15 Action Oriented Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And one of the best ways to prepare is to anticipate the types of questions you may be asked.

If you’re interviewing for a position that requires action-oriented thinking, you can expect the interviewer to ask questions that assess your ability to take initiative, solve problems, and think on your feet.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample action-oriented interview questions and answers.

1. What is Action Oriented?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of action oriented skills and how you apply them in your work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to define what action orientation is and give examples of how you use action orientation in your own work.

Example: “Action orientation is a skill that helps me stay focused on my goals and objectives while working with others. It’s important to me to make sure I’m always completing tasks and projects according to schedule and within budget. In my last role as an operations manager, I used action orientation by creating weekly check-in meetings with my team members to ensure they were staying on track with their assignments.”

2. Why does action orientation matter?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of action orientation in your role. It’s also an opportunity for you to share some personal experiences with action orientation and how it helped you succeed.

Example: “Action orientation matters because it allows me to complete tasks quickly, which helps me meet deadlines and stay organized. I find that when I’m working on projects or assignments, I can get overwhelmed if I don’t have a plan of attack. Action orientation helps me break down large projects into smaller steps so I can focus on one thing at a time. This has been especially helpful in my previous roles where I had multiple projects due within the same week.”

3. How do you improve your ability to be action oriented?

This question can help an interviewer understand your commitment to being productive and efficient. Your answer should show that you are willing to learn new skills, take on challenges and develop your abilities as a worker.

Example: “I have found that the best way to improve my ability to be action oriented is by practicing it daily. I make sure to set aside time each day to complete tasks that require me to work quickly and efficiently. This helps me get into a routine of working at a fast pace, which makes it easier for me to stay focused when I need to. Another way I improve my action orientation is through training programs. When I am in a new position or learning a new skill, I try to attend any training courses available so I can practice my skills under supervision.”

4. Can you explain what a strengths assessment is and why it’s important for improving yourself as an individual/team member?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of self-improvement and how you can help others improve themselves. When answering this question, it’s important to explain what a strengths assessment is and why it’s beneficial for both yourself and the team.

Example: “A strengths assessment is an evaluation that helps you understand your skills and abilities as well as your personality traits. It allows you to discover your natural talents and learn more about yourself. I find that taking a strengths assessment is a great way to start improving myself because it gives me insight into my own personal development. From there, I can decide which areas I want to focus on improving and create a plan to do so.”

5. Are there any tools or apps that can help me become more action-oriented? If yes, then which ones?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of action-oriented skills and how you can apply them in the workplace. If you have experience with any tools or apps that help you become more organized, efficient or productive, be sure to mention those as well.

Example: “I find that having an app on my phone for reminders helps me stay focused on what I need to do throughout the day. I also use a calendar app to keep track of important dates and deadlines so I don’t miss anything. Another tool I’ve found helpful is Trello, which allows me to create lists and organize projects into different categories.”

6. How can I use action orientation to build my skillset in the workplace?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan to use your skills and abilities in a way that benefits your employer. Use examples from previous experiences where you used action orientation to complete tasks or projects successfully.

Example: “I believe that using action orientation is an important skill for any workplace because it allows me to be more productive and efficient when completing tasks and projects. In my last role, I was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for our company’s website. Using action orientation, I researched different types of marketing strategies and developed several ideas for the campaign. Then, I presented those ideas to my supervisor who helped me narrow down the best ones to implement.”

7. What are some examples of job roles that require a high degree of action orientation?

This question can help an interviewer understand what types of work you’re interested in and how your skills could be useful. If you have experience working in a role that requires action orientation, it can be helpful to share this information with the interviewer.

Example: “I’ve worked as a server at a restaurant for several years now, and I find that my ability to stay organized and multitask is very beneficial. In fact, I often get compliments from customers about how quickly I deliver their food and drinks. This job has helped me develop my action orientation skills because I need to perform many tasks simultaneously while also interacting with customers.”

