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Articles
Behavioral Interviewing
Feb 11, 2010
By: Alison Sfreddo
While organizations continue to improve personnel productivity and bottom lines, they have come to the realization that those employees who are most satisfied with their jobs and can provide winning results are almost always, best suited for the positions that they are in. Finding that ideal fit is no easy task and as a result, employers are revising their interview strategies and questioning in effort to zoom in and find that perfect match.
One of the biggest industry trends today (although not new) is the behavioral interview. In an increasingly competitive workplace with a renewed emphasis on employee satisfaction and increased productivity, employers are no longer just asking about experience and credentials. They are instead turning to insightful questioning as to how a candidate accomplished goals and why they did what they did to solve a problem.
In addition, the behavioral interview also measures how an individual responds to and works with others. Especially in situations where a team approach is necessary to execute projects and complete deliverables, the interviewer will be directing their attention on the degree to which your personality and work style will fit with the current staff.
Whatever your work style or personality, there is the perfect position for you and the following are some things to keep in mind when considering a new position and engaging in a behavioral based interview.
All behavioral styles have their place. As it is completely acceptable to be extroverted and personable, a position as head librarian may not be the position for you. On the other hand, if you are quite reserved, a job as an event planner may not be the best fit behaviorally. It is always important to assess behavioral strengths and weaknesses when selecting a career choice as they will ultimately have a direct effect on your satisfaction with the position.
It’s all about style. Let’s face it, a measured and methodical work style would probably not cut it on the floor of New York Stock Exchange anymore than a swift or impetuous one would make it in a research lab. Remember, employers are looking at how you answer questions in terms of problem solving, interpersonal communication style, and team player skills when sizing up your suitability for the job.
Always play the positive. No matter how dissatisfied you are with your current position or manager, those feelings should never be voiced during any interview. The first thing that a prospective employer will come away with is a negative and complaining note to the interview. Problems should be transformed into challenges and positive solutions are always what the interviewer will want to hear.
As you prepare for your behavioral interview, enlist the help of a mentor or colleague to help you to review some of those questions that may be asked and provide constructive feedback to your responses. Below is a list of sample questions:
Describe your most successful project?
o Share how you showed initiative and took the lead on this project.
o Describe how you delegated assignments and activities.
o Share specific examples of how you approached methods or ideas that you did not agree with?
Have you ever had to interact with a difficult person?
o Tell me about how you diffused conflict when a difficult customer or peer became challenging.
o Describe how you were able to successfully deal with another person even when you did not respect or trust them professionally.
o Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
Describe a time or task when you went beyond what was initially asked of you.
o Share what inspired you to go above and beyond?
o What was the final result?
Share your time management strategy and approaches.
o Describe a time when you had too many tasks due at the same time and were required to rethink your priorities.
o Tell me about a time when you missed a deadline.
Where do you want to be 3-5 years from today?
o Describe your strategy for achieving it?
Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
o How did you achieve it?
Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.
o Give a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
Tell me about a difficult decision you've made in the last year.
o How did you arrive at that decision?
This article was published in The Training Connection, Inc.'s December 2009 Newsletter.
© 2009, The Training Connection, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
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