10 Interview Question To Determine Problem Solving Skills
- Can you give an example of a complex problem you solved in your previous work experience?
- How do you approach problem-solving in your work?
- Can you describe a situation where you had to think critically and creatively to solve a problem?
- How do you handle obstacles or roadblocks when trying to solve a problem?
- Can you give an example of a time when you had to collaborate with others to solve a problem?
- How do you prioritise and manage multiple problems at the same time?
- Can you describe a situation where you had to make a quick decision to solve a problem?
- How do you stay calm and focused when faced with a difficult problem?
- Can you give an example of a time when you had to take risks to solve a problem?
- How do you evaluate the effectiveness of the solution you came up with for a problem?
Must Read
Interview Questions To Determine Attention To Detail And How To Answer Them (With Examples)
How to answer, ‘Can you give an example of a complex problem you solved in your previous work experience?’ in an interview.
To answer this question, it’s important to give a specific example of a complex problem you solved in your previous work experience. Begin by describing the problem in detail, including the context and any challenges that made it complex. Next, explain the steps you took to solve the problem. Be specific about what actions you took and what resources you used. Highlight any challenges or obstacles you faced and how you overcame them. Finally, explain the outcome of your actions and how your solution was effective. Emphasise the impact of your solution on the organisation or the customers.
For Example
One example of a complex problem I solved in my previous work experience was when I was working as a customer service representative. I had a customer who was experiencing a technical issue with their product, which they had been trying to resolve for weeks with no success. I had to dive deep into the technical details of the product and troubleshoot the problem. After several hours of research and testing, I discovered that the issue was caused by a software bug and I was able to provide the customer with a solution.
How to answer, ‘How do you approach problem-solving in your work?’ in an interview.
When discussing how you approach problem-solving in your work, it’s important to explain the methodologies or techniques you use, such as root cause analysis, SWOT analysis, or brainstorming. Additionally, you should be able to explain how you go about identifying and analysing problems and how you come up with solutions. Provide examples of how you have applied these methodologies in your work and how they helped you to find effective solutions.
For Example
In my approach to problem-solving, I first try to understand the root cause of the problem. I then use tools such as root cause analysis or SWOT analysis to identify potential solutions. I also like to brainstorm with my team to come up with new ideas.
How to answer, ‘Can you describe a situation where you had to think critically and creatively to solve a problem?’ in an interview.
To answer this question, describe a specific situation where you had to think critically and creatively to solve a problem. Begin by describing the problem and what made it challenging. Then, explain your thought process and how you approached the problem. Highlight any innovative or creative solutions you came up with, and explain how you implemented them. Emphasise the impact of your solution on the organisation or the customers.
For Example
One situation where I had to think critically and creatively to solve a problem was when I was working as a project manager. My team and I were tasked with launching a new product, but we were facing several challenges such as budget constraints and lack of resources. We had to come up with an innovative solution to get the product to market on time and within budget. So we decided to use crowdfunding as a way to raise funds and also generate buzz for our product.
How to answer, ‘How do you handle obstacles or roadblocks when trying to solve a problem?’ in an interview.
When answering this question, describe a situation where you faced obstacles or roadblocks when trying to solve a problem. Explain what the obstacles were, and how they affected your ability to find a solution. Next, explain the steps you took to overcome the obstacles, highlighting any actions you took and any resources you used. Finally, explain the outcome of your actions and how your solution was successful.
For Example
When faced with obstacles or roadblocks while trying to solve a problem, I like to stay calm and look at the problem from a different perspective. I try to identify the underlying issues and come up with alternative solutions. For example, when I was working as a marketing manager, I was tasked with launching a new campaign but we had a limited budget. I had to think creatively and come up with a cost-effective solution. I used social media influencers to promote our product which was more cost-effective than traditional advertising.
How to answer, ‘Can you give an example of a time when you had to collaborate with others to solve a problem?’ in an interview.
