Conducting an employment interview is a structured process. Certain questions legally can and cannot be asked. The law has become particularly all-encompassing since Congress passed and included amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Act.

Examples of situation-based interview questions include:

• How would you describe infection control to a patient?
• What do you do to make a patient comfortable?
• What aspects of your profession do you enjoy the most? Least?
• Tell me about a coworker who was difficult to work with. How did you approach the relationship?
• Tell me about a time that you had to communicate a misunderstanding to someone. How did the misunderstanding occur? How did you resolve it? Might you have prevented it?
• Almost all work situations require us to work with someone we don't like. Describe a situation in which you were able to overcome a personality conflict in order to get results. What did you do to stay focused on the task at hand?
• What are your career goals? What influenced you in setting these goals?
• Tell me about a time that you were disappointed with your performance.
• Tell me about a time that you had more responsibilities that you could handle. What did you do to make it work?
• What skills do you use when you listen to others?

When interviewing applicants, it is helpful to ask questions that are situation based, particularly if you are working with specific population groups such as young children, frail elders, homeless individuals or migrant farmworker families. When interviewing drivers, assess their understanding of mechanical and electrical principles. Make sure you provide ample time for candidates to ask questions as well.