Behavior-based Interviewing
This approach to interviewing focuses on examples of how the candidate has applied his or her skills. Behavior-based interviewing is built on the premise that past behavior predicts future success. To succeed in a behavior-based interview, you must have analyzed your experiences and know how to relate them to the current position the company is seeking to fill. Utilizing the STAR technique will help you construct an organized, specific, thoughtful, and concise answer.
Preparation is the Key for a Behavior-based Interview
Analyze the position you are being interviewed for; determine the skills required.
Evaluate and reflect on your background to identify skills and experiences related to the position.
Develop brief scenarios or "STAR stories" prior to your interview that demonstrate qualities relevant to the position; each "story" should explain the situation, task, action, and result. Be specific in your stories; Employers want to know what you did rather than what you would do in a given situation.
STAR Stories
STAR is an acronym for a formula which can help you structure your responses. The letters stand for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Most questions center on your past or current attitudes, and your work, academic, or service experiences. When talking about these subjects, choose specific examples to illustrate your answer. Describe the Situation you were in, the Task you were asked to accomplish, the Action you took and why, and the Results of your actions. This will help the interviewer follow your "story" and see your accomplishments
Here's an example of a response that uses this method to address an employer's questions about a student's lackluster GPA:
Situation
I entered my sophomore year with a low GPA. I had always done well in school, but I didn't handle the transition to college well.
Task
I knew that if I wanted to succeed, I had to develop better study habits and manage my time better.
Action
I created a calendar and marked the due dates for all of my assignments and tests. Then I set aside certain hours each day for studying, allowing more for peak times like mid-terms or finals. I made up my mind not to change the plan until after the first semester grades so I could give it a chance to work.
Result
My grades improved immediately; I used this system for the whole year and earned a 3.2 while still having time for other activities. My GPA has been strong ever since.
As you can see from the above example, the STAR method can help you answer tough questions clearly and concisely. Practice using this method as you prepare for your interview so you can shine when it really matters!
As you prep for your interview, consider situations where you:
- Demonstrated leadership
- Solved a problem
- Increased company profits
- Made a good decision/made a poor decision
- Handled change(not money, but changing events)
- Handled criticism
- Met a deadline/missed a deadline
- Worked as part of a team
Sample Behavior-based Interview Questions
Problem Solving
Give me an example of a problem you solved and the process you used.
Decision Making
What was the most difficult decision you have made in the last six months? What was the situation? What made it difficult? What factors or variables did you consider?
Initiative
Describe your best example of taking the initiative to do something that needed to be done, even though it wasn't really your responsibility.
Achievement /Drive
Describe a situation in which you believe you were effective in achieving an aggressive goal.
Handling Details
Tell me about the most significant project you have worked on in which it was crucial to keep track of details while still managing the "big picture."
Oral Communication
Describe a time when you had great difficulty communicating your thoughts clearly to another person or group. How did you handle this?
Planning
What is your approach to planning when given a goal to achieve? Please provide an example of how you have used this approach
Handling Ambiguity
Describe a situation in which you operated in an environment with little or no structure or direction. How did you respond?
Interpersonal Skills
Describe a situation in which effective interpersonal skills (the ability to recognize and act on the feeling, needs, and motives of others) contributed to your success.
Conflict Management
Tell me about a time when you voiced a concern or disagreement to a co-worker, supervisor, or professor.
Coordinating/Leading Others
Tell me about a situation in which you had to coordinate several people to achieve a goal.
Managing Stress
Describe your most disappointing experience. How did you cope with it? What did you do to move beyond it?
Technical Expertise
Tell me about a time when you were effective in putting your technical expertise to use to solve a problem
More Behavioral Interview Questions
- Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
- Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation.
- What was the most complex assignment you have had? What was your role?
- Provide an example of how you acquired a technical skill and converted it into a practical application.
- Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa
- Describe a creative/innovative idea that you produced which led to a significant contribution to the success of an activity or project.
- Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
- Describe a situation that required a number of things to be done at the same time. How did you handle it? What was the result?
- Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.
- Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle that person?