How to Answer Behavior Interview Questions
Employers use behavior interviews to learn more about job candidates' experiences in particular situations. These questions focus on specific types of situations and ask the candidate to share a time they dealt with that situation. Behavior interviews rely on the premise that past actions determine future actions of the job candidate. Employers expect stronger answers from candidates. Job candidates should spend additional time preparing for the interview to answer behavior interview questions.
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Instructions
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Listen carefully to the question. Ask questions if you need clarification regarding the question. The interviewer wants to see a particular skill or ability demonstrated through this question. Think about what skill or ability the employer wants to see.
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Find a specific situation to discuss with the interviewer. Consider two or three scenarios from previous positions that demonstrate your skill in the area the interviewer is asking about. Determine which situation you played a direct role in resolving and which ended with the best result.
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Explain the situation to the interviewer. Be specific when you discuss the situation, but omit confidential company information and people's names. The interviewer needs to understand the situation. The interviewer also wants to see that you respect your previous employers and coworkers by not sharing private information.
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Identify the steps you took to address the situation. Explain exactly what steps you took to resolve the situation. This includes communicating with others, analyzing information or leading a team.
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Describe the result of your actions. Every situation resolves either positively or negatively for the company and the employees involved. Share the outcome of this situation. State clearly how your actions led to the resolution.
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Tell the interviewer any lessons you learned from the situation and the way you handled it. Most interviewers do not expect perfect results every time. Showing the interviewer that you learn from your experiences demonstrates your continued ability to grow.
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Tips & Warnings
Take time to consider your answers. Answering too quickly can result in choosing poor responses to the question being asked.
Prepare ahead of time by reviewing your resume and identifying possible work situations to share. Many work experiences apply to a variety of questions and make a good response.
References
Resources
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