20 World Economic Forum Interview Questions and Answers

The World Economic Forum is an international institution committed to improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation. In order to achieve its goals, the Forum relies on the expertise and experience of its members, who come from all sectors of society.

To ensure that it attracts the best talent, the World Economic Forum has developed a set of company specific interview questions that help identify candidates with the skills and experience the Forum is looking for. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most common World Economic Forum interview questions.

World Economic Forum Interview Process

The interview process at World Economic Forum can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, there may only be one or two interviews, while for others there may be multiple rounds of interviews, a written component, and a presentation component. Overall, the interview process is fairly lengthy and can take several months to complete. Additionally, it appears that the difficulty of the interviews varies depending on the position you are applying for. Some reviewers found the interviews to be relatively easy, while others found them to be quite challenging.

1. What is your experience with project management and coordination?

The World Economic Forum is a large organization that hosts many events and conferences. The interviewer wants to know if you have the skills necessary to manage projects, meet deadlines and work with others in a team setting. Showcase your project management experience by describing how you organized and managed previous projects or initiatives.

Example: “In my last position as an event planner for a local convention center, I was responsible for coordinating all aspects of each event from start to finish. This included hiring staff, booking vendors, managing budgets and ensuring everything went smoothly on the day of the event. It’s important to me that I can use my organizational skills to help others succeed.”

2. Have you ever had to deal with a difficult team member? How did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to resolve a conflict with a team member and how you handled it.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with a colleague who was very outspoken in meetings. He would often interrupt me when I was presenting ideas or information to the rest of the team. At first, I tried to ignore him, but he continued to do it. So, I decided to talk to him privately about his behavior. We talked for a few minutes, and he apologized. From then on, he stopped interrupting me during meetings.”

3. Why do you want to work at the World Economic Forum?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are interested in working at this institution. It is important to show your enthusiasm for the organization by explaining what attracted you to it, how you found out about it or any other relevant information that shows you have done some research on the World Economic Forum.

Example: “I am passionate about international relations and foreign policy, so I was excited to learn about the World Economic Forum’s mission of improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation. I think my background as a political science major and my experience working with the United Nations would be an asset to the organization.”

4. Describe your approach to managing multiple projects simultaneously.

The World Economic Forum is a global organization that requires its employees to be able to manage multiple projects at once. This question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively. In your answer, describe how you plan out your day and schedule meetings or calls with clients or colleagues.

Example: “I use my calendar app to organize my daily activities. I start each morning by checking my email inbox for any urgent messages. Then, I check my calendar to see what appointments I have scheduled for the day. If there are no immediate tasks that need to be addressed, I will review my project list to determine which ones require my attention first.”

5. Tell me about a time that you made a mistake, how did you handle it?

The World Economic Forum is looking for people who are willing to admit their mistakes and learn from them. This question helps the interviewer determine how you handle failure, which can be an important skill in a leadership role.

Example: “I once made a mistake during a presentation at work where I accidentally showed my competitor’s confidential information on the screen. It was embarrassing, but I immediately apologized to everyone in the room and explained what happened. My boss understood that it was an honest mistake and gave me another chance to present later that day. I learned that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you’re willing to own up to them.”

6. Do you prefer working in a structured environment or one where there are fewer rules?

The World Economic Forum is a highly structured organization, so it’s important to show that you can thrive in this environment. When answering this question, explain how your previous work experience has prepared you for the structure of the World Economic Forum.

Example: “I have worked in a highly structured environment before and find that I am well-suited to it. In my last position as an accountant, I was responsible for maintaining accurate records and reporting financial information accurately. This required me to follow specific rules and regulations, which I found quite easy to do. I believe that my background makes me a good fit for the World Economic Forum.”

7. What do you think are the best ways to manage stakeholder expectations?

The World Economic Forum is a global institution that works with many stakeholders. The interviewer wants to know how you would manage the expectations of these stakeholders and ensure they are satisfied with your work. Use examples from past experiences where you managed stakeholder expectations successfully.

Example: “I think it’s important to be transparent about what I can deliver and when. If there are any changes, I communicate them immediately so everyone knows what’s happening. In my last role, we were working on a project for a client who was expecting certain results by a certain date. We had to push back our deadline because of some unforeseen circumstances. I called the client right away to let them know what happened and why we needed to delay the project.”

8. Who would you say has been your greatest mentor? What have they taught you?

The World Economic Forum is interested in hiring people who are eager to learn and grow. Your answer should show that you have a mentor or someone who has helped you develop your skills and knowledge.

Example: “My greatest mentor would be my father, who taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance. He was an entrepreneur who started his own business when I was young. He worked long hours but always made time for us as a family. His example inspired me to pursue entrepreneurship.”

9. Would you be comfortable working in an international setting?

The World Economic Forum is a global organization, and the interviewer may want to know if you have experience working in an international setting. If you do, share your experiences with them. If you don’t, explain how you would adapt to this new environment.

Example: “I’ve worked for several companies that had offices around the world, so I’m used to adapting to different cultures. In my last position, I was responsible for managing our European office, so I am familiar with the challenges of working across borders.”

10. Give an example of a time when you had to build consensus amongst a group of people.

The World Economic Forum is a place where people from all over the world come together to discuss important issues. The interviewer wants to know that you can work with others and collaborate on projects.

