Mar 15, The Behavioral Interview Question & Answer Guide

The Behavioral Interview is a proven and widely-used method of exploring a candidate's suitability for the position.

It goes beyond just looking at the candidate's educational and work history to determine the right fit, asking the candidate for specific examples of past behavior as they relate to the job requirements.

The behavioral job interview is based on the logic that past behavior predicts future behavior.

Behavioral interviewing or competency based interviewing explores workplace competencies that are required for successful job performance.

If the job requires a person to be able to analyze and find solutions to problems the interviewer will ask the candidate to provide an example of when they previously displayed that behavior.

"Tell me about a problem you uncovered in your previous job. What steps did you take to sort it out?"

It is often difficult to think of good examples within the time constraints and stressful context of a job interview.

Know which behaviors (sometimes referred to as competencies) are required in the position by reviewing the job description and requirements.

Looking back at your past jobs, prepare good examples using the following technique:

Listen carefully to the questions asked and, if need be, ask for further clarification. Answer with an appropriate and specific example. Often the Interviewer will ask follow-up questions to get more information,

" Tell me why you did that"

"Take me through your decision process"

"How did you feel about that"

so it is essential to have a complete, actual example to draw on.

Click on the list of Common Behavioral Questions & Answers above to help you frame your own examples.

Keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers, it is an attempt to see how you behaved in a given situation. It is not possible to fabricate an example. The Interviewer's in-depth probing will quickly expose this.

Examples can be taken from any context as long as they clearly detail the required behavior.

Click on the specific job interview guides to review a list of behavioral questions relevant to each particular job with guidelines on how to prepare your best answers.

Typical management interview questions can be found at the manager interview questions and answers guide.

Use these expert behavioral job interview tips to give you the confidence that you know how to handle this type of interview.

View these Frequently Asked Behavioral or Situational Interview Questions.

Find expert guidelines to Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions.

View the 12 Core Competencies identified as critical for job success. Different jobs require specific competencies or behaviors but these 12 core competencies are required for acceptable job performance in nearly all career fields.

Be prepared for success in the Behavioral Interview.

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Apr 25, Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions

All answers to behavioral interview questions should be structured around 3 components. The situation or task in which you displayed the behavior in question, the actions you took and the results of these actions. The interviewer is asking you to provide a real-life example of how you have previously used or demonstrated the required job behavior or competency.

The situation or task is the background or context in which you took action. Common situations in which candidates are required to take action include a change in job responsibilities, demands made by managers, colleagues and customers and challenges in meeting job requirements.

The actions are what the candidates did or said in response to the the situation and how they did it. Actions commonly include steps taken to complete a task or project, solving a problem or overcoming a challenge, making a decision and interacting with managers and customers.

The results are the effects or outcomes of the candidates actions. The changes, consequences and differences the actions made and if the actions were effective and appropriate.

Go through the list of 7 common behaviors required for successful job performance in a wide range of job categories.

See what the interviewer is looking for in answers to behavioral questions that explore the competency or behavior. Use the answer guidelines to determine appropriate past situations where you have used or demonstrated the behavior. Prepare and structure your behavioral example to provide the information the interviewer wants.

Planning and Organizing

The examples you present in answers to behavioral questions that determine your ability to plan and organize should include the following actions - establishing clear and realistic objectives, scheduling activities and time parameters to get the job done, setting priorities, knowing which resources are needed and making the best use of these, monitoring your progress and adjusting your activity where necessary. Sample behavioral answer.

Decision Making

Your answers to behavioral interview questions about using your judgment and making decisions should include the following steps in the decision making process - gathering the necessary information and facts, using this information to work out possible courses of action to take, considering alternative courses of action, considering the implications and consequences of different courses of action and carrying out the most appropriate course of action. Involving the necessary stake-holders in the decision-making process is another important aspect of decision-making. Sample behavioral answer.

Problem Solving

Use past examples that demonstrate the following key elements to successful problem analysis and problem solving - finding and gathering all the relevant information from the right sources, organizing and sorting the information to identify the reasons for the problem, coming up with possible solutions to the problem. Sample behavioral answer.

Adaptability

Behavioral examples that you use to demonstrate adaptability should contain these elements - adjusting your behavior, communication style and your approach to match changing tasks, work demands or different people, adjusting priorities to meet new deadlines and information, adjusting activities and attitude to work effectively in a new environment, willing to try new approaches for changed situations, attempting to understand and embrace change positively. Sample behavioral answer.

Initiative

Your choice of behavioral examples to demonstrate the use of initiative should show you to be a person who is able to be proactive and seek out new opportunities, to capitalize on opportunities and come up with new ideas. The interviewer is looking for an individual who is able to solve problems without being asked, come up with new ways to apply existing information and knowledge, to anticipate problems and challenges rather than just reacting to them, to work independently and who is willing to look for ways to improve oneself and one's work environment. Sample behavioral answer.

