Mastering behavioral interview answers
Behavioral interviewing requires you to give an answer where you describe those specific actions in more detail to demonstrate your thinking processes and problem solving skills. There is no pat answer to behavioral job interview questions, but if you learn their format, and anticipate what the employer might ask, then learn how to respond, then you'll be able to present as an ideal candidate. Expect that these types of questions will be standard fare in your next interview.
Tough interview questions
Have you ever had to answer interview questions that began:Then you've been in a behaviorial interview.
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Behavioral Interview questions vs other Job Interview questions
You might wonder how behavioral interview questions differ form other types of job interview questions. Simply, one type (the latter) is more informational. the former, the behavioral question is more open ended. Here's an example."Did your last manager frustrate you?" This is not behavioral because you can answer yes/no
"Tell me about a time when your manager made a decison that frustrated you. What happened?"This is behavioral because it asks you to provide anecdotal information. The only right answer is the one from your experience.
Sample behaviorial job interview questions
1.Give me an example of a problem you faced on the job, and tell me how you solved it.2. Have you ever had difficulty with a co-worker? How did you resolve the conflict?
3. Tell me about your most innovative project.
4.Tell me about the most frustrating presentation you made.
5. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
6. Describe a situation in which you had to compromise or work with others to compromise
7. Think of a time when you were assigned a complex project. What stepsspecifically did you take to prepare for and finish the project? Were you pleased with the outcome? What might you have done differently if given the chance?
8. Think of a time when you may not have been satisfied with your performance? What did you learn, and what might have you done differently?
9. What do you do when your schedule is suddenly interrupted? Give a specific example.
. Preparing your behavioral interview answers
Reflection and assessment
Next, reflect on your work-related experiences and accomplishments. Think especially of how you may have handled difficult situations. Which ones best illustrate the skills and attributes required by the position?
Then, think like an interviewer and create your own questions. It is very easy to answer questions about what you do well, but what about situations when problems arose or when everything didn't go well. Remember to start your own questions with
"Think of a time when..." or
"Give me an example of how you ..."
or describe a time when...
Be sure to develop some stories for your answers. Be specific. What skills did you demonstrate during these events? What actions did you take that made a difference, or helped solve an important problem?
Be sure to prepare for behavioral interview answers
Behavioral interview answers: The Star Technique
STAR stands for "Situation" "Task" "Action" "Result"
Good behaviorial interview answers require examples and anecdotes of how you demonstrated certain key skills in a specific situation. Your answers should paint a clear picture to the employer that you are ready to do the job and can take on different situations.Use the STAR technique to compose your answers.
Situation - When and where did this take place? What was your role? What problems occured in this situation that you had to face?
Task-What needed to be done? Was there a deadline? Was there a crisis?
Action- What specifically did you do in this situation? (Describe in detail).
Result-What was the result ( crisis averted? increased sales?)
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Behavioral interview questions and answers: Target Stores.
The "questions" are all stated/asked to the tune of "Describe a situation where... ?"
Examples:
"Describe a situation where you had trouble with a co-worker."
"Describe a situation where you made a mistake."
"Describe a situation where you had to defend your position."
To prepare a series of such answers, preferably simple, quick with positive outcomes. And don't forget STAR
ST: Situation or Task -- What lead up to the situation?
A: Action -- What did you do?
R: Result -- What effect did your actions have?
One benefit of preparing a bunch of these is that they can be cross applied. A "confrontation situation" story could double for "convincing others."
AT&T Behavioral Interview questions
*Tell me about a time you had to access multiple screens of information on a computer, while talking to a customer.
*Tell me about a time when a customer said NO to a product you offered and how you turned the no into a yes.
*Tell me about a time when a customer did not understand what you were trying to say to them and what you did to make them understand.
*Do you think luck has anything to do with sales?
Sample behavioral Interview questions and answers -West Jet
West Jet is a Canadian Airline company and known to be a good company to work for. Here are some of the behavioral questions the company asks in its interviews. The key, of course is to tell stories (even you weren't in the same industry) that best demonstrate your suitability for the position.
Tell us a time when you contributed to the well-being of the team?
