How to Handle Hypothetical Interview Questions with a Sample Question and Answer

[@jeffhsipepi]

I received a fantastic YT comment yesterday that I want to address for all my videos focused on answering open-ended questions. When questioning the interview question, you want to ask 1 or 2 questions - meaning, you ask, pause, and wait for a response. If your interviewer is answering your questions, try to see if they will answer 1 to 2 more. BUT at a certain point the questions need to go from regular questions to rhetorical questions. You still want to question the interview question, but focus on questioning by saying, I would want to know this, I would want to clarify that, but you need to move past pausing and waiting for a response. Because YES, it will not take your interviewer that long to get annoyed if you pause after every question. I hope this helps and please respond to this comment if you feel like this is another video! Thanks!

[@sevinity4669]

The best Interview prep channel on KZbin. Thank you!

[@jeffhsipepi]

Sevinity, thank you so much, love the compliment!

[@sevinity4669]

@@jeffhsipepi @Jeff H Sipe I'm looking forward to having a coaching call with Eric tomorrow!

[@johnereyimwen1246]

There's so much valuable contents on this video. My advice to audience is to watch to the end

[@akiandvideo]

Very detail and a secret weapon to cut through the open ended question. Thank you

[@jeffhsipepi]

Asking questions and taking your time are keys to success, please comment below, thanks!

[@johnereyimwen1246]

Using a SWOT Analysis for strategic planning and analysis approach to answer part of the complex program is beneficiary as well.

[@jeffhsipepi]

John, yes! SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis is also another great way to answer this question. And I think it would be great to ask your interviewer if they like this approach, making sure they like this type analysis over any other. Great feedback as always! John you are awesome!

[@jacquelinelow7365]

Excellent example, Thanks Jeff.

[@jeffhsipepi]

Thanks Jacqueline!

[@madhurjain7949]

There's so much valuable contents on this video. it helps me in clearing interview

[@jeffhsipepi]

Madhur, awesome, I am glad this video helps!

[@sheryk13]

Hi Jeff, Thank you for the content. Really helpful information. In the example, would the following work better? Framework will include 1. Scope 2. External vs internal 3. Competing vision/priorities among stakeholders 4. Key program metrics 5. HW product related, software or other 6. Timeline I have my onsite this week and your videos have been a great help. Thank you

[@jeffhsipepi]

sheryk13, 1,3, 4, 6 are framework items/concepts, 2,5 should be asked as clarifying questions. But ultimately, how you organized the information is up to you, just make sure the framework concepts are clear.

[@nicolasalvarez9762]

Amazing content, it is really helpful, good job Jeff

[@jeffhsipepi]

Nicolas, thanks so much, glad it helps 😁!

[@poojasankhe2962]

When you are asking questions before the solution - understanding more about the problem statement (old/new, external/internal) - and assuming we have that information - do you use this information while answering the framework?

[@jeffhsipepi]

Pooja, that information should be confirmed after the framework before the solutions in the assumptions stage. The framework does not need a lot of context, it should be high level. I hope this helps!

[@wheresheidy]

When stating “I’d like to take a minute to organize my thoughts” I’m assuming it’s okay to use paper and pen to brainstorm for each question, but should I be thinking out loud to have the interviewer follow along my thought process? Or should I keep that in my head and then explain my thought process and answer.

[@jeffhsipepi]

Heidy, ideally both! It is okay to put your head down, but the longer you do it, the more you might want to give your interviewer insight into how you are thinking. Let me know if you want me to provide more detail. Thanks!

[@wheresheidy]

Jeff H Sipe thank you!

[@keya.moradi]

Hi Jeff, Thank you for the fantastic content! Would you please expand on the acronym you used at 12:10 of the segment?

[@jeffhsipepi]

Keya, thank you for the positive feedback! Great question, SME's - Subject Matter Experts 😁

[@keya.moradi]

@@jeffhsipepi Thank you! I recommend you to all my friends that are interviewing. This is amazing!

