Sunday, September 11, 2011

The Behavioral-Based Interview: Questions for a Information Technology (IT) Management Specialist

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by Amin Huffington
Dreamfedjob - Turning unemployed into employed.
Gone are the days when the interviewer would ask a silly questions such as "Where do you see yourself five years from now?" Today's interviewers are using a new tool to find specific information about you: The Behavioral-Based Interview.

Behavioral-Based Interview Overview Behavioral-based interviews focus on discovering how a candidate performed in specific work related situations.  This interview technique seeks to uncover how a potential employee actually did behave in a given situation; not on how he or she might behave in the future.  The premise behind this technique is that a good predictor of future performance is how someone performed in the past in a similar situation.  Behavioral-based interviews are becoming more common throughout industry and government and many candidates are familiar with this technique and are well prepared for these interviews.  Candidates can and should draw on previous work related experiences as well as non-work related experiences (e.g., school projects, community involvement) that are relevant to the interview questions.

An Information Technology (IT) Management Specialist should demonstrate experience in the following competencies:

Information Technology (IT) Adeptness: Possesses the ability to learn new technologies and the aptitude to understand IT concepts

Most likely interview questions to assess this competency:

  1. In this role, you will likely attend conferences, seminars or training on new tools and technologies and be asked to share the information with your colleagues.  In the past, how have you shared knowledge with other IT professionals?
  2. Tell me about at time that you have held a “brown bag” or led a training session for other IT professionals.  Where or how did you learn about the topic you were discussing?  What were the results of the session?
  3. Discuss specific knowledge or concepts you have learned from other IT professionals.  What knowledge have you shared with others?
  4. Tell me about a time when your interaction or discussion with another IT professional helped you broaden your IT knowledge.
Key behaviors they will be looking for:

  • Grasps the “how and why” of information technology and its opportunities and limitations
  • Shares information learned at conferences, seminars, and training on new tools and technologies
  • Enhances knowledge and capabilities by engaging in discussions with other IT professionals
Information Technology Awareness: Keeps up to date with trends and changes in the technology market that are relevant to one’s area of professional expertise

Most likely interview questions to assess this competency:

  1. As an IT professional, it is important to stay current in your area of expertise.  Tell me about professional IT organizations in which you participate? What specific knowledge have you learned?  How do you contribute to these organizations?
  2. How do you stay current on emerging technologies and changes and trends in the IT profession?  What sources of information do you use to stay current?  How often do you attend meetings or seminars on new and emerging technologies?
  3. What has been the biggest challenge in keeping up with a rapidly changing IT market?

Key behaviors they will be looking for:
  • Possesses knowledge of developments and new applications of information technology (e.g., hardware, software, telecommunications, etc.), their relevance to business processes, and application and implementation of information systems to meet organizational requirements
  • Gathers key information regarding new and emerging technologies from various sources
  • Participates in IT communities and organizations to stay current in area of expertise
Information Technology Expertise: Able to use the technologies needed to perform in one’s IT-specific area and understands the technologies of importance to the agency/department or company

Most likely interview questions to assess this competency:
  1. In this role, you will be required to demonstrate knowledge in your IT-specific area and understand how it applies to the our community.  Talk about your area of interest and skills and how you have utilized your knowledge in an organization.
  2. Describe a situation that demonstrates your technology expertise?
  3. Tell me about a time when you used your area of expertise to help meet the goals and objectives of the organization you were supporting.  What was the outcome?
  4. Share an example of a time when someone came to you for advice and guidance in your area of expertise.  How were you able to help this person?
    Provide an example of a time when you defined and implemented processes for researching, exchanging and applying IT information and knowledge within the organization.
 Key behaviors they will be looking for:
  • Demonstrates knowledge and skillfulness in area of expertise
  • Understands organizational objectives and goals and how to leverage area of expertise to meet them
  • Applies information technology in complex and sustained situations
  • Transfers technical knowledge to others in the organization
  • Defines and implements processes for researching, exchanging and applying IT information and knowledge within the organization
Information Technology Legislative Requirements: Understands and applies comprehensive knowledge of government IT laws, regulations, policies and procedures

Most likely interview questions to assess this competency:

  1. Provide an example of a time when you had to modify your work activities to accommodate a law, regulation or policy.  What was the situation? What was the result?
  2. Describe a time when you had to educate others regarding IT laws, regulations, policies and procedures.  What approach did you use? How did you ensure that the information was communicated effectively?  What documents did you prepare or presentations did you deliver?
Key behaviors they will be looking for:
  • Analyzes, comprehends and complies with regulations and guidelines (e.g., Security requirements, Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), Privacy Act, etc.) , adapts them to one’s particular area of IT
  • Informs, advises and educates others regarding IT laws, regulations, policies and procedures
Technical Information Communication: Communicates technical information in a manner consistent with the level of the target audience

Most likely interview questions to assess this competency:

