Interview Questions: Accountability
Definition: Accountability means taking responsibility for meeting performance expectations and being answerable for the outcomes. It recognizes that actions have consequences, which reflect our commitment to accountability. When individuals aim for high accountability, their performance improves. Accountability exists in a variety of ways including: performance appraisals/reports, delegation of responsibilities, expectations of results, keeping the supervisor informed, being on time, and treating employees well.
The statements below may be used in your job interview as measures of your "accountability" skills. You can have accountability for your actions, to the department, to the organization, for your performance. There are steps you can take to measure or improve accountability.
Accountability
- Do you accept accountability for these results? Explain.
- Give an example of when you took responsibility for seeing the project through to completion.
- Are you someone who is there when others may need your help? Give examples.
- Describe how you accepted accountability for your actions.
- Have you had to delegate responsibility for certain parts of a project to your employees? Describe.
- How would you encourage other employees to accept accountability for their results?
- How do you accepts accountability for your work?
Consequences
- Give an example of when you had to accept the consequences of your actions.
- How would you demonstrate a commitment to taking responsibility for actions?
- The success of this project is critical. Are you aware of the consequences for failure to complete this project?
- Actions have consequences. Do you expect employees to accept the consequences of their actions?
- Every action has its outcomes. Do you believe employees should take responsibility for the results of their actions?
Process and Procedure
- Have you required team members to present progress reports?
- How do you develop goals and establish objective measures of success?
- Do you require employees to submit action plans, timelines or other objectives?
- Do you require team members to present progress reports or prepare contingency plans?
- Have you documented performance goals through an individual development plan?
- Describe how you would develop goals and establish objective measures of success?
Accountability in Others
- How do you define roles, rights, and responsibilities of your employees?
- Describe how you encourage colleagues/business partners to take on greater responsibilities.
- Taking on more responsibilities helps a person to grow. How do you encourage your employees to take on more responsibilities?
- What can be done to encourage employees to take on greater responsibilities?
- Describe how you would define roles, rights, and responsibilities of the team.
- Owning a task helps an employee to feel more empowered. How do you seek commitment from employees prior to assigning tasks?
- Do you define roles, rights, and responsibilities of your employees?
- Assuming additional responsibilities fosters personal growth. How do you motivate your employees to embrace more duties?
- How would you encourage employees to set challenging but achievable goals?
Outcomes and Results
- Give an example of how you took personal responsibility for the quality of your work. Explain what happened?
- Explain how you accepted responsibility for outcomes.
- Give an example of how you took personal responsibility for results.
- How do you take responsibility for results?
In Problem Solving
- Someone needs to take charge when solving a problem as a team. Describe an instance in which you were committed to leading the initiatives to solving critical issues.
- Can you describe a time when you took charge of resolving significant issues?
- How do you tackle issues head on and finds solutions?
- Taking the lead is essential when addressing team challenges. Can you describe a time when you spearheaded efforts to resolve critical issues?
- When have you accepted responsibility for leading efforts to solve critical problems?
- Owning a problem means that you will focus all or most of your efforts to its solution. Give an example of when you took ownership of a problem.
Performance
- Explain how you would hold team members accountable to meeting goals.
- Do you allow employees to set their own performance goals?
- Describe how you would accept personal responsibility for producing high quality and timely work.
- How would you justly apply disciplinary measures?
- Describe how you would set clear performance measures.
Errors and Setbacks
- Describe a time when you continued to work diligently on a problem despite setbacks.
- How do you notify employees that they need to give advanced warning on problems and issues that will affect completion of tasks?
- Explain how you would take ownership of mistakes and learn from them.
- What there a time when you had to take full responsibility for lack of results achieved.
- Describe how you would take responsibility for errors and actively work to correct them.
- Learning from mistakes is important to avoid repeating them. Give an example of when you took ownership of mistakes and learned from them.
Organization
- How knowledgeable are you of the Company's performance?
- Are you aware of any problems or issues that affect the organization?
- Every team member plays a crucial role in advancing our mission. Can you share how you are personally committed to our organization's success?
- Effective leadership is crucial for guiding a team. How would you ensure the team stays on the right path?
- How would you implement and facilitate controls and processes to maintain the integrity of the organization?
- We all share the responsibility of supporting our organization. Do you know of any challenges or issues that might impact us?
Keeps Supervisor Informed
- How do you keep your supervisor informed of recent events?
- Do you keep your supervisor informed of recent activities?
- Do you inform your supervisor of progress without having to be asked about it?
Integrity and Honesty
- Have you ever had to admit that you made a mistake? If so, can you describe the situation?
- Can you be counted on to do what you say you are going to do?
- Upholding ethical standards even when no one is watching is important. Describe a situation in which you were faced with a dilemma and chose to take the more ethical path.
- Give an example of how you keep your word and do what you say you will do.