Example: “At my previous job, I was part of a team tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for our company’s product. We had representatives from different departments who each wanted their ideas implemented in the final campaign. I suggested we create a list of objectives and then vote on which ones were most important. This helped us narrow down our options so we could focus on what was most important.”

11. Tell us about a time when you were given a task to complete but felt like you didn’t have enough information. How did you proceed?

The World Economic Forum is a global institution that requires its employees to be able to work independently and make decisions on their own. This question helps the interviewer determine how you would handle this type of situation in your role as an employee at the organization.

Example: “In my previous position, I was tasked with creating a new marketing campaign for our company’s product. However, I didn’t have much information about what our customers wanted from us or what they were looking for when shopping for our products. So, I conducted research by interviewing several of our customers and asking them questions about what they liked and disliked about our products. From there, I created a marketing campaign based on customer feedback.”

12. What does public-private cooperation mean to you?

The World Economic Forum is a place where public and private sectors come together to discuss global issues. The organization wants employees who understand the importance of this cooperation and can help facilitate it. Your answer should show that you know what public-private cooperation means and how it benefits society.

Example: “Public-private cooperation is essential for solving complex problems. It’s important to have both sides at the table when discussing solutions, as each has unique perspectives and resources. I’ve seen firsthand how effective collaboration can be in my previous role. My company was working with another on a project. We had different ideas about how to approach the problem, but we were able to work through them and find a solution that benefited everyone.”

13. Explain what makes for good quality data.

The World Economic Forum is a global institution that relies on data to make decisions. Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to collect and analyze information. In your answer, explain what you consider to be good quality data and how you would go about collecting it.

Example: “Good quality data should be accurate, relevant and timely. I have experience with several methods of collecting data, including surveys, interviews and research. When conducting my own research, I always use the most recent sources available. This ensures that the data I am analyzing is up-to-date and relevant to the current situation.”

14. Which industry sector do you feel most strongly about?

This question is a great way to learn more about your candidate’s passions and values. It can also help you determine if they would be a good fit for the World Economic Forum, which hosts events in multiple industries.

Example: “I am passionate about education reform because I believe that it is one of the most important issues facing our country today. As someone who has worked in public schools for over ten years, I have seen firsthand how much teachers care about their students and want them to succeed. However, many teachers are underpaid and do not receive adequate training or resources. This makes it difficult for them to provide quality education to all of their students.”

15. What was one of your biggest professional challenges and how did you overcome it?

The World Economic Forum is looking for candidates who are able to overcome challenges and use them as opportunities to learn. This question helps the interviewer determine how you respond to adversity and whether you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role.

Example: “My biggest professional challenge was when I first started my career at a large corporation. I had just graduated from college, so I didn’t know much about the business world or what it takes to be successful in an organization. I tried to do everything perfectly, but that led me to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Eventually, I learned that there’s no such thing as perfection and that I needed to find balance between being productive and feeling good about myself.”

16. What kind of things excite you about emerging technologies?

The World Economic Forum is a global institution that focuses on emerging technologies and their impact on the world. This question helps employers understand your interest in these topics, as well as how you might contribute to discussions about them at the forum.

Example: “I’m excited by emerging technologies because they have the potential to solve some of our most pressing problems. For example, I think blockchain technology has the ability to revolutionize everything from supply chains to voting systems. However, it’s important to remember that new technologies also bring new challenges. We need to be sure we’re using emerging technologies responsibly.”

17. Tell me about a time when you had to change directions on a project, how did you communicate this to stakeholders?

The World Economic Forum is a global institution that requires its employees to be flexible and adaptable. This question helps the interviewer understand how you handle change, as well as your communication skills.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with creating an online marketing campaign for a client’s new product line. After conducting research on our target audience, we realized that there wasn’t enough interest in this particular product line to justify the cost of the campaign. We communicated this information to the client and they decided to focus their resources elsewhere.”

18. The business marketplace is changing rapidly, what will companies need to adapt to succeed in the future?

The World Economic Forum is a global institution that focuses on improving the state of the world through public-private cooperation. As such, it’s important to show your understanding of how business and technology are changing the way we live and work.

Example: “The pace of change in the business marketplace has never been faster. Businesses need to adapt quickly or risk being left behind. I believe businesses will need to focus more on customer service and experience than ever before. Customers have more options than ever before, so companies must provide an exceptional experience if they want to succeed.”

19. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

The World Economic Forum is looking for candidates who are committed to their work and have a long-term vision. Your answer should show that you plan on being with the organization for many years, but also that you’re open to new opportunities as they arise.

Example: “I see myself in this role at the World Economic Forum for at least five more years. I’m excited about the opportunity to learn from my colleagues and contribute to the forum’s mission of improving the state of the world. In ten years, I hope to be working in an even larger leadership position where I can continue to make a positive impact.”

20. How would you explain blockchain technology to someone who has no technical background?

The World Economic Forum is a global institution that aims to improve the state of the world through public-private cooperation. As such, it’s important for employees to have an understanding of blockchain technology and its potential impact on society. Your answer should show your ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms.

Example: “Blockchain is essentially a digital ledger where transactions are recorded chronologically and publicly. It’s decentralized, meaning there is no central authority controlling it. This makes it more secure than traditional ledgers because there is no single point of failure. Blockchain can be used to record anything of value, including money, property titles, medical records and votes.”