8. Is there anything else I should know about action orientation?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have a strong understanding of action orientation and how it can be applied in the workplace. You should use this question as an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the skill by giving examples from your own experience or discussing what you’ve learned about action orientation through training or reading.

Example: “Action orientation is important because it helps me stay focused on my goals, which leads to better results. I find that when I’m working on a project, I am more likely to complete it if I break down the steps into smaller tasks so I can see progress along the way. This also allows me to identify any problems early on so I can fix them before they become major issues.”

9. How do you develop a culture of action within a team?

A culture of action is one that encourages employees to take initiative and make decisions. This question can help an interviewer assess your ability to lead a team through challenging projects. In your answer, explain how you encourage your teammates to be proactive in their work. Share examples of how you helped create a positive environment for taking risks and making decisions.

Example: “I believe it’s important to set the tone for a culture of action within a team. When I first started my career as a project manager, I noticed that some members of my team were hesitant to speak up during meetings. To change this, I scheduled more frequent check-ins with each member of my team. During these meetings, I asked them what they thought about our current strategy or process. By encouraging everyone to share their opinions, we developed a system where anyone could contribute ideas.”

10. How can I start using action orientation at work right away?

This question can help the interviewer see how you apply your skills to real-world situations. Use examples from previous work experiences where you used action orientation and helped achieve results or solve problems.

Example: “I would start by identifying what I need to do, then breaking down each task into smaller steps that are more manageable. This helps me stay organized and on track with my goals for the day. Another way I use action orientation is by setting a timer when I’m working on something important. For example, if I have an assignment due in two weeks, I’ll set a timer for one week so I know exactly when I need to get started on it.”

11. What are some common hurdles faced by people when trying to become more action oriented?

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to coach others on how to become more productive and efficient. Use examples from your experience that show you know what challenges people face when trying to improve their action orientation skills.

Example: “Some common hurdles faced by people who are trying to become more action oriented include a lack of motivation, procrastination and distractions. I’ve helped many clients overcome these obstacles by helping them develop better time management skills, learn how to set realistic goals and find ways to stay focused during work.”

12. What are some methods for overcoming these hurdles?

Employers want to know that you can overcome challenges and obstacles in your work. They may ask this question to see how you respond to these situations, so it’s important to be honest about the methods you use to solve problems.

Example: “I find that one of the best ways to overcome a challenge is to break it down into smaller tasks. This allows me to focus on each step individually rather than trying to complete the entire project at once. I also make sure to communicate with my team members when I’m working on a task or project so they’re aware of what I’m doing and can offer their input if needed.”

13. How can I make sure my actions are aligned with my company’s goals?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to align your actions with company goals and objectives. Use examples from past experiences where you had to make sure your work aligned with company goals.

Example: “I always make sure my actions are in line with what I’m being asked to do by my manager or supervisor. In my last role, I was tasked with increasing sales for a specific product. After researching the market, I found that our prices were too high compared to competitors. I presented this information to my manager, who then informed upper management of the issue. They lowered our prices, which led to an increase in sales.”

14. Should I avoid taking risks in order to remain focused on being action oriented?

Employers want to know that you can take risks and still be productive. They also want to make sure you understand the importance of being action oriented in your work. Your answer should show that you are willing to take calculated risks, but only when it’s appropriate.

Example: “I think taking risks is important because it allows us to learn from our mistakes. However, I would never take a risk if it meant putting my team or company at risk. For example, if I had an idea for a new project, I would present it to my manager before acting on it. If they approved it, then I would move forward with it. If not, I would find another way to implement my idea.”

15. How do you use action orientation to influence other people?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills. It’s important for a team leader to be able to influence others, so the interviewer may want to know how you do this in a way that benefits the company.

Example: “I use action orientation when I’m trying to get someone else to take action on something. For example, if I wanted my coworker to complete a task by a certain time, I would first explain what needs to happen and why it’s important. Then, I would give them a deadline and tell them exactly what they need to do to meet it. This helps me make sure everyone understands their responsibilities and gives them clear instructions about what they should do.”