Alison, I love these tips! One of the biggest challenges is writing down your examples.
If you need some inspiration on what makes a perfect answer to a behavioral interview question, you might want to check out these top 20 best behavioral interview answers here:
That's really some good points you have shared. I have faced these questions and I know with situation it is tough to answer them but you have clear my thoughts.
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kamranayyubof CA6:26AM March 25, 2013
Great article, as one who is trying to find a job all I can say is that behavioral questions have become the norm. Prior to each interview, what I do is treat them as I am taking an exam. You can't go in cold. You have to think about the situations that you went through, how you handled them and what the outcome was. If you don't you will be woefully underprepared. I have a science background and my friend who is also a scientist wrote an article on this I would like to share.
This was a great article. Solid advice, delivered in a concise way. Thank you.
Ali Shamsof PA11:34AM December 11, 2012
I have a great job but a really long commute and I can't move. So over the past two years, I got three interviews thinking in each case that nobody could be more qualified as I am extremely experienced and one of a kind in my field. But three times, I was not hired. I couldn't believe it. But in each case they were asking me this crazy "tell me a situation where..." questions and I was not prepared for those. I had not even heard of them. But now I have another interview coming and an insider from the company told me to study for behavioral interview questions. What the heck are those? I had him spell it out for me because I had never heard such a thing. Now I know. If I had known, I would have been hired on my first one. If you know, this is coming, they are actually not so bad.
byronof WA10:56AM November 22, 2012
Brenda, I have to say that I'm definitely finding some situational questions strange too! I'm actually just starting out in my career/job search (new grad). What do you do when there's a question like the one you mentioned below (that you said you didn't ever experience/wouldn't)? In my experience, employers would like to hear what you'd likely do in that situation (if you've never experienced it). Is that how you approached it? How did the employer react?
Great tips! From personal experience, I know behavioural questions are pretty tough and can get stressful if you're not prepared. I am going to check out the rest of your posts too!
i Agree w/ heather. companies are going overboard with asking these dumb questions. why can't they make it old school (sometimes its a good thing). Back when EXPERIENCE mattered and they ask questions about us. How our skills match to the job description. what we have to bring to the table. i seriously hate these questions. and there was a time where i straight up had to say i've never been through that situation AND in reality neither would have i if i had gotten the job! it's ridiculous. the worst behavioral interview i've been to it's for chase at their call center in arlington tx. i swear they asked about 30! not kidding. it was almost an 90min interview.
Brendaof TX4:15AM August 05, 2012
For example, I was asked to give them a "time" when I solved a problem that created a problem. Well guess what? That has never happened, so they just want you to make up things? Sad state of affairs with questions that if you have not experienced they omit you within less than 24 hours. It makes no sense. Especially when you give specific examples on everything they ask.
Heatherof TX3:11PM June 07, 2012
I think companies are going way overboard on behavioral questions, and they are acting like they are born psychologists or psychiatrists when they are not. They need to leave that type of analyzing to the professionals. All they end up doing is losing great employees!
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Impact Interview of WA 4:35PM March 31, 2013
kamranayyub of CA 6:26AM March 25, 2013
Josh Holden of FL 4:43PM January 20, 2013
Ali Shams of PA 11:34AM December 11, 2012
byron of WA 10:56AM November 22, 2012
Meg 2:21AM November 20, 2012
WorkINprogress 2:18AM November 20, 2012
Brenda of TX 4:15AM August 05, 2012
Heather of TX 3:11PM June 07, 2012
Heather of TX 3:08PM June 07, 2012