Acing the Interview for an Integrity Role

With funding instability and shifting job landscapes, professionals in integrity are navigating an uncertain future. However, the demand for skilled investigators, lawyers, ethics officers, and compliance professionals remains strong. Whether you’re actively job hunting or preparing for future opportunities, mastering the interview process is key to securing a role in this competitive field.


Securing a position in investigations, legal, HR, ethics, compliance, or anti-corruption requires more than technical expertise. Interviews assess ethical judgment, resilience, and problem-solving skills in complex cases. Understanding how to prepare for technical, behavioral, and situational questions can help you stand out.


1. Prepare for Technical and Conceptual Questions


Hiring panels evaluate candidates on their knowledge of investigative methodologies, ethical frameworks, and decision-making processes. Understanding these concepts is essential for success. Some examples include:


The PEACE Model and Interviewing Ethics


The PEACE Model (Preparation and Planning, Engage and Explain, Account, Closure, Evaluate) is a structured approach to ethical and non-coercive investigative interviewing. Many international organizations expect professionals to apply this method to ensure fairness, transparency, and accuracy in information gathering.


Survivor-Centered Approach


A survivor-centered approach prioritizes the safety, dignity, and autonomy of victims or witnesses during investigations. Employers may ask about strategies to build trust, ensure confidentiality, and avoid retraumatization when handling sensitive cases.


Understanding the Fraud Triangle


The Fraud Triangle explains three key factors behind fraudulent behavior:


  • Pressure – The motivation to commit fraud, such as financial struggles or unrealistic expectations.
  • Opportunity – Weak internal controls that enable misconduct to go undetected.
  • Rationalization – The justification individuals use to excuse unethical actions.


Employers may ask candidates how they would apply these models in real-world investigations to assess risk and prevent misconduct.

2. Master Behavioral and Situational Questions


Behavioral and situational interview questions assess how candidates apply integrity, ethical reasoning, and investigative skills in real-world scenarios.


Common Behavioral Questions

  • Tell me about a time you investigated procurement fraud and how you handled it.
  • Describe a situation where you leveraged technology in a case.
  • Tell me about a time your integrity was challenged and how you coped with it.


Using the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) helps structure responses clearly. Candidates should focus on demonstrating analytical thinking, ethical decision-making, and resilience under pressure.


Situational Questions and Problem-Solving


Situational questions assess a candidate’s ability to navigate complex cases and investigations. For example:


  • What steps would you take in a fraud investigation?
  • An employee raises concerns about retaliation for reporting misconduct—how do you proceed?
  • You receive an anonymous report about corruption involving senior staff. What’s your next step?


Candidates should provide a structured response, walking through key investigative steps such as initial assessment, evidence collection, interviewing, and reporting. Demonstrating a fair and methodical approach is key to impressing hiring panels.



3. Demonstrate Cross-Cultural Awareness


Investigators and ethics professionals in international organizations must operate across diverse cultural, linguistic, and legal environments. Understanding how to adapt investigative approaches while maintaining ethical and procedural consistency is critical.


Be prepared to discuss how you have adapted investigative approaches to different legal and cultural contexts, ensuring compliance while maintaining ethical standards. Share experiences working with diverse teams or conducting investigations across regions, highlighting how you navigated linguistic, regulatory, or procedural differences. Additionally, reflect on challenges posed by varying ethical norms and explain how you addressed them while upholding integrity and fairness


Hiring managers assess whether candidates can build trust, communicate effectively, and apply ethical standards consistently across various cultural settings.


4. Showcase Resilience and Self-Awareness


Investigative and integrity-focused roles are often high-pressure and emotionally demanding. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to manage stress, remain objective, and make sound ethical decisions under challenging circumstances.


Candidates should discuss practical coping mechanisms such as:


  • Mindfulness and self-regulation techniques to stay grounded.
  • Team collaboration and debriefing to ensure balanced decision-making.
  • Seeking mentorship and professional support to navigate complex cases.

Employers look for candidates who can manage emotional and ethical challenges without compromising investigative integrity.


5. Ask Thoughtful Questions


Candidates should use the interview as an opportunity to engage hiring panels with meaningful questions that demonstrate genuine interest in the role and the organization’s integrity practices.

Thoughtful Questions to Ask:


  • What are the team's current priorities and how could I support these priorities?
  • What is the most important thing I should accomplish in the first 90 days and what metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?
  • How does the organization ensure that investigators receive ongoing training?


Final Thoughts


Landing an integrity or investigative role in an international organization requires more than technical qualifications. Success in the interview phase depends on demonstrating ethical judgment, adaptability, resilience, and a structured approach to investigations.


By preparing for technical, behavioral, and situational questions, candidates can showcase their ability to navigate ethical challenges, work in cross-cultural environments, and contribute to a strong integrity culture.


For those looking to stay ahead in their integrity careers, mastering these interview techniques is a key step toward securing the right opportunity.


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Hi, I'm Sârra-Tilila!

I help international organizations and NGOs strengthen their integrity frameworks through internal policy development, tailored trainings, misconduct investigations, and dispute resolution. With over a decade of legal and investigative experience, I’ve worked extensively in Africa and collaborated with global giants like the World Bank and the World Food Programme.


My work is driven by a deep passion for tackling fraud and corruption while promoting transparency and accountability in international development. If you’re looking for expert support to achieve your organization’s integrity goals, let’s connect!

© 2022 par Sârra-Tilila Bounfour