  1. Describe IT documents that you have developed (e.g., operating procedures, user guides) to facilitate technical discussions and enhance understanding of an IT concept or product.  How did you assess your audience’s needs and create a document that met these needs?
  2. Describe your writing style.  What steps are necessary to ensure that information is communicated as concisely as possible?  Do you follow a particular communications methodology?  If so, what is that methodology?
  3. Discuss documents you have developed to ensure that information is communicated accurately and reduce performance or quality-related problems.
  4. In this role, you must be able to communicate information on the level of technical literacy and understanding of the target audience you are addressing.  Tell me about a time when you had to communicate technical concepts to a novice audience.  What communication methods did you use?
  5. Tell me about a successful presentation you delivered to a group of IT professionals.  How did you prepare for it?  How did this presentation differ from one you delivered to a different type of audience?  What made it successful?
Key behaviors they will be looking for:
  • Assesses the parties with whom you are communicating for their level of technical literacy or understanding
  • Defines any key concepts or terms using concise, understandable terminology
  • Uses appropriate terminology to accurately and succinctly describe processes, procedures and methodology.
  • Applies standard techniques to accurately document customer issues and operating procedures to identify and reduce performance or quality-related problems
  • Tailors communication style to avoid misunderstandings in technical discussions
  • Understands the impact of changes and communicates appropriately
Federal and Departmental Acquisition Policies and Procedures Knowledge: Understands the Federal Government industry and how it functions as a buyer of services and products

Most likely interview questions to assess this competency:

  1. Describe a time when you had to inform, advise, and educate others regarding federal government contracting policies and procedures?  What was your approach?
  2. Provide an example of a time when you had to research information regarding government acquisition rules.  What sources of information did you use?
Key behaviors they will be looking for:
  • Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the OMB Circulars, the HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR), the Peer Review Regulation (42 C.F.R 52h) where required, the Procurement Integrity Act and agency/department policies and procedures
  • Informs, advises and educates others regarding federal government contracting policies and procedures
Project Management: Creates and maintains an environment that guides a project to its successful completion


Most likely interview questions to assess this competency:


  1. Describe a time when you were responsible for managing a project with varying priorities that included staggered milestones.  What was your approach?  What steps did you take to ensure the appropriate stakeholders were involved?  How did you ensure that you effectively communicated with your team?
  2. Provide an example of a time when you were responsible for managing a project where conflicts within the team developed.  How did you handle this situation? What was the result/outcome?
  3. What has been your approach for monitoring and controlling risks throughout a project?
Key behaviors they will be looking for:
  • Explains the processes involved in the initiation phase of a project and the development of an overall project plan
  • Identifies key stakeholders in the project
  • Identifies and analyzes environmental influences impacting on the project
  • Develops and manages the scope of a project
  • Describes in detail the process of resource allocation including human resources, and how cost, work, and time estimates are developed
  • Understands the risks involved in starting a project
  • Understands the importance of quality assurance and control
  • Develops effective communication skills to interact with members of the project team
How will I be rated?

While you are answering the questions, the interviewer or panel, will be writing down a number based on your answers.  This number will be between 1 and 5.  At the end of the interview the numbers  are added that this is how the person is chosen for the job.

Score Proficiency Level Description
1 Fundamental Awareness: (basic knowledge)
  • You have a common knowledge or an understanding of basic techniques and concepts.
  • Focus is on learning.
2 Novice: (limited experience)
  • You have the level of experience gained in a classroom and/or experimental scenarios or as a trainee on-the-job.
  • You are expected to need help when performing this skill.
  • Focus is on developing through on-the-job experience;
  • You understand and can discuss terminology, concepts,   principles, and issues related to this competency;
  • You utilize the full range of reference and resource materials in this competency.
3 Intermediate: (practical application)

  • You are able to successfully complete tasks in this competency as requested.
  • Help from an expert may be required from time to time, but you can usually perform the skill independently. 
  • Focus is on applying and enhancing knowledge or skill;
  • You have applied this competency to situations occasionally while needing minimal guidance to perform successfully;
  • You understand and can discuss the application and implications of changes to processes, policies, and procedures in this area.
4 Advanced: (applied theory)
  • You can perform the actions associated with this skill without assistance.
  • You are certainly recognized within your immediate organization as "a person to ask" when difficult questions arise regarding this skill.
  • Focus is on broad organizational/professional issues;
  • You have consistently provided practical/relevant ideas and perspectives on process or practice improvements which may easily be implemented;
  • You are capable of coaching others in the application of this competency by translating complex nuances relating to this competency into easy to understand terms;
  • You participate in senior level discussions regarding this competency;
  • You assist in the development of reference and resource materials in this competency.

5 Expert: (recognized authority)
  •  You are known as an expert in this area. You can provide guidance, troubleshoot and answer questions related to this area of expertise and the field where the skill is used.
  • Focus is strategic;
  • You have demonstrated consistent excellence in applying this competency across multiple projects and/or organizations;
  • You are considered the “go to” person in this area within an agency, company and/or outside organizations;
  • You create new applications for and/or lead the development of reference and resource materials for this competency;
  • You are able to diagram or explain the relevant process elements and issues in relation to organizational issues and trends in sufficient detail during discussions and presentations, to foster a greater understanding among internal and external colleagues and constituents.

When you are working on your resume, don't forget to keep in mind the type of experience that the interviewers are most likely to want to see.  Good luck.

For additional information on Information Technology Management Specialists follow the link below:  http://www.dreamfedjob.com/careers/2210_Information_Technogogy_mgmt.html

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