Top interview questions to expect

Top 7 Behavioral Interview Questions for Oshkosh Corporation

1. Tell me about a time when you faced a difficult challenge at work. How did you overcome it?
2. Describe a situation where you had to work effectively as part of a team. What was your role and how did you contribute to the team’s success?
3. Give me an example of a time when you had to take initiative and go above and beyond your responsibilities. What was the outcome?
4. Can you share a time when you had to make a difficult decision under pressure? How did you handle the situation?
5. Tell me about a situation where you had to adapt to a change in the workplace. How did you successfully navigate the change?
6. Describe a time when you had to provide constructive criticism to a colleague. How did you approach the situation and what was the result?
7. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to use your creativity and problem-solving skills to solve a complex issue?

Check the latest questions for this role:

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR Framework: A Powerful Tool for Answering Behavioral Interview Questions

The STAR framework is a simple yet effective method for structuring your answers to behavioral interview questions. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. By following this framework, you can provide clear and concise responses that highlight your skills and abilities.

1. Situation: Briefly describe the context or situation in which the event occurred.
2. Task: Explain the specific task or challenge you were faced with.
3. Action: Describe the actions you took to address the situation or complete the task.
4. Result: Share the positive outcome or result of your actions.

By using the STAR framework, you can ensure that your answers are focused, relevant, and easy for the interviewer to understand.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Tell me about a time when you faced a difficult challenge at work. How did you overcome it?

Example:

In my previous role, I was tasked with leading a project that faced several unexpected setbacks. Despite the challenges, I remained calm and focused. I actively sought input from my team members, conducted thorough research, and developed alternative solutions. Through effective problem-solving and collaboration, we were able to successfully complete the project on time and within budget.

Why this answer is strong:

– Situation: Clearly defines the challenging situation and project setbacks.
– Task: Highlights the responsibility of leading the project and overcoming obstacles.
– Action: Demonstrates proactive problem-solving, collaboration, and research skills.
– Result: Emphasizes the successful completion of the project despite the challenges.

2. Describe a situation where you had to work effectively as part of a team. What was your role and how did you contribute to the team’s success?

Example:

In my previous company, I worked on a cross-functional team tasked with developing and launching a new product. I took on the role of project manager and facilitated effective communication and collaboration among team members from various departments. By actively listening, seeking diverse perspectives, and resolving conflicts, I helped the team stay focused and motivated. As a result, we successfully launched the product on schedule and within budget, exceeding sales expectations.

Why this answer is strong:

– Situation: Briefly describes the cross-functional team and the task of developing and launching a new product.
– Task: Highlights the role of project manager and the responsibilities involved.
– Action: Demonstrates effective communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills.
– Result: Emphasizes the successful launch of the product, meeting both time and budget constraints, and exceeding sales expectations.

3. Give me an example of a time when you had to take initiative and go above and beyond your responsibilities. What was the outcome?

Example:

In a previous role, I noticed inefficiencies in the company’s customer service process. Taking the initiative, I conducted research and developed a proposal for process improvements. I then approached my manager with my findings and recommendations. After careful consideration, management approved my suggestions, and the implemented changes resulted in a 20% reduction in customer inquiries and increased customer satisfaction.

Why this answer is strong:

– Situation: Clearly describes the inefficient customer service process.
– Task: Highlights the initiative taken to conduct research and develop a proposal for process improvements.
– Action: Demonstrates proactive problem-solving, communication, and persuasion skills.
– Result: Emphasizes the successful implementation of the changes, resulting in reduced customer inquiries and increased satisfaction.

4. Can you share a time when you had to make a difficult decision under pressure? How did you handle the situation?

Example:

During a particularly busy period at my previous job, I faced a situation where I had to make a difficult decision under pressure. I was responsible for overseeing a critical project with a tight deadline. However, a key team member unexpectedly fell ill. I had to quickly assess the situation, prioritize tasks, and reallocate responsibilities among the remaining team members. By effectively communicating the situation and seeking input from the team, we were able to successfully complete the project on time and maintain the quality of our work.

Why this answer is strong:

– Situation: Clearly describes the challenging situation with a tight deadline and a key team member’s absence.
– Task: Highlights the responsibility of overseeing the critical project and making a difficult decision under pressure.
– Action: Demonstrates effective communication, problem-solving, and delegation skills.
– Result: Emphasizes the successful completion of the project on time and maintaining the quality of work despite the challenges.

5. Tell me about a situation where you had to adapt to a change in the workplace. How did you successfully navigate the change?

Example:

In my previous role, our company underwent a major restructuring, resulting in significant changes to our team structure and responsibilities. To successfully navigate this change, I proactively sought information about the new structure and my updated role. I had open and honest conversations with my manager and colleagues to understand their expectations and concerns. By adapting my skills and mindset, I was able to quickly integrate into the new team and contribute effectively.

Why this answer is strong:

– Situation: Clearly describes the major restructuring and changes in team structure and responsibilities.
– Task: Highlights the need to adapt to the new workplace changes.
– Action: Demonstrates proactive communication, adaptability, and a willingness to learn new skills.
– Result: Emphasizes the successful integration into the new team and effective contribution to the company.

6. Describe a time when you had to provide constructive criticism to a colleague. How did you approach the situation and what was the result?

Example:

In a previous project, I had to provide constructive criticism to a colleague who was struggling with a particular task. I approached the situation by scheduling a private conversation to discuss the issue. I began by acknowledging their strengths and efforts, then gently pointed out areas where improvement was needed. I offered specific suggestions and recommendations and encouraged them to ask questions. The colleague was receptive to the feedback and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn and grow. As a result, their performance improved significantly, and our team was able to achieve our project goals.

Why this answer is strong:

– Situation: Clearly describes the need to provide constructive criticism to a colleague struggling with a task.
– Task: Highlights the responsibility of addressing the issue and providing feedback.
– Action: Demonstrates effective communication, empathy, and a focus on solutions.
– Result: Emphasizes the colleague’s positive response, improved performance, and the successful achievement of team goals.

7. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to use your creativity and problem-solving skills to solve a complex issue?

Example:

In a previous role, I encountered a complex issue where a critical software system was experiencing frequent crashes, affecting the productivity of several departments. To resolve this, I conducted a thorough analysis of the system logs and identified a pattern in the crash reports. I then collaborated with the IT team to develop and implement a series of fixes and optimizations. By using my creativity and problem-solving skills, I was able to identify the root cause of the issue and resolve it permanently. The system’s performance improved significantly, resulting in increased productivity and satisfaction among the affected departments.

Why this answer is strong:

– Situation: Clearly describes the complex issue with the software system and its impact on productivity.
– Task: Highlights the need to identify the root cause of the issue and develop a solution.
– Action: Demonstrates effective problem-solving, analytical, and collaborative skills.
– Result: Emphasizes the successful resolution of the issue, improved system performance, and increased productivity.