Behavioral Interview Questions And Answers - DoAnswers.com

Behavioral interviewing is a style of interviewing that was developed in the 1970's by industrial psychologists. Behavioral interviewing asserts that "the most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation." Currently, most organizations are using behavioral interviewing to some degree.

Behavioral interviewing is a technique used by employers in which the questions asked assist the employer in making predictions about a potential employee's future success based on actual past behaviors, instead of based on responses to hypothetical questions.

In behavior-based interviews, you are asked to give specific examples of when you demonstrated particular behaviors or skills.

General answers about behavior are not what the employer is looking for. You must describe in detail a particular event, project, or experience and you dealt with the situation, and what the outcome was.

Behavioral interviewing emphasizes past performance and behaviors. As a consequence, candidates unprepared for the rigor of behavioral interviewing have not fared well. Simply practicing the list of common interview questions no longer works.

Why should you prepare for behavioral interview?

Candidates who prepare for behavioral interviews are better prepared - even for traditional interviews.

Using behavioral answers works well with inexperienced interviewers.

Companies that invest the time and energy in developing behavioral interviews often attract top candidates. Top candidates make the company a more desirable place to work.

How do I prepare for a behavioral interview?

Companies that employ behavioral interviewing have predetermined the skill sets they require for a particular position. These skill sets could include: decision making and problem solving, leadership, motivation, communication, interpersonal skills, planning and organization, critical thinking skills, team building and the ability to influence others. The company determines the skill sets by doing a detailed analysis of the position they are seeking to fill. Job seekers also must go through this same process.

How have you demonstrated initiative?

How have you motivated yourself to complete an assignment or task that you did not want to do?

Think about a difficult boss, professor or other person. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

Think about a complex project or assignment that you have been assigned. What approach did you take to complete it?

Tell me about the riskiest decision that you have made.

Can you tell me about an occasion where you needed to work with a group to get a job done?

Describe when you or a group that you were a part of were in danger of missing a deadline. What did you do?

Tell me about a time when you worked with a person who did things very differently from you. How did you get the job done?

Describe your three greatest accomplishments to date.

Tell me about a situation when you had to learn something new in a short time. How did you proceed?

Can you tell me about a complex problem that you solved? Describe the process you utilized.

Tell me about a challenge that you successfully met.

Walk me through a situation where you had to do research and analyze the results for one of your classes.

What leadership positions have you held? Describe your leadership style.

Have you generated any new ideas or suggestions while at school or at work?

Summarize a situation where you successfully persuaded others to do something or to see your point of view.

Give an example of when your persistence had the biggest payoff.

Describe a situation where class assignments and work or personal activities conflicted. How did you prioritize? How did you manage your time? What was the outcome?

How have you most constructively dealt with disappointment and turned it into a learning experience?

Describe a situation in which you effectively developed a solution to a problem by combining different perspectives or approaches.

Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.

Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.

Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.

Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone's opinion.

Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.

Please discuss an important written document you were required to complete.

Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.

Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.

What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.

Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).

Tell me about a difficult decision you've made in the last year.

Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.

Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.

Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.

Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.

Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.

Give me an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.

Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.

Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.

Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.

Please tell me about a time you had to fire a friend.

Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).