Interview guide — Senior Manager / Associate Director, Administrative Services

Past-behavior questions 10

STAR-style (Situation, Task, Action, Result) questions built from this profile's canon responsibilities and O*NET tasks, importance-ranked where O*NET rates them.

• 01Tell me about a time you had to sets strategic objectives and policies for administrative operations. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 02Tell me about a time you had to manages multiple teams or functions; oversees sizable budgets and department-level resource allocation. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 03Tell me about a time you had to leads cross-department initiatives (e.g. large events, office expansions, workplace optimization). What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 04Tell me about a time you had to develops and enforces advanced procedures impacting multiple units. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  canon · responsibility · observed
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 05Tell me about a time you had to plan, administer, and control budgets for contracts, equipment, and supplies. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 4.06
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 06Tell me about a time you had to hire and terminate clerical and administrative personnel. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 3.95
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 07Tell me about a time you had to direct or coordinate the supportive services department of a business, agency, or organization. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 3.92
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 08Tell me about a time you had to prepare and review operational reports and schedules to ensure accuracy and efficiency. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 3.71
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 09Tell me about a time you had to set goals and deadlines for the department. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 3.7
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• 10Tell me about a time you had to acquire, distribute and store supplies. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 3.38
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

Work-style probes 5

A second question type (per the evidence: multiple question types outperform any single type) probing the work-style constructs O*NET rates as important to this occupation.

• Describe a situation that required Dependability. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 2.65
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• Describe a situation that required Leadership Orientation. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 1.95
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

  Calibration reference (not this probe's own anchor — a related leveled competency)

  Leadership — Ensure colleagues and stakeholders have a clear understanding of objectives, activities and time-frames. Take into account different individual needs, views, and ideas, championing inclusion and equality of opportunity for all. Consider the impacts of own and team’s activities on stakeholders and end users. Role-model commitment and satisfaction with role. Recognise and praise the achievements of others to drive positivity within the team. Effectively manage conflict, misconduct and non-inclusive behaviour, raising with senior managers where appropriate. UK Civil Service Success Profiles · HEO and SEO or equivalent

• Describe a situation that required Attention to Detail. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 1.94
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• Describe a situation that required Cooperation. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 1.84
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

• Describe a situation that required Achievement Orientation. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 1.77
  Rating frame (5-point BARS)

  5 · Exceeds

  ⟨anchor⟩

  3 · Meets

  ⟨anchor⟩

  1 · Below

  ⟨anchor⟩

  ⟨anchor⟩ slots are completed by the rater against observed behavior during the interview.

Panel instructions

Fixed methodology, evidence-backed — not a claim of local validation for this profile or your organization.

1. Score independently first: every panelist records their own rating before any discussion.
2. Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, from this guide.
3. Rate against the anchored 5-point scale for each question — not overall gut feel.
4. Take notes during the interview, against each question, not from memory afterward.
5. Reconcile scores as a panel only after every panelist has recorded an independent score.