Behavioral interview questions are designed to understand how candidates have handled situations in the past. These questions are often included to assess fit for a particular role, especially in secondary interviews.
When you think of all of your past experiences, it may feel challenging to organize them clearly. To feel prepared and confident, you can structure your answers so you won't be caught off guard, no matter what questions interviewers ask. In this post, we're breaking down behavioral interview questions in four simple steps so you'll know what to listen for and respond in a way that will highlight your strengths.
The importance of behavioral interview questions
Behavioral interview questions are a popular interview technique to assess candidates based on their past behaviors in specific work situations. These questions focus on how candidates have handled real-life challenges, providing insight into their skills, personality, and suitability for a role.
Unlike situational interview questions, which ask candidates to hypothesize how they would handle a future scenario, behavioral questions require candidates to describe actual past experiences. This is an essential distinction because it shifts the focus from speculation to concrete examples.
Recruiters rely on behavioral interview questions because they believe that past behavior is one of the best predictors of future performance. While technical skill may get you an interview, it's often the soft skills revealed through behavioral interviews that determine whether you will thrive and fit within the team.
How to approach a behavioral interview
Preparation and structure are the two themes to follow when it comes to formulating responses to behavioral interview questions.
1. Recognize common questions
While it's impossible to know every potential question in advance, you can research common behavioral interview questions to get a better idea of what to expect. They often begin with phrases that prompt you to share past experiences, such as:
- Give me an example of…
- Describe a situation where…
- Tell me about a time when…
- How did you handle…
Many behavioral questions revolve around challenges or conflicts. Here are some examples to get an idea of what they look like:
- Tell me about a time you had to work under pressure. What did you do?
- Describe a situation where you had a disagreement with a co-worker.
- What goal have you set in the past, and how did you achieve it?
- Tell me how you provided a solution to a challenge at work.
- Describe your leadership style and explain a situation where you successfully led a group.
- Explain a time when you've gone above and beyond.
If you encounter a behavioral interview question about a situation you've never experienced at work, you can try one of these strategies:
- Turn it into a situational interview question response by explaining how you would handle it.
- Discuss instances where you demonstrated the relevant skills or qualities in different contexts outside of work.
- Acknowledge that you haven't faced such a situation but are willing to learn from your colleagues and adapt.
- Ask the interviewer for more context or examples to help you understand the intent behind the question.
2. Implement the STAR method
One way to organize your thoughts and provide clear answers is by using the STAR method for interviews. Here's how to implement the Situation, Task, Action, and Result (STAR) method step-by-step:
- Situation: Describe the context or challenge you faced. Provide enough detail to set the stage for your story and ensure it's relevant to the position you're applying for.
- Task: Explain your specific role or responsibility in that situation. This clarifies what was expected of you and what you needed to achieve.
- Action: Detail the steps you took to address the challenge or fulfill your responsibilities. This part should highlight the skills and strategies you employed.
- Result: Share the outcome of your actions, including any successes or lessons learned. Use concrete data or examples to illustrate the impact of your efforts.
See the STAR method in this response as an example:
- Situation: “In my last position as a marketing coordinator at a tech startup, we were approaching the launch of a new product. Our marketing team was under pressure due to a tight deadline and a backlog of promotional materials that needed to be created.”
- Task: “My task was to lead the content creation for the product launch, which included writing press releases, creating social media posts, and coordinating with the design team to ensure all materials were ready by the launch date.”
- Action: “To manage the workload, I organized a series of brainstorming sessions with the team to outline our content strategy. I created a timeline with specific deadlines for each piece of content and assigned tasks based on each team member's strengths. I also set up daily check-ins to monitor progress and address any roadblocks immediately.”
- Result: “As a result of our collaborative efforts and clear communication, we successfully launched the product on time. The marketing campaign generated a 30% increase in engagement on social media and exceeded our initial sales projections by 15% in the first month. This experience taught me the value of teamwork and proactive planning in high-pressure situations.”
3. Prepare
Preparing for behavioral interviews requires thoughtful reflection and strategic planning. These steps will help you prepare:
- Reflect on past experiences: Think about your various roles, including jobs, internships, and volunteer work. Consider different situations where you faced challenges, achieved successes, worked in teams, or demonstrated leadership. This will help you identify your strengths and build a rich bank of experiences to draw from during an interview.
- Research the company: Investigate the organization's website, social media, and review sites to understand its culture, values, and recent developments. Identify how your values align with those of the company and be ready to incorporate this understanding into your responses.
- Prepare your stories: Aim to have at least three stories prepared—one about a challenge you overcame, one about a setback and what you learned, and one about an accomplishment. This will give you a range of experiences to draw from during the interview.
- Show authenticity: Be genuine in your responses. Interviewers appreciate honesty and self-reflection, so share real experiences, including those that didn't end as planned, as long as you link them with lessons learned.
4. Practice
Practicing behavioral interview questions and answers can help you learn how to deliver them effectively. Use these strategies to help you practice:
- Rehearse your responses: The more familiar you are with your responses, the calmer you'll feel during the actual interview. Aim to maintain a conversational tone to avoid sounding overly rehearsed. Focus on the key details that support your narrative rather than memorizing your answers word-for-word.
- Engage in mock interviews: Practice with a friend, family member, or mentor who can provide constructive feedback. This will help you simulate the interview environment and refine your responses. You can also consider online platforms that offer mock interview services, which often include professional feedback.
- Record yourself: Use your phone or camera to record your practice sessions. Watching or listening to your responses allows you to assess your delivery, tone, and body language.
- Focus on delivery techniques: Practice positive body language by sitting up straight, maintaining natural eye contact, and taking deep breaths to calm your nerves. Pausing thoughtfully can help gather your thoughts without rambling or overusing filler words.
Become part of the team at Intuitive
Behavioral interview questions often target soft skills that are essential in a collaborative and innovative environment. Using these behavioral interview tips will help you prepare and structure your responses to highlight relevant experiences. Practicing how to answer behavioral questions using the STAR method will help you approach applications and interviews with greater confidence and enhance your chance of success.
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Explore our available career opportunities today and apply for a role that suits your experience or career goals.
