Interview guide — Data Engineering Management

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 set the organization’s data agenda. 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 drive innovation through scouting/incubating emerging technologies. 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 ensure robust data governance to minimize organizational risk. 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 troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 4.24
  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 provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 4.05
  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 test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 4
  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 use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 3.97
  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 coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility so that information can be shared. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 3.78
  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 use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology. 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.

• 10Tell me about a time you had to analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, and information engineering. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?

  O*NET task · observed · IM 3.6
  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 Attention to Detail. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 2.79
  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 2.58
  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 Dependability. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 2.45
  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 Intellectual Curiosity. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 2.34
  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 Innovation. How did you approach it?

  O*NET work style · IM 2.27
  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)

  Creativity and Innovation — Creates new methods for planning, designing, and carrying out program objectives Organizes and leads cross-divisional work group in developing creative solutions to address problems Creates new units to streamline functions based on work flow analysis OPM Leadership Proficiency Levels · Level 4 - Advanced

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.