Construct Validity
Construct valdity relates to whether a particular psychometric assessment...
section one
5 Effective Interview Questions to Measure Ethics
Lead consultant at Test Partnership, Ben Schwencke, explains why ethics is worth measuring.
Organizations are realising that emphasising ethical conduct in the recruitment process helps employers to maintain their reputation, retain talent, and ensure long-term success. Identifying candidates with strong ethical values is vital for creating a work environment that fosters trust, accountability, and sound decision-making. However, assessing a candidate's ethical compass during the interview process can be challenging.
Identifying candidates with strong ethical values is vital for creating a work environment that fosters trust, accountability, and sound decision-making.
In this article, we'll delve into five effective interview questions designed to measure ethics, helping you uncover the candidates who will embody your organization's values and contribute to a principled work culture. We'll also provide insights on strong and weak answers, equipping you with the tools needed to make well-informed hiring decisions.
Describe a time when you faced an ethical dilemma at work. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome?
Would include a detailed example of an ethical dilemma the candidate faced in the workplace. The candidate should describe the factors or values they considered, their decision-making process, and the outcome of the situation. The answer should demonstrate the candidate's ability to think critically, balance competing priorities, and make ethical decisions that align with the organization's values and long-term goals.
Would lack a clear or relevant example, or it might fail to demonstrate the candidate's ethical reasoning. The candidate might struggle to articulate their decision-making process, neglect to consider the consequences of their actions, or fail to consider the organization's values. The answer might also suggest a focus on self-interest or a disregard for the ethical implications of the situation.
- 1. What specific factors or values did you consider while making your decision?
- 2. How did you weigh the short-term and long-term consequences of your actions?
- 3. Did you seek input or advice from others? If so, how did that influence your decision?
Can you share an example of when you witnessed unethical behaviour in the workplace?
Would provide a specific example of witnessing unethical behaviour and detail the candidate's response. The candidate should explain how they assessed the severity and impact of the behaviour, the steps they took to address the situation, and the outcome. The answer should demonstrate the candidate's commitment to maintaining ethical standards and their ability to act responsibly and professionally in challenging situations.
Would lack a clear example or fail to demonstrate the candidate's commitment to addressing unethical behaviour. The candidate might struggle to explain their thought process or decision-making, avoid taking responsibility, or focus on self-preservation. The answer may also suggest a lack of understanding of the organization's ethical standards or an inability to learn from the experience.
- 1. How did you assess the severity and impact of the unethical behaviour?
- 2. What steps did you take to address the situation, and why did you choose that approach?
- 3. How did the organization respond to your actions, and what lessons did you learn from the experience?
How do you ensure that you maintain high ethical standards in your work?
Would demonstrate the candidate's commitment to maintaining high ethical standards in their work. The candidate should describe the ethical principles or guidelines they follow, how they stay informed about best practices, and provide a relevant example of applying these standards in a professional setting. The answer should also show resilience in the face of pressure to compromise their ethical principles, illustrating their dedication to upholding ethical values.
Would fail to demonstrate the candidate's commitment to maintaining ethical standards or struggle to articulate specific principles or guidelines. The candidate might not provide a clear example or show a lack of resilience when faced with pressure to compromise their ethics. The answer may also suggest a lack of awareness or interest in ethical best practices in their industry.
- 1. What specific ethical principles or guidelines do you follow in your work?
- 2. How do you stay informed about ethical best practices or changes in your industry?
- 3. Can you share an example of a situation where you faced pressure to compromise your ethical standards? How did you handle it?
Describe a situation where you had to advocate for ethical practices or policies within your organization.
Would provide a specific example of advocating for ethical practices or policies within an organization. The candidate should explain the ethical concerns they were addressing, their importance, and how they communicated these concerns to others. The answer should also describe the strategies used to gain support and the outcome of their advocacy efforts, illustrating the candidate's ability to effectively promote ethical behaviour within the organization.
Would lack a clear example or fail to demonstrate the candidate's commitment to advocating for ethical practices or policies. The candidate might struggle to articulate the importance of the ethical concerns or their approach to communicating and gaining support. The answer may also suggest a lack of impact on the organization's practices or policies, indicating a limited ability to effectively advocate for ethical behaviour.
- 1. What specific ethical concerns were you advocating for, and why were they important?
- 2. How did you communicate your concerns to others within the organization, and what strategies did you use to gain support?
- 3. What was the outcome of your advocacy efforts, and what impact did it have on the organization's practices or policies?
How do you handle situations where your personal values conflict with your professional responsibilities?
Would present a specific example of a conflict between personal values and professional responsibilities. The candidate should describe the conflicting values and explain their approach to reconciling them while making a decision. The answer should also demonstrate the candidate's ability to prioritize the best interest of the organization while upholding ethical standards and discuss the outcome of their decision.
Would lack a clear example or fail to demonstrate the candidate's ability to effectively handle conflicts between personal values and professional responsibilities. The candidate might struggle to articulate the conflicting values or their approach to reconciling them. The answer may also suggest a focus on self-interest or a disregard for the ethical implications of the situation.
- 1. What specific personal values were in conflict with your professional responsibilities in the given situation?
- 2. How did you approach reconciling these conflicting values and making a decision?
- 3. What was the outcome of your decision, and how did you ensure it was in the best interest of the organization?
section two
Limitations of interview questions for Ethics
Compared to other psychological constructs, ethics is particularly difficult to measure effectively via an interview. Interviews themselves are largely measures of social skills, communication ability, and social confidence; ethics rarely offer an advantage when interviewing. Consequently, particularly convincing but unscrupulous candidates could easily convince their interviewer that they are highly ethical, but in reality, the opposite could be true. Therefore, behavioural assessments are recommended when assessing ethics, providing a more accurate reflection of the candidate’s moral compass.
Test Partnership offers a wide range of behavioural assessments designed to capture ethical behaviour. For example, our TPAQ-45 complete profile measures integrity, which strongly underpins a person’s moral compass. Similarly, the trait of agreeableness is also measured directly, which underpins a person’s principles and ideals. For more information on our suite of assessments, please contact us directly or register for a free trial.
