By Mike SimpsonUPDATED 6/5/2022 Show
Most job seekers know that they’ll face off against some behavioral interview questions during their next interview. But knowing which ones you’ll encounter – and how to approach answering them – is the essential part of the equation. That way, you’ll be ready for what the hiring manager is likely to ask, increasing the odds that you’ll impress. Are you ready to check out the world of behavioral-based interview questions? Here’s what you need to know. What Are Behavioral Interview Questions?Before we look at some behavioral interview questions and answers, let’s talk about what these types of questions are and why they come up. In the simplest sense, a behavioral interview question gauges how you think and act in various situations. Many questions of this kind focus on scenarios, requiring you to outline what you did (or would do) under specific circumstances. There’s a good reason why hiring managers turn to these questions during an interview. Unlike traditional interview questions – which mainly assess whether you have particular technical capabilities – these give the hiring managers overviews of capabilities that are harder to ask about directly. Usually, your answer helps the hiring manager assess your mindset and soft skills. Plus, they’ll learn more about the hard skills you use to handle challenges or address problems of a particular nature. In some cases, hiring managers ask behavioral interview questions because they think past performance is a predictor of future success. However, whether that’s true isn’t actually clear. One report indicated that prior work experience – essentially, past behavior – didn’t guarantee a solid performance at a new company, even if the new hire had related experience. But a different study showed that behavioral interviewing was 55 percent predictive of future behavior at work, while traditional interviews were a mere 10 percent predictive. Since 73 percent of hiring professionals use behavioral interviews, it’s best to be ready regardless. That way, you can excel when those questions become part of the equation. How to Answer Behavioral Interview QuestionsWhen it comes to how to answer behavioral interview questions, you need to present applicable examples. It could be describing a moment from your past or outlining the steps you’d take based on a theoretical scenario. In either case, you need a strong strategy for creating a meaningful response. What’s the best way to get started? By getting to know the STAR Method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Results. Essentially, it’s a framework for your answer. First, you’ll outline a situation that applies to the question. Next, you’ll discuss the task you had to undertake, followed by a description of what you did, including the skills you used along the way. Finally, you’ll dive into the result, summarizing the outcome. That’s the gist of the STAR Method. Based on what you’ve likely learned about behavioral interview questions, you can like see why people sometimes refer to them as STAR interview questions. If you want to learn more, you can check out our in-depth article on the STAR Method for a deep dive into how to use it effectively. After you get comfortable with the STAR Method, it’s time to add the Tailoring Method to the mix. The Tailoring Method is all about relevancy, ensuring your answer directly speaks to the hiring manager’s needs. That way, your response isn’t just compelling; it also positions you as an exceptional match for the precise role the hiring manager is filling. In fact we we wanted to let you know that we created an amazing free checklist for behavioral questions that covers all the critical info you need when dealing with these tricky types of job interview questions!Click below to get your free PDF now: CLICK HERE TO GET THE BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW CHECKLIST How to Prepare for Behavioral Interview QuestionsPreparing for behavioral interview questions might seem challenging, but it’s far simpler when you realize that the biggest step is to have a few stories ready. In most cases, you want to begin working out what to share by reviewing the job description. In the end, developing fantastic answers for STAR method interview questions starts with relevancy. By choosing moments from your career or education that apply to the job and the situations presented in the question, you can start using the STAR and Tailoring Methods to form great answers. Another important tip is to make sure each of your stories has a formal conclusion. After giving them the results, tell the hiring manager something about what you learned from the experience or how it continues to shape you as a professional. That gives your answer a bit of something extra. Top 10 Common Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers1. Tell me about a time when you had to juggle multiple priority tasks. How did you decide where to begin?This question helps the hiring manager assess a few things. Along with your ability to handle stress, it lets them learn more about how you organize your work when you have multiple critical activities on your plate. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
2. How do you manage stress on the job?Workplace stress can harm an employee’s performance. As a result, hiring managers want to know what you do to keep yourself calm and level, even when you’re faced with challenges. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
3. Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a coworker. How did you navigate the situation?This is one of the most common behavioral interview questions because hiring managers want to know that you can navigate the typical disagreements that can occur at work. It’s also a way to gauge your interpersonal skills and self-reliance. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