[@johnereyimwen1246]

@jeffhsipe do you have any KZbin videos on telephone interview with the hiring manager and how to successfully pass a panel interview?

[@jeffhsipepi]

John, I did a phone interview video as one of my first - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqHMoYSAjJ2cmbM - let me know your thoughts! I have not done a panel interview video yet, but it is on my list, I hope to tackle that one in the next few weeks, so this is a good push for me. Thank you as always for the comments and don't stop!

[@frincyclement]

Hello Jeff, Love your videos! I had one question: if we use the same framework for every open ended questions, our answers are going to be similar right?

[@jeffhsipepi]

Frincy clement, you definitely want to switch up your frameworks. You can use one framework, but add or subtract items accordingly. It is good to go in with a few frameworks and mix and match concepts if possible. I hope this helps!

[@shellyzat]

Hey Jeff, thanks for the amazing content! I was wondering if I'm really expected to touch all of these 10 items in my framework & solution. Is it ok to only present around 5 in the solution and then elaborate on 2-3 items in the solution part? Thanks again!

[@jeffhsipepi]

Shelly, yes, you can definitely trim the framework down to less concepts, I like a minimum of 3. And in your solution, you will focus on diving deeper into one concept at a time.

[@shellyzat]

@@jeffhsipepi Thanks, Jeff!

[@rome5070]

Those 10 steps you gave in the sample answer... Are you advising we rehearse and memorize those 10 steps? And legit list them out like that? Do you have a video on a deeper dive about framing those 10 steps?

[@jeffhsipepi]

Rome, I have done 5 videos on frameworks, but maybe this specific one would be helpful - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJq9g3RmbbCAjaM. My framework concepts are recommendations only, but these concepts seem to work for Program Managers. You don't need to memorize them, but you should utilize some of these concepts and focus on your strengths - try this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZi2naOsr7Fobbc. And lastly, for video interviews, I always recommend a cheat sheet - kzbin.info/www/bejne/emG6f6yapdl9jqM

[@nsmog3921]

How are the questions asked being used to inform the framework? There didn't seem to be any obvious connection between the questions and the eventual answer. Can I embed the questions within the framework? For example, new vs existing program could go under the historical data part?

[@jeffhsipepi]

NS Mog, great question! Sometimes even if we get answers to our clarifying questions, they are not impacting the framework that much. But if you are given answers to the budget, timeline, scope, stakeholders, etc. you can leave those items out. Mostly, the clarifying answers act as a way to tighten the framework and reduce it, rather than add to it. I hope this helps!

[@pinakirm]

Hi Jeff- Thank you for posting these great videos. I want to know for these open ended or hypothetical questions, can we use STARLF method? I understand that we use 'restate, understand the problem, clarify with follow up questions and think out assumptions, and so on' for the open ended questions. But do we merge the STARLF with that? Or STARLF is only for behavioral (tell me when) type of questions? Thanks.

[@jeffhsipepi]

Pinaki, thank you for this question, I definitely get how it can be confusing. So the short answer is yes, STARLF is for answering behavioral interview questions. But, I want you to utilize your behavioral examples to help create open-ended frameworks. Meaning, pull the generic high level concepts out of your behavioral answers and use those concepts to create these frameworks that will help you tackle open-ended questions. Thanks!

[@pinakirm]

Jeff H Sipe - Thank you. I guess what you are saying is for program management role, while providing answers for open ended questions use the ‘concepts’ such as program management methodology, collaboration, leading without authority etc. (and not applying the STARLF). Because we use those same concepts for behavioural questions such as how did you handle conflict etc. I want to reiterate again that your videos are highly illuminating and helpful. Thanks.

[@jeffhsipepi]

@@pinakirm Yes, STARLF is specifically for behavioral questions :). Thank you so much for the positive feedback!

[@pinakirm]

@@jeffhsipepi - Thanks.