Top interview questions to expect

Top 7 Behavioral Interview Questions for Cardinal Health:

1. Tell me about a time when you successfully collaborated with a diverse team to achieve a common goal.
2. Describe a situation where you had to adapt to a changing work environment or unexpected challenges.
3. Give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond to provide excellent customer service.
4. Can you recall a time when you used your creativity to solve a problem or improve a process?
5. Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make and how you handled it.
6. Share an instance where you demonstrated your leadership skills and motivated others.
7. Can you tell me about a time when you received feedback and used it to improve your performance?

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR framework is a structured approach to answering behavioral interview questions. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. When answering behavioral questions, start by setting the context (Situation), then describe the specific task (Task) you were responsible for. Next, explain the actions (Action) you took to complete the task, highlighting your skills and abilities. Finally, conclude with the positive results (Result) of your actions.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Tell me about a time when you successfully collaborated with a diverse team to achieve a common goal.

Answer:

Situation: As part of a cross-functional team tasked with launching a new product, I had the opportunity to work with colleagues from different departments, including marketing, sales, and operations.

Task: My primary responsibility was to develop and implement the communication strategy for the product launch.

Action: I conducted thorough research to understand the target audience and their needs. Based on my findings, I crafted compelling messaging and coordinated with the marketing team to create engaging promotional materials. I also worked closely with the sales team to ensure they had the necessary information to effectively pitch the product to potential customers.

Result: The product launch was a resounding success, exceeding sales targets and receiving positive feedback from customers. Our collaborative efforts resulted in increased brand awareness and market share.

2. Describe a situation where you had to adapt to a changing work environment or unexpected challenges.

Answer:

Situation: During the COVID-19 pandemic, our company had to swiftly transition to remote work. This posed significant challenges, as we had to ensure business continuity while maintaining employee engagement and productivity.

Task: As a team leader, I was tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive remote work strategy.

Action: I conducted a thorough assessment of our existing processes and technologies to identify areas for improvement. I then worked with IT to upgrade our systems and provide employees with the necessary tools and resources to work effectively from home. I also introduced regular virtual team meetings and one-on-one check-ins to maintain communication and motivation.

Result: Our team successfully transitioned to remote work, maintaining high levels of productivity and collaboration. We were able to continue serving our customers effectively, and employee morale remained strong throughout the challenging period.

3. Give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond to provide excellent customer service.

Answer:

Situation: While working as a customer service representative, I received a call from a customer who was experiencing technical difficulties with a product they had recently purchased.

Task: My task was to assist the customer in resolving the issue and ensuring their satisfaction.

Action: I actively listened to the customer’s concerns and empathized with their situation. I then proceeded to provide clear and concise instructions on how to troubleshoot the problem. When the issue persisted, I escalated the case to a technical support specialist and kept the customer updated throughout the process.

Result: The technical issue was eventually resolved, and the customer expressed gratitude for my patience and persistence. The customer’s positive feedback was recognized by my supervisor, and I received a commendation for my exceptional service.

4. Can you recall a time when you used your creativity to solve a problem or improve a process?

Answer:

Situation: In my previous role, I noticed that our team spent a significant amount of time manually processing customer orders, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors.

Task: My task was to identify ways to streamline the order processing workflow and reduce the administrative burden on the team.

Action: I conducted a thorough analysis of the existing process and identified several areas for improvement. I then proposed implementing an automated order processing system that could handle a high volume of orders with greater accuracy and speed. I worked closely with the IT department to develop and implement the system.

Result: The automated order processing system significantly improved efficiency and reduced the workload for the team. It also led to improved accuracy in order fulfillment and increased customer satisfaction.

5. Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make and how you handled it.

Answer:

Situation: As a project manager, I faced a challenging situation where I had to choose between two equally qualified candidates for a key position on my team.

Task: My task was to make a decision that would best serve the project and the company as a whole.

Action: I carefully evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of both candidates, considering their skills, experience, and cultural fit. I also consulted with my team members and sought input from my supervisor.

Result: After careful consideration, I made the difficult decision to hire the candidate who I believed would make the greatest contribution to the project’s success. The candidate I selected possessed a unique combination of technical expertise and leadership qualities that I believed would be invaluable to the team.

6. Share an instance where you demonstrated your leadership skills and motivated others.

Answer:

Situation: As a team leader, I had the opportunity to lead a project that required the collaboration of team members from different departments.

Task: My task was to motivate and inspire the team to work together effectively towards a common goal.

Action: I began by clearly communicating the project vision and objectives to the team. I also created a positive and supportive work environment where team members felt valued and respected. I regularly provided feedback and encouragement, recognizing individual contributions and celebrating team successes.

Result: The team worked cohesively and efficiently, exceeding expectations in terms of project deliverables. Team morale remained high throughout the project, and I received positive feedback from my supervisor and team members.

7. Can you tell me about a time when you received feedback and used it to improve your performance?

Answer:

Situation: During a performance review, my supervisor provided me with constructive feedback regarding my communication skills.

Task: My task was to take the feedback seriously and actively work on improving my communication skills.

Action: I enrolled in a communication skills workshop to enhance my ability to express myself clearly and concisely. I also sought out opportunities to practice my communication skills in both formal and informal settings. I made a conscious effort to be more attentive to the needs and concerns of others, and I sought feedback from colleagues to gauge my progress.

Result: Over time, I noticed a significant improvement in my communication skills. I became more confident and articulate in expressing my thoughts and ideas. My colleagues and supervisor recognized my efforts and provided positive feedback on my improved communication abilities.