudden change at work?

Asking you to describe when you adapted to a sudden change at work helps an employer determine whether you are adaptable and honest. To answer this question, describe situations where you experienced sudden changes and how you overcame them to achieve team goals or complete projects. Employers may focus on skills or techniques to learn more about your ability to work under pressure. For example, an employer may expand on the question by asking what you learned from practising adaptability and how it may apply to this role.

Example: 'In my previous job as a supply manager, we ran out of a crucial material for our new product, which the customer expected within the next 48 hours. Our usual suppliers were not accepting new orders, so I had to find a replacement supplier. I stayed on my shift for an extra three hours, calling local suppliers. I found the right materials and negotiated a price close to our initial estimate. Quick action helped save the project and created a new relationship with a local supplier. We have since made the local supplier our primary supplier for all future projects.'

2. Tell me about a disagreement you had with a teammate. How did you handle it?

Disagreements may cause interruptions in the workplace, but an adaptable and communicative professional can reframe a difference into a positive learning experience. Employers may ask about conflicts to determine whether you are patient, communicate well and adapt to challenging changes. Employers can expand on this question by asking you about the situation's specific details, the outcome and what particular lessons you learned.

Example: 'Recently, I disagreed with my manager about my schedule. I asked a few weeks before taking my time off for my anniversary, and they initially agreed. As the date approached, my manager asked about a project's due date. After I reminded them of my time off request, they did not seem to recall it. My manager, overlooking my time off request, was frustrating since I had already scheduled plans for my anniversary. I stayed calm, spoke professionally but firmly, and ensured they understood the importance of my time off. My manager amended the calendar and granted my request so I may enjoy my anniversary.'

3. Can you tell me about a project you led and how the project concluded?

To focus on your leadership skills and the quality of your work, a hiring manager may ask you to discuss a project you led and the project's results. An employer may ask about a specific project's details, including due dates, project requirements and your overall role to understand your leadership skills. An employer can also expand on the question to focus on specific leadership skills, such as communication, to determine whether you align with the company's values.

Example: 'I led project development at my previous job, and my managers assigned me a team of six new employees. We had about two weeks to create a project plan for a new warehouse organisational system. I interviewed each team member to learn their strengths and weaknesses and other relevant skills to better delegate their roles in the project. I also used project management software to organise project deadlines and tasks and to facilitate communication. We successfully completed the project because of my project management skills and the team member's diligent efforts.'

4. Can you tell me about your most significant work achievement? How did you accomplish it?

An interview may ask you to share your most significant work achievement and how you accomplished it because it can help them gauge your determination, accountability and general professional goals. To answer this question, share an ambition you have recently completed and the steps you took to complete it. Include if you had an accountability partner or small deadlines throughout your timeline to ensure you met the final deadline.

Example: 'I completed my most significant work achievement last year in my previous role. When I began my career as a social media manager, I created a goal to increase the company's engagement by 10% and improve the user click-through rate from the social media profiles to its website. The goal's deadline was three years. My steps included creating more visually appealing posts, developing contests for the followers and engaging with users in the comments section. In most posts' captions, I tried to include a call-to-action to encourage the user to click on the company's website.'

5. Can you describe a situation where you may have done something differently? How might it have affected the outcome?

Hiring managers may ask if you can describe a situation where you may have done something differently at work to determine how you reflect on your work performance. They may seek to understand you are active in your career by looking for ways to improve your skills. To answer this question, share a situation you have learned how to handle better than you did the first time.

Example: 'My first role as a chef was my first time managing an industrial kitchen and a large staff. Occasionally, my meetings were unorganised, and I had minor oversights with the staff's schedules. As I grew into my role, I reflected on how I was performing so far. I determined where I might make changes. Had I made these improvements in the beginning, the team may have been happier and the kitchen may have been more efficient sooner.'

6. How might you handle learning a new program that changes your work process?

An interviewer may ask how you might handle learning a new program, which may change your daily work process to understand how quickly you master a new system. The hiring manager may ask this question to determine if you are an adaptable professional. To answer this question, share if you have experience with this situation. Ensure you express your willingness to learn the new programme and excitement about the opportunity to expand your industry knowledge.

Example: 'If the company were to implement a new program, changing how I work, I plan to do my best to learn the new program quickly. When I am presented with a new opportunity to learn something new in the industry, I think it is a beneficial way to keep my knowledge up-to-date with the latest trends, such as a new computer program. I may find a training session helpful to learn the key features and have someone, like my manager, available to answer my questions as I am learning, so I can implement it correctly.'

7. Do you think quality is critical in a product or service? Why?

During your interview, the hiring manager may ask if you think the quality is critical in a business's product or service and why you believe your answer. Asking about product or service quality may inform the interviewer how you consider the customer. It can also help them determine how you incorporate quality in your work compared to quantity. To answer this question, focus on the customer. Share how they are a crucial aspect of the company and its goals.

Example: 'I find the quality of a company's product and service a critical component because it shows the customer we care about them and value their business. Ensuring quality is a top priority for me. I am willing to work longer hours to meet my quantity goal. As long as I can create quality products, I am satisfied with my role.'

8. How do your core values align with the company's values?

An interviewer may ask how your core values align with the company's values to determine how you may fit into the workplace environment. Discuss your ethics and how you researched the company before the interview and found the values match. You may find it beneficial to provide an example of your principles and the organisation's values to emphasise your interest.

Example: 'My core value is integrity because it helps build trust with others. When researching the company, I found you also value integrity with accountability. If I earn this role, I can help the company achieve its goals and add positivity to the work environment because I know my other team members share the same values of being integrable and accountable in their work.'