4. Describe a time when you had to adapt quickly to a change in priorities.Regardless of whether a workplace is fast- or slow-paced, unexpected events can occur. Hiring managers want to know that you can shift gears quickly if the need arises, so they ask questions like this one to assess your agility. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
5. Can you tell me about a time when you failed on the job?This is probably one of the most uncomfortable interview questions around, as you have to talk about a time when things didn’t go to plan, leading to a poor outcome. However, it’s also an important one for hiring managers to ask. With this question, hiring managers can see how you handle mistakes and recover from failures. Plus, they can assess your honesty, accountability, and self-awareness. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
6. Tell me about a time when you led a team.With this question, the hiring manager is trying to learn more about your leadership skills. Additionally, they might be looking for insights about how you oversee the work of others and keep multiple people on target as they work toward a singular goal. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
MIKE'S TIP: If you don’t have an example from work, that’s okay. You can use one from school or a volunteer experience instead. As long as you took the reins and guided others, it’s a valid way to answer the question, even if the project itself was fairly small and limited in scope. 7. Describe a time when you had to deal with an upset customer. How did you handle it?Whether you’re looking for a retail job, a sales position, a tech support role, or anything in those veins, there’s a chance you’ll have to deal with an upset customer at some point. Hiring managers ask this question to see how you’ve navigated this type of challenge in the past, allowing them to determine if you have a reasonable strategy. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
8. How do you approach goal-setting?Most hiring managers know that goal-setting is a powerful tool that can facilitate greater success. As a result, they want to see how candidates view goal-setting, leading them to ask this question. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
9. Tell me about your greatest professional accomplishment.This behavioral interview question does a few things. First, it lets the hiring manager learn more about your values. Second, it gives them insights into your skills and achievements, both of which can help them determine if you’re the right fit for the job. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
10. Tell me about a time you had to make an unpopular decision.If you’re applying for a management role, this is one of the most common behavioral questions you’ll encounter. Many members of the leadership team have to make difficult choices, and sometimes, they won’t resonate with team members. The hiring manager wants to know that you can handle those situations, so they ask questions like this one to gauge your capabilities. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
40 More Behavioral Interview Questions
Putting It All TogetherUltimately, the questions above are some of the most common behavioral interview questions around. By preparing for those, your odds of interview success will go up. Use the tips and examples as a guide, ensuring you can create your own great answers before your next meeting with a hiring manager. To make sure you’re 110% prepared we’ve prepared a cool PDF checklist that you should download… FREE: Behavioral Interview Questions PDF ChecklistOk the next thing you should do is download our handy "Behavioral Interview Questions Checklist PDF". In it you'll get 25 common behavioral questions along with tips on how to answer them and the traps you need to avoid.... All in a beautifully designed pdf Jeff spent hours working on. ---- He made me put that in 😉 CLICK HERE TO GET THE BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW CHECKLISTCo-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page. What are the 10 most common behavioral interview questions and answers?Behavioral Interview Questions and Sample Answers. Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure. ... . How do you handle a challenge? ... . Have you ever made a mistake? ... . Give an example of how you set goals. ... . Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.. What are the 8 hardest interview questions and answers?The most difficult interview questions (and answers). What is your greatest weakness? Strengths-and-weaknesses interview questions are a given. ... . Why should we hire you? ... . What's something that you didn't like about your last job? ... . Why do you want this job? ... . How do you deal with conflict with a co-worker?. What is the best way to answer Behavioural interview questions?Step-by-step: How to answer using the STAR method. Situation: Describe the context of the situation: Who, what, when, where, and why.. Task: Explain your responsibility in the situation. What did you have to do?. Action: Explain how you responded to, solved, or completed the task.. Result: Explain the outcome.. What are standard behavioral interview questions?Common Behavioral Interview Questions. What makes an ideal coworker in your eyes?. How do you prioritize projects under pressure?. How would handle your schedule when it's interrupted?. Have you ever bent company policy to satisfy a client?. How have you handled setbacks at work?. |