Answering Behavioral Interview Questions
6 September 2013
Read by 2441 persons
"Give me an example of a situation where you..." In the past, interviews often involved questions about future actions. For example, the interviewer might ask something like: "If you were in a situation that required you to make a quick, good decision, how would you react?"
Today, interviewers focus more on your past behaviors than on hypothetical future situations. They might ask you something like this: "Tell me about a situation where you had to make a good decision quickly. How did you react and what were the results?"
The past is often a predictor of future behavior
This type of question assumes that how you acted in the past is a good indication of what you will do in the future. Whether this assumption is true or not, you should prepare for behavioral interview questions.
The best way to answer these types of questions is to tell a short story related to the question you've just been asked. The story should not exceed one or two minutes. It can have three distinct parts: a description of the situation, a summary of the actions taken, and an outline of the results obtained.
Become a storyteller
Here is a more detailed description of the three parts of an answer to a behavioral question.
1) The SITUATION: What was the context? What was the nature of the problem or opportunity?
2) The ACTIONS taken: Describe what you did, alone or as a team, to solve the problem or take advantage of the opportunity.
3) The RESULTS: Describe the outcome of your efforts. Try to quantify the results as much as possible.
Where to start? By choosing one of the elements appearing in your resume and transforming it into a SITUATION-ACTIONS-RESULTS story. Here is an example of an interview with a potential representative at a toy manufacturer, in which the following element from the applicant's resume was chosen:
• Designed a new in-store promotion based on feedback from store owners. Sales exceeded initial forecasts by 20%.
Here's what the interview might look like.
Interviewer: How did you ensure you met your sales quotas while collaborating on the launch of a new product?
Job Seeker: First the situation: "Well, at Playtime Inc., we launched a new doll inspired by a character from the Addams Family movie. After three months, sales were well below our forecasts."
(Actions)
Then the actions: "So I went to meet the buyers of three of our main clients to try to understand the problem. Based on their feedback and that of the store owners, I revised the point-of-sale material with our Marketing Department and we organized a contest."
And finally the results: "Subsequently, sales soared within three months and exceeded our forecasts by 20%. My boss was so happy that she slipped a letter of congratulations into my file. Here's a copy for you."
Your story should be concise and impactful
You see? All it takes is a short story about a relevant achievement. Separate it into three parts: the situation, the actions, and the results. Tell your story with confidence and enthusiasm.
And when you're finished answering a behavioral question, STOP TALKING. Let the interviewer ask you other questions if they wish. Otherwise, congratulate yourself on having answered effectively and move on to the next question.
By the Monster Career Advisor.
Monster.ca
Today, interviewers focus more on your past behaviors than on hypothetical future situations. They might ask you something like this: "Tell me about a situation where you had to make a good decision quickly. How did you react and what were the results?"
The past is often a predictor of future behavior
This type of question assumes that how you acted in the past is a good indication of what you will do in the future. Whether this assumption is true or not, you should prepare for behavioral interview questions.
The best way to answer these types of questions is to tell a short story related to the question you've just been asked. The story should not exceed one or two minutes. It can have three distinct parts: a description of the situation, a summary of the actions taken, and an outline of the results obtained.
Become a storyteller
Here is a more detailed description of the three parts of an answer to a behavioral question.
1) The SITUATION: What was the context? What was the nature of the problem or opportunity?
2) The ACTIONS taken: Describe what you did, alone or as a team, to solve the problem or take advantage of the opportunity.
3) The RESULTS: Describe the outcome of your efforts. Try to quantify the results as much as possible.
Where to start? By choosing one of the elements appearing in your resume and transforming it into a SITUATION-ACTIONS-RESULTS story. Here is an example of an interview with a potential representative at a toy manufacturer, in which the following element from the applicant's resume was chosen:
• Designed a new in-store promotion based on feedback from store owners. Sales exceeded initial forecasts by 20%.
Here's what the interview might look like.
Interviewer: How did you ensure you met your sales quotas while collaborating on the launch of a new product?
Job Seeker: First the situation: "Well, at Playtime Inc., we launched a new doll inspired by a character from the Addams Family movie. After three months, sales were well below our forecasts."
(Actions)
Then the actions: "So I went to meet the buyers of three of our main clients to try to understand the problem. Based on their feedback and that of the store owners, I revised the point-of-sale material with our Marketing Department and we organized a contest."
And finally the results: "Subsequently, sales soared within three months and exceeded our forecasts by 20%. My boss was so happy that she slipped a letter of congratulations into my file. Here's a copy for you."
Your story should be concise and impactful
You see? All it takes is a short story about a relevant achievement. Separate it into three parts: the situation, the actions, and the results. Tell your story with confidence and enthusiasm.
And when you're finished answering a behavioral question, STOP TALKING. Let the interviewer ask you other questions if they wish. Otherwise, congratulate yourself on having answered effectively and move on to the next question.
By the Monster Career Advisor.
Monster.ca