Answer: When I worked for ABC corporation, there was a time when morale was low. I introduced an incentive for creative ideas that helped all our efforts. People participated, contributed many good ideas and started looking forward to coming into work again.
Tell us about a time you had to deliver a specific set instructions that had to be followed?
When I was working at XYZ corporation, we had a new safety procedures that had to be followed to ensure there were no more accidents in the lab. I created a technical guide for everyone, and presented small workshops. There were no more accidents.
Tell us about a time you saw an unsafe procedure and what did you do about it?
When I was working for ABC industries, I noticed that we had no process in place in case there was a dangerous spill in the lab. I develop an SOP on this which better prepared staff.
Tell us about a time you went on a fact-finding mission to get the job done?
When I worked for EFG , we knew that our sister company in Calgary had been using some innovative strategies to get more business. I was sent to Calgary, observed some of their processes, interviewed key people, then wrote a report with recommendations to our manager here in Toronto. My recommendations were adopted.
What was the most UNFUN place you worked for? Why? Be honest. Everyone has had bad experiences. Describe the situation, and then say why it was "UNFUN" and would could have made it better. Try to couch your answer in a positive way.
" When I worked at Basic Academy, the managers were somewhat hands off and didn't give us a lot of direction or positive feedback. There wasn't a lot of team spirit. I appreciate when there is communication from managers so we can all be clear on the best strategies. I did try to schedule appointments with my manager to have friendly discussions, and had to be proactive with my colleagues so we could better work together rather than just sitting alone in our cubicles. We met once a week to discuss the course assignments.
What was the most FUN place you worked for? Why? The most fun place I worked for was the BCB company. There were many great and talented people there who wouldn't hesitate to help each other out. We socialized a lot after which helped but on the job we were collaborators! That was fun!
Name a time you spent a significant amount of time helping another crew member? When I worked for AIR GGH, one of my crew members wasn't familiar with some of the new procedures. I spent a lot of time with her after hours giving her additional information and bringing her up to speed because the managers were over loaded then.
More tough interview questions
Q: What do you consider to be a cut-throat environment? How would you act to keep your job in this type of situation?
Even more tough behavioral interview questions
I don't think you can ever prepare enough. I don't think you can predict what the interviewer will ask you. But the more you practice with sample questions, the better you'll. Be. I recently worked with a client. What we did was write out the answer to some questions then practice and modify the answers. Why not try these questions:In today's work environment, things are constantly changing. How do you adapt to change. Tell us what your strategies and how you manage priorities when when things change and give an example
What I hate about this question is that it forces you to think on your feet. You may automatically think of a time where you fell flat on your face. But I think the key to managing change is to not resist it, to accept that it's happening. Next, since nothing exists in isolation, perhaps getting input form the higher ups is a good idea ask them, "what are the major priorities now", and be sure they are clear about it. Understand that change can be disruptive, you may be attached to doing certain things more than others, so placing those things on the back burner and scheduling a time to get back to them is a good idea.
Again, your STAR format will help you. When I was working at ABC company, we had the chance to land a big client from XYZ. It meant, having to shift gears set up meetings, collaborating, even staying late at times. I made sure that I had clarity from management where the priorities were. I also created a system to get them done, that ensured every one pulled together and we completed all the tasks in a timely manner.
Tell us about a time when you made a suggestion to improve some aspect of your work. Was it adopted? What steps did you take?
When I worked for ABC non profit, we were testing out a program that would help job seekers. The program was to eventually be funded, but meanwhile, we had to do it on limited resources.
I wrote a report, and outlined what we had done so far, what was working and what wasn't, and then made recommendations about how things could work better. One of my suggestions, that we used volunteers and placement students was adopted. Everyone was happy. The placement students got experience, we had a chance to get the kinks out the program, we eventually got the funding and then we hired some staff to help us. Again, note the use of STAR and concrete details.
More Interview and job search resources
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Reader Feedback
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LewesDE
Feb 18, 2012 @ 2:16 pm | delete
- This is a well put together lens!
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EventPlanner89
Sep 15, 2011 @ 7:06 pm | delete
- The STAR technique is good for any job interview, especially one in the event planning industry.
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