Situational questions

Situational questions are challenging for job candidates because they test their knowledge of the position. Anyone who hasn't done their research will do poorly in answering these questions. In my mind, these questions are more difficult than the traditional questions, as they ask you to put yourself in the shoes of someone who is performing the task to the satisfaction of the interviewer(s). Nonetheless, these questions require a theoretical or hypothetical answer. Situational questions begin with an opening like this, "What would you do in this situation?" or "Given this situation, how would you react?"

If you came across two of your subordinates arguing, how would you handle the situation?

In her book, The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World, Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D., writes:

"While some people, usually extroverts, thrive on seeing the sparks fly; other people, usually introverts, are conflict adverse. They'll do anything rather than face a fight...