Although certain job patterns require specific people with critical thinking skills. The reality is that the best kind of people to have for every kind of job are critical thinkers. People who don’t agree with this can make it a home with this article to learn all about critical thinking skills. What’s more, is that this post is for both interviewers and job hunters as well. Everyone will learn what critical thinking skills means as well as sample interview questions to identify people with that skill.
Critical Thinking Interview Questions
Critical thinking interview questions involve asking job candidates certain kinds of questions. These questions center around having to deploy critical thinking skills. Continue reading to learn how to ask the right kind of critical thinking questions that suit the vacant job position.
What Is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is a thought process that lets people evaluate & calculate judgments and answers. Plus, objectively examine and appraise information. Critical thinking is comparable to impulsive, reactive thought patterns that result in quick, primarily emotional reactions.
Critical thinking involves mentally analyzing situations on the ground bit by bit, not leaving anything out. Then coming up at the end with the best and most viable solution/answer. That’s fair and just, which isn’t clouded by emotions or favoritism.
Above all, people that possess this skill offer logical counsel, well-considered ideas, and objective evaluations. That’s why they appear as the most indispensable workers in a working space.
Four Basic Steps Critical Thinkers Take To Arrive At A Solution
Indeed some people are naturally talented to be critical thinkers, those people are critical people by personality. However, critical thinking skill is a skill anyone can learn to adopt.
It’ll only take several practices with real-life situations before they know it, they’ll possess the critical thinking skills. That’s why this article reveals below the four basic ways critical thinkers react to situations.
Also, knowing these four basic ways will help the interviewer pick the best candidate for the job offer during interviews. Creating a real-life scenario related to the job offer is the best interview question to ask candidates. Those four basic steps include;
Explicit Analysis Of The Situation
Critical thinkers can perceive and evaluate a (possible) problem or data set. People with this skill start by trying to have a clear understanding of the situation on the ground.
Then they let their brain and heart work on a neutral ground. They remain very honest with themselves while trying to understand the situation.
They Get Creative
After careful observation and analysis, critical thinker creativity and invention to find patterns in the information or data sets in. To find a solution no one else has thought of before, they try to think in and out of the box.
Critical thinkers are deep thinkers as well. They try to think about every possible solution they can come up with. Having to tackle something different from other techniques calls for adaptability, conceptualization, and inventiveness.
This is one of the skills a critical person possesses. They think deeply and get creative trying to come up with the best solution.
Possession Of Strong Communication Skills
It’s essential to effectively and efficiently exchange ideas and solutions with others. Critical thinkers are good communicators as regards sharing their ideas and findings with coworkers.
These people understand that interpersonal, collaboration, plus, teamwork are important. As such they’re active listeners, they listen to everyone and try to carry everyone along in finding a solution.
Working with others is also a crucial element of the critical thinking process. While determining the best solution to business difficulties.
They Go For The Best Solution
Once they’ve completed an analysis and come up with several possible solutions. Choosing an effective answer and examining the implications of this decision is an important component of critical thinking.
Therefore they make sure that whatever solution/answer they settle for is the best and most productive. Which necessitates adaptability to change the course of action as needed during the implementation phase.
The Right Steps To Take In Preparing For Critical Thinking Interview Questions
As the days roll by, the job markets keep getting competitive. Also, companies and job takers prefer asking critical thinking relative questions.
This pops the need to provide in this article the right steps every job seeker must take to have a good shot during interviews. These steps are straightforward to follow, they are as follows;
Do Your Homework
Doing homework as a job seeker involves trying to gather all the possible information about the job they’re applying for. They should carry out thorough research on the following;
- The possible questions interviewers can ask which are related to the job they’re applying for.
- The necessary skills required for the job.
- Make research on how the company works, its mission statements, plans, and vision. As well as their dos and don’ts.
Pen Down Required Skills
After carrying out every necessary research on the skills needed for the job offer. They should research the general skills required for the job. As well as the skills requirements the company wants for the job.
The job hunters should pen down each of the required skills. Doing this will help find out if they possess any of the required skills. It is from here they’ll know if they should still go ahead with the interview or not.
Make A Mental Re-visit Of Past Jobs Experiences
To have a better understanding of one’s capability for the job offer. They should make a mental re-visit of their past jobs. The job seeker should pen down the experiences and skills they deployed in their past job experience.
This will help make a decision on their level of competence for the job offer. Also, interviewers ask questions as regards how the job seekers had handled such or similar scenarios questions they’re asking. Therefore the job seeker must remember every detail of their past work experiences.
Interview Yourself
By now, the job seeker will have gathered and have full knowledge of the job they’re applying for. To prepare adequately for the interview, they can set up a mini-interview session by themselves.
This mini-interview involves asking themselves every possible question interviewers can ask them during the interview. Then proceed to find the best answers to those questions.
Practice Star Method
The STAR method is an acronym for Solution, Task, Action, and Result. This is a technique interviewers use when they’re interviewing job candidates.
While performing a mini-interview, it’s best to use the Star method. Here’s how to implement each of the Star techniques;
S for Situation
The candidate should start their response by describing the situation they were in. The first part of their ‘story’ response should answer questions such as;
- What exactly was the situation/problem?
- Who took part?
- What caused the situation to occur at that time?
It’s essential to establish context for the problem that is required to be solved. Additionally, they’ll need to provide pertinent details concerning the reason they needed to employ their critical thinking skills in that situation.
T for Task
Next, they should learn and offer a precise position in the upcoming assignment. This includes critical information, such as specified responsibilities.
They’re to focus on explaining their role in solving the situation. This section of their response should address questions such as:
- Why were they in that particular situation?
- What’s the backstory here?
- What roles do they take in the situation?
A for Action
After they’ve understood and described their task. They’ll explain the steps they took to solve the problem.
By providing a detailed account of what they did. This section of their response should address issues such as:
- What steps did they take to get out of your situation?
- Why did they choose this method of completing their tasks?
R for Result
They’re to finish their response by discussing the outcomes of their activities. Give details on the outcomes of their actions while emphasizing their talents.
Also, they must remember to take responsibility for the actions that resulted in the outcome. They need to concentrate on positive outcomes and learning experiences. This section of their ‘story’ response should address questions such as:
- What exactly occurred?
- What did they achieve?
- How did they feel about the outcomes?
- What did they take away from the experience?
- How has this situation shaped who they are as a professional today?
Conclusion
This article has provided what it means to possess critical thinking skills. How to identify people that possess the skills. Plus, the best steps to take in preparing for successful interviews. It’s a must-read for interviewers and job seekers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can one identify a good critical thinking interview question?
A good critical thinking interview question is when the interviewer asks how fast the candidate takes to find a solution. Also, it involves asking the candidate how they solve past experiences in the workspace.
2. Does possess critical thinking skills to help with daily living?
Critical thinking skills help people make better decisions in the everyday issues of life.
3. Are there barriers to possessing critical thinking skills?
Yes, the main barrier includes being self-centered. As well as giving too much reliance on one’s emotions and feelings.
