Behavioral Competency Prompts (Software Engineer, HR Screen)

Provide specific work situations that demonstrate each competency below. Use concise STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and quantify outcomes where possible.

1. Integrity and Ethics
   • A time you upheld ethics without oversight.
   • How you reacted if asked to bend rules.
   • How you addressed a colleague’s misconduct while maintaining respect.
2. Adaptability
   • A case with ambiguous instructions or changing deadlines.
   • How you updated plans and stayed productive amid uncertainty.
3. Collaboration
   • An example of cross-team collaboration.
   • How you connected people or teams.
   • How you handled differing expertise levels.
4. Problem Solving
   • How you identified a root cause before acting.
   • How you generated and evaluated multiple solutions in an ambiguous situation.
   • How you balanced efficiency with company guidelines.
5. Work Habits and Organization
   • How you prioritize daily tasks.
   • How you prepare for meetings.
   • How you start time-sensitive work immediately.
   • How you ensure on-time, high-quality delivery (including double-checks).
6. Communication
   • How you tailor messages to different audiences.
   • How you ask clarifying questions.
   • How you convey complex information clearly.
   • How you provide timely updates and candid feedback.
   • How you verify your message landed.
7. Decision-Making and Fairness
   • A difficult decision made with limited guidance.
   • How you ensured fairness and avoided misjudgment.
8. Attention to Detail vs. Big Picture
   • A time you balanced meticulous detail with overall vision.
   • How you decide what deserves extra scrutiny.
9. Honesty
   • A moment you acknowledged limits or uncertainty instead of overclaiming.
   • How you maintain truthful communication under pressure.