Construct Validity
Construct validity relates to whether a particular psychometric assessment...
section one
5 Effective Interview Questions to Measure Positive Attitude
Lead consultant at Test Partnership, Ben Schwencke, explains why Positive Attitude is worth measuring.
The power of positivity should not be underestimated. Research has consistently shown that a positive attitude can improve mental and physical well-being, reduce stress, and increase resilience in the face of challenges. In the context of the workplace, a positive attitude can lead to improved problem-solving skills, increased creativity, and more effective communication.
It is no wonder that organizations are increasingly prioritizing the development of a positive work environment as part of their long-term success strategies.
This article outlines five key questions that can be used to assess a candidate’s attitude in the workplace, along with helpful probing questions and an overview of what to look for.
Tell me about a time when you faced a challenging situation at work and how you maintained a positive attitude while addressing it.
A strong answer would demonstrate the candidate's ability to remain positive and solution-focused during challenging situations. They should provide a specific example that clearly outlines the problem, the steps they took to resolve it, and the outcome. The candidate should also show emotional intelligence and resilience, highlighting how they kept themselves and their team motivated, and discussing any lessons learned that can be applied to future challenges.
A weak answer would lack detail or provide a generic example that doesn't clearly demonstrate the candidate's positive attitude during challenging situations. The candidate may focus more on the problem itself rather than their approach to resolving it, and they may not discuss how they kept themselves or their team motivated. A weak answer may also lack reflection on what was learned from the experience or how it could be applied in the future.
- 1. How did you identify the challenge and what steps did you take to resolve it?
- 2. What strategies did you use to keep yourself and your team motivated during this challenging situation?
- 3. Can you share any lessons you learned from this experience that have helped you maintain a positive attitude in similar situations since then?
Can you describe a situation when you had to collaborate with a difficult co-worker? How did you maintain a positive attitude and work effectively with them?
A strong answer would provide a clear example of a situation where the candidate collaborated with a difficult co-worker. The candidate should discuss the specific difficulties they faced and how they maintained a positive attitude throughout the collaboration. They should highlight the communication and collaboration strategies they used to work effectively with the co-worker, and explain how maintaining a positive attitude positively impacted the outcome of the project or task.
A weak answer would lack specificity or provide a vague example that doesn't demonstrate the candidate's ability to maintain a positive attitude when working with difficult co-workers. The candidate may focus on the co-worker’s negative traits rather than their own approach to the situation. They might not discuss the strategies they used to communicate and collaborate effectively, and they may not be able to explain how their positive attitude impacted the project or task's outcome.
- 1. What were the specific difficulties you faced when working with this co-worker?
- 2. What strategies did you use to communicate and collaborate effectively with them?
- 3. How did maintaining a positive attitude impact the outcome of the project or task?
Can you tell us about a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment? How did you maintain a positive attitude during the transition?
A strong answer would provide a specific example of a significant change in the candidate's work environment, such as a shift in company direction, new leadership, or a major restructuring. The candidate should discuss how they managed their own emotions, maintained a positive mind-set, and supported others through the transition. They should also explain the impact their positive attitude had on the successful adaptation of the change within their team or organization, including any specific actions they took to encourage positivity and collaboration.
A weak answer would lack detail or provide a vague example that doesn't clearly demonstrate the candidate's ability to maintain a positive attitude during a significant change in their work environment. The candidate may focus on the challenges of the change without discussing how they managed their emotions or maintained a positive mind-set. They might not explain the impact their positive attitude had on the successful adaptation of the change, or fail to mention any specific actions taken to encourage positivity and collaboration.
- 1. What was the nature of the change, and how did it affect your daily responsibilities?
- 2. How did you manage your own emotions and maintain a positive mindset during the transition?
- 3. In what ways did your positive attitude contribute to the successful adaptation of the change within your team or organization?
Describe a situation where you encountered a failure or setback in your professional life. How did you maintain a positive attitude and bounce back from it?
A strong answer would provide a specific example of a failure or setback the candidate experienced in their professional life. The candidate should discuss how they maintained a positive attitude during this time, including any strategies or coping mechanisms they employed. They should also explain how their positive attitude helped them recover from the setback, learn from the experience, and grow professionally, mentioning any specific improvements or accomplishments that resulted from their resilience.
A weak answer would lack detail or provide a vague example that doesn't demonstrate the candidate's ability to maintain a positive attitude during a failure or setback. The candidate may focus on the negative aspects of the situation without discussing how they coped or maintained a positive mindset. They might not explain how their positive attitude helped them recover from the setback, learn from the experience, or grow professionally, and they may not mention any specific improvements or accomplishments that resulted from their resilience.
- 1. What were the circumstances of the failure or setback, and how did it affect you?
- 2. What strategies or coping mechanisms did you use to maintain a positive attitude during this difficult time?
- 3. How did your positive attitude help you recover from the setback and grow professionally?
Tell us about a time when you had to work under tight deadlines or high-pressure situations. How did you maintain a positive attitude and ensure that the work was completed effectively?
A strong answer would provide a specific example of a high-pressure situation or tight deadline that the candidate faced in their professional life. The candidate should discuss the challenges they encountered and how they managed their stress while maintaining a positive attitude. They should also explain the strategies they used to complete the work effectively, such as prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, or staying organized. Lastly, the candidate should emphasize how their positive attitude contributed to their success in meeting the deadline or handling the high-pressure situation.
A weak answer would lack detail or provide a vague example that doesn't demonstrate the candidate's ability to maintain a positive attitude during high-pressure situations or tight deadlines. The candidate may focus on the stressful aspects of the situation without discussing how they coped or maintained a positive mind-set. They might not explain the strategies they used to complete the work effectively, and they may not emphasize how their positive attitude contributed to their success in meeting the deadline or handling the high-pressure situation.
- 1. What were the specific challenges you faced while working under tight deadlines or high pressure?
- 2. How did you manage your stress and maintain a positive attitude during this time?
- 3. What strategies did you use to ensure that the work was completed effectively, and how did your positive attitude contribute to your success?
section two
Limitations of interview questions for Positive Attitude
Compared to many other psychological constructs, resilience is often sub-optimally measured using the traditional interview method. Resilience is, by its nature, difficult to articulate to another person verbally, and often highly skilled interviewees are able to convince interviewers regardless. Consequently, a highly resilient candidate who is unskilled at interviews may struggle to effectively convey their resilience, resulting in poor performance at an interview. However, a candidate who is highly charismatic, but low in resilience may well convince their interviewer, resulting in poor hiring outcomes.
Test Partnership's suite of behavioural assessments is the ideal way to evaluate a candidate's resilience. Intra-personal traits are simply better evaluated using behavioural assessments compared to interviews, allowing you to widen the scope of your selection process. For more information on our suite of behavioural assessments, please contact us directly or request a free trial.