To answer this question, give an example of a time when you had to collaborate with others to solve a problem. Begin by describing the problem and how it required a team effort to solve. Explain how you worked with the team, what roles and responsibilities each team member had, and how you communicated with each other. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Finally, explain the outcome of the collaboration and how the problem was successfully solved.
For Example
One example of a time when I had to collaborate with others to solve a problem was when I was working as a product developer. My team and I were tasked with designing a new product, but we were facing several design challenges. We had to collaborate with our designers, engineers and customer support team to come up with a solution that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
How to answer, ‘How do you prioritise and manage multiple problems at the same time?’ in an interview.
To answer this question, describe how you prioritise and manage multiple problems at the same time. Explain the strategies you use, such as prioritising based on urgency or impact, and how you keep track of progress. Give examples of how you have applied these strategies in your work and how they have helped you to manage multiple problems effectively. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
For Example
To prioritise and manage multiple problems at the same time, I use a prioritisation matrix. I categorise the problems based on their level of urgency and impact, and then tackle them in order of priority. This helps me to stay organised and ensures that the most important problems are addressed first.
How to answer, ‘Can you describe a situation where you had to make a quick decision to solve a problem?’ in an interview.
To answer this question, describe a situation where you had to make a quick decision to solve a problem. Begin by describing the problem and the time constraints you were facing. Explain how you evaluated the available options and explain the decision you made. Emphasise the importance of the decision and how it affected the outcome of the problem. Explain how your quick thinking led to a successful solution.
For Example
One situation where I had to make a quick decision to solve a problem was when I was working as a sales representative. A customer had placed an urgent order and we had only a few hours left to fulfil it. The problem was that we had a shortage of a critical component that was required to complete the order. I had to make a quick decision on how to fulfil the order without compromising on the quality or delivery time.
How to answer, ‘How do you stay calm and focused when faced with a difficult problem?’ in an interview.
To answer this question, describe how you stay calm and focused when faced with a difficult problem. Explain the strategies you use, such as taking a step back and looking at the problem from a different perspective, and how you maintain a clear mindset to find a solution. Provide examples of how you have applied these strategies in your work and how they have helped you to stay calm and focused.
For Example
One example of a time when I had to stay calm and focused when faced with a difficult problem was when I was working as a financial analyst. I was tasked with preparing a financial forecast for the upcoming quarter, but the data I received was incomplete and inconsistent. It was a very stressful situation, but I knew that panicking would not help me to find a solution. So, I took a step back and looked at the problem from a different perspective. I focused on identifying the missing data and how to obtain it, and I asked colleagues for help if needed. By staying calm and focused, I was able to complete the forecast on time and with high accuracy.
How to answer, ‘Can you give an example of a time when you had to take risks to solve a problem?’ in an interview.
To answer this question, give an example of a time when you had to take risks to solve a problem. Begin by describing the problem and the risks you took. Explain how you evaluated the potential risks and benefits and why you decided to take the risk. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Finally, explain the outcome of the risk and how it led to a successful solution.
For Example
Once when I had to take risks to solve a problem was when I was working as a product manager. My team and I were launching a new product in an untested market. The market research showed that the product had a low chance of success, but I believed in its potential. So, I decided to invest a significant portion of our budget in the launch campaign. It was a risky move, but it paid off as the product was a huge success and exceeded our sales expectations.
How to answer, ‘How do you evaluate the effectiveness of the solution you came up with for a problem?’ in an interview.
To answer this question, describe how you evaluate the effectiveness of the solution you came up with for a problem. Explain the metrics you use, such as efficiency, cost-effectiveness, or customer satisfaction, and how you measure the success of the solution. Provide examples of how you have applied these metrics in your work and how they have helped you to evaluate the effectiveness of the solutions. Highlight any adjustments or changes you made to improve the solution and explain how they affected the outcome.
For Example
When I was working as a customer service representative, I developed a new process for handling customer complaints. After implementing it, I monitored the process and collected feedback from customers. I also analysed the cost of development and the time spent on resolving the complaints. Based on the results, I made adjustments to improve the process and increase customer satisfaction.
