DDI Behavioral Interviewing & Assessment Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In DDI's behavioral interviewing model, what does the 'S' in the STAR technique stand for?
- Strategy
- Situation (Correct answer)
- Subject
- Scope
Correct answer: Situation
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result — a structured format for eliciting complete behavioral examples.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes a 'targeted selection' interview approach used by DDI?
- Selecting candidates based solely on resume credentials
- Matching candidate competencies to job-specific success factors through behavioral evidence (Correct answer)
- Using personality tests as the primary selection tool
- Prioritizing cultural fit over demonstrated skills
Correct answer: Matching candidate competencies to job-specific success factors through behavioral evidence
Targeted Selection focuses on gathering behavioral evidence tied to competencies that predict success in a specific role.
Question 3: When a candidate gives a hypothetical response ('I would...') instead of a real past example, an interviewer trained in DDI methods should:
- Accept it as equivalent to a behavioral example
- Score it as a strong response due to self-awareness
- Redirect with a follow-up probe to get a specific past experience (Correct answer)
- End the interview segment immediately
Correct answer: Redirect with a follow-up probe to get a specific past experience
DDI training emphasizes redirecting hypothetical responses to extract actual behavioral examples that reflect past performance.
Question 4: Which type of interview question is MOST consistent with DDI's behavioral approach?
- 'Where do you see yourself in five years?'
- 'Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict with a coworker.' (Correct answer)
- 'What would you do if a project deadline was moved up suddenly?'
- 'Why do you want to work here?'
Correct answer: 'Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict with a coworker.'
Behavioral questions asking about past specific experiences are the cornerstone of DDI's Targeted Selection methodology.
Question 5: In DDI assessments, 'dimension' refers to:
- A psychometric test score range
- A competency or skill critical for job success (Correct answer)
- A panel interview format
- A scoring rubric level
Correct answer: A competency or skill critical for job success
In DDI's framework, dimensions are the competencies or behaviors identified as critical predictors of performance in a role.
Question 6: The purpose of using multiple interviewers in a DDI panel or sequential interview process is primarily to:
- Speed up the hiring decision
- Reduce the cost of background checks
- Gather behavioral evidence across different dimensions from multiple perspectives (Correct answer)
- Allow candidates to practice their responses
Correct answer: Gather behavioral evidence across different dimensions from multiple perspectives
Multiple interviewers each cover different competency dimensions, improving coverage and reducing individual interviewer bias.
Question 7: In DDI's framework, which element of a behavioral example provides the MOST critical evidence for predicting future performance?
- The situation the candidate described
- The task assigned to the candidate
- The specific actions the candidate personally took (Correct answer)
- The positive outcome that resulted
Correct answer: The specific actions the candidate personally took
The Action component reveals the candidate's actual behaviors and decision-making, which is the most predictive evidence of future performance.
In DDI's behavioral interviewing model, what does the 'S' in the STAR technique stand for?