We provide competency-based behavioral interviewing training for interview teams including hiring managers, recruiters, and interviewers.

Kennedy's Column

The Continuum Question

We've heard college counselors have advised candidates on strategies to counter the "continuum question" in the job interview. Here are a few examples of continuum questions.

"Where do you see yourself on a continuum between being tactful/assertive?"

Or "Where do you see yourself on a continuum between being detail-oriented/conceptual?"

One strategy is for candidates to position themselves in the middle: "I'm good at both." When that happens, try to push the candidate off dead center with another question, such as, "If you had to choose one side, where are you most likely to be?"

Another popular strategy is to avoid answering by claiming that the two qualities you selected do not belong on a linear continuum because they are not really opposites. When that happens, simply reword the interview question: "Do you tend to see yourself more as detail-oriented or as conceptual?"

Check out additional quick tips for interviewers.


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