Some good/relevant initiative quotes:
“Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.” – Victor Hugo
“Organization can never be a substitute for initiative and judgment.” – Louis D. Brandeis
Why Initiative is Important in the Workplace
These days, employers look for skills that go beyond academic qualifications in interviewees.
Many believe that academic qualifications and experience are easily attainable, but good communication skills (i.e., interpersonal relationship skills) and, most importantly, initiative skills are rare to find.
If an interviewee possesses at least one of these skills and succeeds in demonstrating them to the employer, they are likely to secure the job, as these skills indicate talented employees and potential leaders.
Furthermore, the job can become a rewarding career from thereon. While the rest of the skills can be developed to some extent, initiative skills reveal the mindset of an individual.
Thus, communication and initiative skills are among the most important.
Do you take the initiative? Interview Question on Initiative Management
Let’s understand the relevance of initiative skills during an interview.
Demonstrating Self-Initiative in the Workplace
Initiative meaning and definition: The power to suggest and take a course of action.
- Are you someone who takes the first step/move?
- Do you take responsibility for initiating new actions in your job?
If so, you must describe your initiative behavior to potential employers.
When asked, “Do you take initiative in the workplace?” the interviewee should not simply reply, “Yes, I do.”
They should support their answer with good examples from their work history, highlighting instances where they initiated actions that made a difference in their job.
(Further reading: “Tell me about a suggestion you have made in your previous jobs that made a difference?”)
Some examples of initiative in the workplace include:
- Organizational activities
- Effective prioritization
- Strong problem-solving abilities
- Succession planning operations for project managers
- Short-term and long-term goal plans
- Performance management and monitoring
- Policy addresses – clear policies and practices
- Networking and building relationships.
- Change management
5 Strategies to answering the interview question –
“Do you take the initiative in your work?”
1. Highlighting initiative in previous roles: When answering this question, provide specific examples from your previous roles where you demonstrated your initiative-taking abilities.
Talk about situations where you identified a problem or an opportunity for improvement and took the initiative to address it. Share how your proactive actions led to positive outcomes or helped streamline processes.
This demonstrates your ability to go beyond the expected and take ownership of your work.
2. Self-motivation and resourcefulness: Initiative often goes hand in hand with self-motivation and resourcefulness.
Discuss how you have taken the initiative to seek out new knowledge, learn new skills, or find creative solutions to challenges in your work.
Highlight instances where you proactively sought resources or information to enhance your performance or overcome obstacles, showing that you take responsibility for your own growth and development.
3. Initiative in teamwork and collaboration: Initiative is not limited to individual actions; it can also be displayed in teamwork and collaboration.
Share examples of how you have taken the initiative to foster collaboration within your team or across departments.
This could include initiating brainstorming sessions, suggesting process improvements, or volunteering to take on additional responsibilities to support team goals. Demonstrating your ability to initiate and drive collaboration shows that you are not only focused on your own tasks but also on the overall success of the team.
4. Going above and beyond: Talk about instances where you have gone above and beyond your assigned responsibilities to contribute to the organization.
This could involve taking on additional projects, volunteering for cross-functional teams, or suggesting and implementing innovative ideas that had a positive impact on the company.
Emphasize your willingness to take on challenges and stretch yourself beyond the boundaries of your role, illustrating your proactive and initiative-driven mindset.
5. Results-oriented approach: Initiative is closely tied to achieving results. Discuss how you have set goals for yourself, taken the initiative to track progress, and adjusted strategies as needed to ensure successful outcomes.
Highlight instances where your proactive approach led to measurable improvements, increased efficiency, or cost savings for your team or organization.
By showcasing your results-oriented mindset, you demonstrate your ability to take initiative and deliver tangible value.
Remember, when discussing your initiative skills during an interview, provide specific examples and outcomes to support your claims.
This will help the interviewer gain a clear understanding of your proactive nature and how it translates into valuable contributions in the workplace.
The Best Example: Successful change management in the workplace is considered the top initiative of a manager. If you were a key part of a change in your previous jobs, do not forget to mention this important information about yourself.
Interviewer: “Do you have initiative skills? Can you demonstrate any?”
Interviewee:
“Yes, I do possess sound initiative skills. As a matter of fact, due to this skill, I contacted the HR department beforehand and inquired about the prerequisites for the interview.
Although most of it was mentioned in the interview schedule, I still inquired about it. Due to taking such an initiative, I learned the need for bringing references and certificates, which I have brought with me.”
What does the interviewer infer from a good answer about initiative?
Clearly, the interviewee has demonstrated their initiative-taking behavior and further validated it by presenting reference certificates. The interviewer can learn the following about them:
1. The interviewee takes initiatives, not just when told to, but on their own. This is a rare and highly sought-after trait.
2. The interviewee anticipates future requirements and plans in advance. Moreover, they are proactive in taking initiatives to confirm and act on them.
Overall, the interviewer is likely to be impressed by the interviewee, increasing their chances of qualifying for the next round of job interviews.