MECOP Interview Questions

STAR/CAR
Situation/task/challenge, action, result
Communication
_Describe a situation when you were able to strengthen a relationship by
communicating effectively. What made your communication effective?

_Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully

communicate with another person, even when that individual may not have
personally liked you , or vice versa.

_Tell us about a time when you had to present complex information. How
did you ensure that the other person understood?

Ambulance story feeding tube to scared wife

Group project delegating tasks, ask for progress report

_Tell us about a time you had to communicate negative or unpopular

information to another individual or group. What approach did you take and
how did you feel afterwards?

Invoice problem
Coffee bags
Decision making & Problem Solving
_Discuss an important decision you have made regarding a task or project
at work or school. What factors influenced your decision?
Choosing majors

 _Give an example of a time when you had to be relatively quick in coming

to a decision.
Ambulance calls
_Tell us about a time when you had to defend a decision you made even
though other important people were opposed to your decision.
Coffee bags
_In many problem situations, it is often tempting to jump to a conclusion to
build a solution quickly. Tell me about a time when you resisted this
temptation and thoroughly obtained all facts associated with the problem
before coming to a decision.

Innovation/ Creativity
_Describe a time when you came up with a creative
solution/idea/project/report to a problem in your past work.
GRO research project superfund sites to bioswale contaminants
_Give me an example of when you took a risk to achieve a goal. What was
the outcome?
Using autocad to create drawing for project, learning to use program
during project
_What have been some of your most creative ideas?
Building gasifier from 55gal drum
Speaking to City of Portland about Big Pipe for project, and just
because I was curious
_Think of a conventional practice that you chose to improve upon. How did
you do it?

Leadership
_Give an example of your ability to build motivation in your co-workers,
classmates, and even if on a volunteer committee.

_What is the toughest group that you have had to get cooperation from?
Describe how you handled it. What was the outcome?
Paramedic scenario proctors, scene control on hectic call
_Have you ever had difficulty getting others to accept your ideas? What was
your approach? Did it work?
Coffee care bags
Planning, Prioritizing and Goal Setting
_Describe a situation that required you to do a number of things at the
same time. How did you handle it? What was the result?
Too many classes, homework/projects
Paramedic calls, triage
_How do you determine priorities in scheduling your time? Give an example.
_How do you typically plan your day to manage your time effectively?
Mornings exercise, eat, relax
Afternoon reading, homework
Evening most productive, homework

 _Think of a project in which you skillfully coordinated people, tasks, and

schedules. How did you do it?
CE 111, big pipe presentation, group work, quiet group
CE 112, bridge project, group work, multiple leaders

Teamwork
_Describe a team experience you found disappointing. What would you have
done to prevent this?

Paramedic preceptor -

_Have you ever been a project leader? Give examples of problems you
experienced and how you reacted.

_Walk me through a single situation when you went out of your way to
induce a friendly climate on your team. How did you do it?

_Tell me about a situation when you provided full support for a team
decision, even though you didnt agree with it.

Tell Me About a Time When You

1. Worked effectively under pressure.
2. Handled a difficult situation with a co-worker.
3. Were creative in solving a problem.
4. Missed an obvious solution to a problem.
5. Were unable to complete a project on time.
6. Persuaded team members to do things your way.
7. Wrote a report that was well received.
8. Anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.
9. Had to make an important decision with limited facts.
10. Were forced to make an unpopular decision.
11. Had to adapt to a difficult situation.

12. Were tolerant of an opinion that was different from yours.

13. Were disappointed in your behavior.
14. Used your political savvy to push a program through that you really
believed in.
15. Had to deal with an irate customer.
16. Delegated a project effectively.
17. Surmounted a major obstacle.
18. Set your sights too high (or too low).
19. Prioritized the elements of a complicated project.
20. Got bogged down in the details of a project.
21. Lost (or won) an important contract.
22. Made a bad decision.
23. Had to fire a friend.
24. Hired (or fired) the wrong person.
25. Turned down a good job.

EPA GRO Grant

Application, few opportunities
Research stormwater, bioswales, contaminants
Summer internship in Colorado

EWB coffee cart manager

Managing volunteers
Running errands
Interacting with strangers
**Invoice problem

Biochar, gasifier summer project

Greenroof biodiversity study

Landscaping groundscrew
Public interaction
Hard work

Firefighting, paramedic
Public interaction
Intense situations, complex problems, quick thinking
Hard work