There is a new trend in interviewing – situational interviews. Rather than use standard interview questions, which most candidates offer rehearsed or canned answers to, interviewers pose a series of questions that force the candidates to respond with detailed anecdotes. Many employers believe that this provides a better gauge of a candidate’s fit for a particular position and their overall potential for success on the job.

Below are 10 examples of situational interview questions. As an interviewer, look for a response that includes adequate, precise information and probing questions to ensure comprehension.

1. Describe a challenging work situation you had to handle in the past. What did you do to solve the issue and what was the outcome reached?
2. Give an example of a time when your ability to think fast and make decisions quickly came into play.
3. In your experience in speaking with customers and clients, describe a time when you had to communicate under difficult circumstances.
4. Give an example of a time when you were able to be warm and amiable as a communicator.
5. Tell me about a time when, due to an unstable situation, you were successful in expressing your ideas and opinions in a tactful and careful way.
6. Describe a time in which you were successful in dealing with an unstructured work environment.
7. Tell me about a time in which you were able to be very persistent in order to reach goals.
8. Tell me about a time in which you were able to positively motivate others. Be specific.
9. Describe a time when you not only exercised your logic and intelligence to solve a problem, but showed good judgment as well.
10. Describe a time when you were successful in servicing a demanding or difficult person.