Behavioral Interview Questions: Summary and Expansion

What Are Behavioral Interview Questions?

Behavioral interview questions are designed to understand how candidates have acted in specific situations. These questions assess reactions to stress, skill levels, and professional conduct. They provide insights into a candidate's character beyond standard interview queries.

45 Common Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral interview questions can be categorized into various domains:

Time Management

• How do you handle tasks with tight deadlines?
• Describe managing a long-term project and ensuring smooth progress.
• What do you do when responsibilities become overwhelming?
• Tell me about setting and meeting personal goals.
• Describe a situation where you had too much work in too little time.

Communication Skills

• How do you resolve disagreements with coworkers?
• What would you do if you misunderstood an important task?
• How do you handle criticism?
• Tell me about a time you disagreed with a performance assessment.
• Have you ever worked with a poorly communicating supervisor?

Teamwork

• Describe helping a team member succeed.
• Tell me about working with someone completely different from you.
• How have you handled interpersonal conflicts at work?
• What do you do when a team member doesn't complete their work?
• Have you ever mentored or been mentored?

Working with Clients and Customers

• Describe a situation where you had to correct a client.
• Tell me about dealing with a frustrating customer.
• Is there a situation where you wish you had handled things differently with a client?

Adaptability

• Tell me about your first job in the industry and how you learned.
• Have you ever had to work long hours to finish a task?
• Give an example of adapting to a sudden workplace change.
• Tell me about a time you were extremely stressed at work and how you managed it.

Leadership

• Have you ever led a project?
• Tell me about successfully delegating tasks.
• Describe a project or achievement you're proud of.
• Tell me about a time you worked on something with no previous experience.

Problem-Solving

• Describe a time you didn't know how to solve a problem.
• Tell me about solving a problem not part of your job description.
• How would you solve a specific problem in your line of work?

Success and Failure

• Tell me about going above and beyond at work.
• Give an example of a goal you failed to meet and how you handled it.
• Describe a time you realized you were wrong about something.

How to Answer Any Behavioral Interview Question

The STAR method is the easiest way to answer behavioral interview questions:

• Situation: Describe the context of the scenario.
• Task: Define the task at hand.
• Action: Explain the actions taken to address the task.
• Results: Discuss the outcomes of your actions.

Sample Answers for Different Professions and Experience Levels

• Question #1: How do you accomplish tasks under a tight deadline?

  • Situation: Experiencing an unexpected project takeover due to a coworker's emergency.
  • Task: Managing the new project within a one-week deadline.
  • Action: Reducing daily sales goals and dedicating time to understand the project.
  • Results: Successfully finishing the project two days early and receiving a promotion.

• Question #2: Describe a long-term project you managed.

  • Situation: Managing a web development team for a detailed website with a 15-week deadline.
  • Task: Ensuring efficient use of time to meet the deadline.
  • Action: Planning the project by splitting the workload into stages.
  • Results: Finishing the website under three months with client satisfaction and referrals.

• Question #3: Sometimes, it's almost impossible to get everything done on your to-do list.

  • Situation: Balancing thesis submission with student council responsibilities.
  • Task: Prioritizing thesis over event management.
  • Action: Delegating event responsibilities to the vice president.
  • Results: Successfully completing both tasks and learning valuable time management lessons.

FAQs on Behavioral Interview Questions

Q: How can I prepare for behavioral interview questions? A: Reflect on your experiences and achievements, focusing on those that align with the job description.

Q: How can I say 'I don’t know' during an interview? A: Be honest and express your willingness to learn. Relate the question to similar experiences if applicable.

Q: How can I ace my interview? A: Prepare by researching the company, practicing answers, dressing appropriately, and following up with a thank-you email.

Key Takeaways

• Behavioral interview questions focus on situational behavior.
• Use the STAR Method to structure your answers.
• Examples from student life can be relevant if lacking work experience.

By understanding these aspects, you are well-prepared to tackle behavioral interview questions effectively.