15
STAR Questions
8 min
Reading Time
5
Criteria evaluated
+34%
Innovation impact
Why assess creativity in interviews
Creativity isn't reserved for artistic roles. It solves complex problems, improves processes and drives innovation at all levels. High-performing companies recruit profiles who challenge the status quo.
15 behavioural STAR questions
| Question | What is evaluated | Expected answer |
|---|---|---|
| Describe a project with an original solution. | Innovation | Problem, new idea, implementation, result |
| How do you generate new ideas? | Creative process | Research, brainstorming, cross-inspiration |
| Your idea was rejected. What did you do? | Creative resilience | Adaptation or pivot to better solution |
| How do you turn constraints into opportunities? | Lateral thinking | Positive reframing of limitations |
| Describe a process improvement you initiated. | Continuous improvement | Observation, proposal, measured gains |
| How do you stimulate creativity in teams? | Creative leadership | Facilitation, trust, idea diversity |
| Example combining ideas from different domains. | Cross-domain thinking | Unexpected connection, concrete result |
| How do you evaluate the viability of a creative idea? | Critical thinking | Feasibility, quick testing, feedback |
| Tell me about a creative failure. Lessons learned? | Learning | Honest analysis, next iteration |
| How do you stay creative under pressure? | Stress management | Problem framing, prioritisation |
| How did you convince others of a new idea? | Persuasion | Argumentation, prototype, proof of concept |
| How do you integrate feedback into your creativity? | Openness | Listening, iteration, measurable improvement |
| Example of frugal innovation you delivered. | Resourcefulness | Significant result, limited resources |
| How do you manage doubt about unconventional ideas? | Confidence | Validation through data, pilot test |
| How did you turn a failure into success? | Resilience | Creative pivot, positive final outcome |
- 1
Open questions
Let candidates develop their thinking freely.
- 2
Observe reasoning
Creativity is measured in the journey, not just the result.
- 3
Practical case
Give a real problem and observe the candidate's approach.
- 4
Measure impact
Ask for concrete results from creative initiatives.
Signals to observe
Avantages
- Natural curiosity and pertinent questions
- Varied examples from different contexts
- Explicable creative process
- Concrete results from original ideas
Inconvénients
- Theoretical answers without real examples
- Unable to explain how the idea originated
- Resistance to feedback
- Confusion between creativity and gratuitous originality
Recommended exercise
Present a common problem and ask for 3 solution paths in 5 minutes. Observe the diversity of approaches.
How to evaluate creativity without bias?
Objective criteria: number of approaches, feasibility, originality vs sector standards.
Can creativity be measured in interviews?
Yes, via situation-based questions and STAR questions. The thinking process is more revealing than the result.
Do all roles need creativity?
Yes, to varying degrees. Even technical roles benefit from innovative problem solving.
How to distinguish creativity from fantasy?
Productive creativity generates measurable results. Verify concrete impact of ideas.
Is a dedicated test needed?
A 10-minute exercise complements STAR questions well. Prefer a case close to the role.
Evaluate creativity methodically
Aurélia structures your interviews to score each competency objectively.