Ethical and compliance issues are common in every organisation. From harassment and discrimination to health and safety issues, a Compliance Officer must deal with an array of unethical work practices. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to be fair when applying compliance policies
• Knowledge of ethical and compliance issues in an organisation
• Ability to develop and implement legal compliance programs

Sometimes, Compliance Officers receive complaints regarding senior-level employees violating policies. The applicant should be capable of dealing with rule breakers regardless of the position in your organisation. What to look for in an answer:

• Skills in implementing compliance policies regardless of employee seniority
• Evidence of handling difficult situations
• Respect for the company's ethics and code of conduct

One of the duties of a Compliance Officer is maintaining the confidentiality of employees who report a breach of policies. Unless the employees trust the officer, they're less likely to report compliance issues in the company. Look for applicants who can successfully handle policy violation without revealing the name of the complainant. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to keep employee's information private
• Trustworthy
• Evidence of maintaining the confidentiality

In the digital age, employees may find different ways to violate policies. The compliance policies of every company change with time and a Compliance Officer must oversee the implementation process from start to finish. What to look for in an answer:

• Strategic thinking process
• Ability to implement new compliance policies
• Planning process for implementing a new policy

Compliance Officers often work as a part of a team. The officer must take the initiatives and direct others about the potential compliance issues in their actions. Asking applicants this question helps establish an effective team for your company. What to look for in an answer:

• Leadership qualities
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities
• Demonstration of critical thinking skills

With regulatory reforms changing now and then, a Compliance Officer must be up-to-date with the latest policies and rules. Ill-informed officers are likely to put your company's reputation and money at risk. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to research the latest compliance policies
• Interest in filling the knowledge gap
• Ability to apply the changing compliance policies

Often, Compliance Officers work in a team and across different departments as they ensure company-wide compliance. It requires interpersonal and people skills to work for the best interest of the compliance department. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to work with departments other than compliance
• Ability to work in cross-department teams
• Excellent interpersonal and people skills

A Compliance Officer cannot maintain the ethical integrity of your company alone. It's a collective effort and therefore it's essential to train employees about the relevant policies and possible disciplinary actions for violation. What to look for in an answer:

• Communication skills
• Ability to provide training
• Understanding of policies and regulatory guidelines

Technology has become commonplace as a compliance tool for many organisations. This question helps assess the applicant's ability to use the latest technology for risk and compliance management. What to look for in an answer:

• Interest in learning new technologies
• Skills relevant to the industry
• Knowledgeable about compliance management software

Use this question to understand the applicant's motivation for becoming a Compliance Officer. What to look for in an answer:

• The motivation to follow a challenging career path
• Strong desire to enforce compliance
• Knowledge of the role