In the last post: Improving ROI (Return on Interviewing) Part: 1, we talked about how the HBDI model helps you create more rounded answers to the interview questions and why it important to have great whole brain questions to ask.

Return on Interviewing: Focus on Questions

One of the participants in the Improving your ROI session shared the questions that she was asked in a recent interview and the questions that she asked the organization or interviewer.

In addition to asking for the questions, she assessed where she thought the question was coming from based on the HBDI model. If you want to read up about the HBDI model, refer to: The HBDI Question Series: Part 1.

Let’s see how well she did with applying the HBDI model to the questions:

Questions asked by interviewer and HBDI quadrant guesses:

  1. Did you ever have to make an unpopular decision? Red
  2. What are your weaknesses? Could be any quadrant
  3. How do you work under pressure? Blue, Red?

Questions interviewee asks and HBDI quadrant guesses:

  1.  Which other departments will I be interacting with? Green, Red
  2. Are some times of the year busier than other times? Yellow, Green

Analysis of questions and HBDI quadrant placement

HBDI Communicator for Interviewing

As a general guideline, you will find that questions asked in each quadrant begin with:

HBDI Quadrant A: What

When you are asked a “what” question, the other person is interested in how you identify a problem, use facts, technical capabilities or analysis.

HBDI Quadrant B: How

A “how” question is asking you to define a process, method, system or procedure or demonstrate planning and organization capabilities.

HBDI Quadrant C: Who

When you are asked a “who” question, the person is looking for information on how you get work done through relationships, instinct, customer intimacy and organizational inclusiveness.

HBDI Quadrant D: Why

A “why” question tests your big picture thinking, strategy, option generation, flexibility and creative juices.

Here are my thoughts on the questions that were posed:

  • Did you ever have to make an unpopular decision? Blue

The interviewer is asking for you to offer data – and this is phrased as a yes/no question.

  • What are your weaknesses? Blue

Again, this is a factual question asking you to list your weaknesses.

  • How do you work under pressure? Green

This question focuses on your process for dealing with pressure.

  • Which other departments will I be interacting with? Green Red

The question being posed is about organizational structure and relationships.

  • Are some times of the year busier than other times? Green

The calendar is about timing and process flow.

 You will find that some questions tap into more than one quadrant because of the way that the question is asked or because of an implied secondary question.

The more you practice forming questions and preparing for questions, the better results you have in the interview process.

I offer one-on-one interview coaching to help you find your interviewing pitfalls and develop a method using the HBDI model to improve your interviewing effectiveness. Based on some client requests, I am looking to offer interview coaching for small groups. If you have an interest in either program, drop me a line.