Interview guide — Data Science / Artificial Intelligence / Software Engineering

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 develop state-of-the-art solutions. 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 set AI standards. 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 publish best practices. 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 mentor senior staff. 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 lead cross-functional initiatives. 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.

• 06Tell me about a time you had to represent AI expertise in strategic meetings. 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.

• 07Tell me about a time you had to ensure compliance with industry standards. 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.

• 08Tell me about a time you had to drive continuous improvement. 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.

• 09Tell 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.

• 10Tell 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.

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.

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

  Leadership — Promote diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity, respecting difference and external experience. Welcome and respond to views and challenges from others, despite any conflicting pressures to ignore or give in to them. Stand by, promote or defend own and team’s actions and decisions where needed. Seek out shared interests beyond own area of responsibility, understanding the extent of the impact actions have on the organisation. Inspire and motivate teams to be fully engaged in their work and dedicated to their role. UK Civil Service Success Profiles · Grade 7 and 6 or equivalent

• 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 a system to redistribute work across units during unexpected situations Solicits feedback from team members in the creation of new agency initiatives and services Displays creativity by deviating from traditional methods in developing new procedures Reevaluates current procedures and suggests improvements to ensure an effective, streamlined process OPM Leadership Proficiency Levels · Level 3 - Intermediate

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.