Teamwork

Answers to behavioral interview questions that explore your ability to work as part of a team should focus on examples that show how you exchange information freely and openly and offer information and ideas to other team members. Highlight how you were able to listen to and acknowledge the input of others, use empathy in dealing with team members, ask for and encourage feedback and help, support team actions and decisions and put the team objectives ahead of your own goals. Sample behavioral answer.

Work Standards

Examples of past behavior that indicate high work standards should include these elements - setting high goals and standards for performance, imposing standards of excellence on oneself, not being satisfied with average performance, assuming responsibility and accountability for one's own successful performance and work outputs. Sample behavioral answer.

Communication

Answers to behavioral interview questions that center on your communication skills require a behavioral example that demonstrates the ability to listen with empathy and respect, avoid interrupting and hearing the person out, receiving the right message by asking appropriate questions and clarifying details, expressing oneself effectively and clearly, using the appropriate language and communication style to match the individual/s you are communicating with. Sample Behavioral Questions.

What is the interviewer not looking for in answers to behavioral interview questions?

The interviewer wants an actual example from your past. What he or she does not want in answers to behavioral interview questions are the following:

Vague responses - these include generalizations that do not provide a specific situation. Avoid using phrases such as "Most of the time...", Usually...", Sometimes..."

Opinions - The interviewer is not asking for your opinion. He or she wants a real-life, factual example of what you did in a certain situation. Avoid phrases such as "I believe...", "I think...", "In my opinion..."

Theoretical responses - these answers indicate what you would do rather than what you did do. Avoid phrases such as "If I had ....", I would have...", "I might.."

Criticism of former colleagues, managers and companies - it is important to provide a straightforward account of what you did in your behavioral example. Bad mouthing other people in your answer will only detract from its validity.

Use the behavioral interview tips and sample answers to behavioral interview questions to prepare thoroughly for challenging behavioral job interviews.

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Apr 20, Behavioral Interview Questions and Sample Answers to Prepare for Success

Common behavioral interview questions include those that explore the ability to problem solve, use your initiative and make sound decisions.
Prepare for your interview with the sample behavior based interview questions and answers below.

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Problem solving is a frequently required workplace competency whether the employer is exploring management competencies, sales competencies, customer service competencies or adminsitrative competencies.

Describe a difficult problem you had to sort out in your last job (Problem-solving)

This behavior based interviewing question is designed to explore your ability to identify, analyze and solve problems.

Show how you are able to gather and organize the necessary information and identify the best solution.

Here is a sample behavioral interview answer that you can use as a guide to develop your own good answer.

"We were getting a lot of complaints about late deliveries. (Situation)

I met with the staff involved in the customer delivery department and discovered that the problem seemed to be with the stock coming through on time.

I investigated and found that requests for new inventory were not been processed fast enough. The backlog was in the orders department as they were not following up adequately with the suppliers. A system for regular follow up was quickly implemented. (Action)

This sorted out the stock problems and the delivery staff were able to meet their deadlines." (Result)

Describe a new idea or suggestion that you made to your supervisor recently (initiative)

The ability to use your initiative is often explored during competency based interviewing. The interviewer wants to know if you are proactive and able to generate workable ideas. Show how you are a self-starter who will take action beyond what is asked of you.

" I work in orders and the company was launching a new product. The sales team had in-depth training on it but we had none. (Situation)

I suggested that the orders department should also receive the training so that we would understand what was being ordered and be able to answer any questions if necessary. It was agreed we would all undergo a short version of the training. (Action)

This meant that we could deal professionally with the orders and it also motivated us, feeling part of the launch excitement." (Result)

Tell me about a time that you had to use your judgment and make a decision in your previous job (judgment/decision-making)

Judgment is another essential behavioral competency in the workplace. The interviewer is exploring your ability to make logical decisions and take action. Show how you consider all the relevant facts, weigh up the alternatives and commit to the most appropriate action.

"I was responsible for ordering office supplies for the company. (Situation)

The company always ordered a month's supply at a time to keep inventory costs low. I had to decide whether to keep doing this or buy six month's supply and get a discount for ordering such a big volume and escape possible future price increases. I did some research and worked out we could reduce our costs by buying for six months, especially since the amount we used remained practically unchanged month on month. (Action)

I was right, the prices went up quite a bit during those six months." (Result)

Remember that these are sample answers that can be used to help you formulate your own examples from your previous jobs or other contexts when answering behavioral interview questions like these.

Behavioral interview tips and techniques.

Prepare for the relevant behavioral interview question by clicking on the table above to view more sample behavioral interview questions and answers and prepare for success!

View these Frequently Asked Behavioral or Situational Interview Questions.

View the 12 core competencies around which the majority of behavioral or competency based interview questions are asked.

To view behavioral interview questions asked in the manager interview, the project manager interview and the quality assurance interview with sample answer guidelines.

Prepare for frequently asked interview questions that include standard questions such as "Tell me about yourself" and "Why should we hire you?".

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