6 Questions to ask in an interview about Integrity
Some of the most common questions asked during a job interview are about one thing: integrity. Integrity at work means being true to yourself, and knowing how to answer questions about integrity can help you make a good impression on the interviewer in the short time you have. Showing that you care about being honest, doing what you’re supposed to do, and being loyal could make you a better candidate for many jobs.
This article talks about how to give good answers to interview questions about integrity. We look at six possible questions and how to answer them.
6 Questions about honesty to ask in an interview
Here are six of the most common questions about integrity that are asked in job interviews:
What do you think it means for someone to have “integrity”?
The interviewer is trying to find out if you know what integrity means to you. When interviewers ask this question, they might want you to talk about your personality and values. This is a chance to show that being honest and taking care of things is important to you. When you talk about integrity in your own words, it shows the interviewer that you know your own values and morals.
Example: “In my mind, having integrity means staying the same person no matter how much pressure there is to change. I think I should have the same values in every part of my life, and it’s important to me that I always stay true to my values. I try hard, both at work and outside of it, to show that I am honest, responsible, and trustworthy.
2.Has it ever made you feel bad to do the right thing?
When interviewers ask this question, they probably want to know how you handled a real-life situation in which you had to give up something to stay true to your values. If you can tell a relevant, honest story about a time you did the right thing even though it was hard, you can show the interviewer that you would do the same thing if a similar situation came up at their company. Think of a story you can tell ahead of time to make sure you tell it right and well.
Example: “At a previous job, I had to report a coworker for lying, even though I knew it would hurt our friendship. When I saw this coworker change a document for work, I knew I had to tell our boss. I was worried about how what I did might affect our friendship because I liked the coworker a lot. I knew I had to make the right choice, though. The coworker stopped hanging out with me outside of work after that, but I’m glad I didn’t cover for him.”
How do you say you were wrong when you have to?
Interviewers ask this question to see if a person is willing to admit when they are wrong. This is an important trait to have at work because it helps employers and employees get along better and makes it easier for teams to solve problems quickly and well.
Part of being a good team player is showing that you care about being honest and taking responsibility for what you do. How you answer this question will show the interviewer if you are as honest about your failures as you are about your successes.
“When I realize I’ve done something wrong, I go to the person or people I’ve hurt and tell them the truth. I think it’s important to take responsibility for what I’ve done. After I tell them what I did wrong, I do everything I can to fix any problems I might have caused. I know that if I’m willing to admit my mistakes, it will be easier for others on my team to forgive me and for everyone to move on without fighting.
4. Tell me about a time you had to prove you were honest.
This question gives you another chance to show that you care about being honest by telling a story from your own life. Use this question to talk about a time in the past when you had to choose between an easy decision and the right one. How you answer this question will show the interviewer how you handled a tough situation and give them confidence that you will make the right choice if a similar situation comes up at your new job.
“When I worked for a certain boss, he once asked me to lie to his boss. He told me it wasn’t a big deal and that if anything bad happened, it would be his fault. I didn’t believe him. I told him I couldn’t do anything bad with him. He said he would fire me, but I didn’t do anything different. I know I made the right choice, even though it was hard.
5. What did you do in the past when you failed?
With this question, the interviewer wants to know how you deal with a setback in your life. You’ll have to show that you can handle failure in a healthy, helpful way that doesn’t hurt your reputation. Think of a time when you tried over and over until you got it right.
“When I was looking for work after college, it was hard for me to find a job in my field. I knew I could make up qualifications or experience to put on my resume, but I decided to keep looking for a job instead of giving up on my values. I kept looking, and I got a job with a great company in the end.
Do people believe they can trust you?
This question gives you the chance to tell the interviewer about specific times when people in a professional setting put their trust in you. This could be a story about how a former boss gave you control over a project or how a coworker asked you for help with a problem at the office. In many jobs, it’s important to be trustworthy, and if you answer this question well, the interviewer will have a reason to think they can trust you.
“At my last job, I was in charge of a small group of people who were working on a big project. She trusted me to run and organize the project without her help or that of our supervisor. She gave me this job because she thought I could do it and trusted my judgment.
