Behavioral vs. Traditional Interviews

Traditional and behavioral interviews differ in several ways. If you have training or experience with traditional interviewing techniques, you may find the behavioral interview quite different in several ways:

  • Instead of asking how you would behave in a particular situation, the interviewer will ask you to describe how you did behave in a real-life situation and will not allow you to theorize or generalize about several events.
  • Expect the interviewer to question and probe with questions like, "How did you feel?”, "What was your role?", and "What was the result?".
  • The interviewer will ask you to provide details. Be specific. Give a detailed accounting of one event.
  • The interview will be a more structured process that will concentrate on areas that are important to the interviewer, rather than allowing you to concentrate on areas that you may feel are important.
  • You may not get a chance to deliver any prepared stories.
  • Most interviewers will be taking copious notes throughout the interview.

The behavioral interviewer has been trained to objectively collect and evaluate information and works from a profile of desired behaviors that are needed for success on the job. Because the behaviors a candidate has demonstrated in previously similar positions are likely to be repeated, you will be asked to share situations in which you may or may not have exhibited these behaviors. Your answers will be tested for accuracy and consistency.

Preparing for a Behavioral Interview

Instead of feeling anxious or threatened by the prospect of a behavioral interview, just keep in mind how the traditional interview and the behavioral interview differ: The traditional interviewer may allow you to theorize about hypothetical situations, but the behavioral interviewer is looking at past actions only. Regardless, it will be important to put your best foot forward and make a good impression on the interviewer with appropriate attire, good grooming, a firm handshake, and direct eye contact. There is no substitute for promptness, courtesy, preparation, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.

  • Recall recent situations that show favorable behaviors or actions, especially involving course work, work experience, leadership, teamwork, initiative, planning, and customer service.
  • Prepare short descriptions of each situation; be ready to give details if asked.
  • Be sure each story you tell has a beginning, middle, and end.
  • Be sure the outcome or result reflects positively on you (even if the result itself was not favorable).
  • Be honest. The interviewer will find out if your story is built on a weak foundation.

 

SAMPLE BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS

  1. Give a specific example of when you had to gain the cooperation of others and what challenges you faced. What was the outcome? What was the long-term impact on your ability to work with this group?

 

  1. Tell me about a course, work experience, or extracurricular activity where you had to work closely with others. How did it go? How did you overcome any difficulties?

 

  1. Give me a specific example of a time when you had to address an angry customer. What was the problem, and what was the outcome? How would you assess your role in defusing the situation?

 

  1. Tell me about a suggestion you made to improve job processes/operations. What was the result?

 

  1. Describe the most significant or creative presentation/idea that you developed/implemented.

 

  1. Tell me about a time when you took a risk in creating a new process or program? What was the situation and what did you do?

 

  1. By providing examples, demonstrate that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations, and/or environments.

 

  1. Tell me about a decision you made while under a lot of pressure.

 

  1. Talk about a time when there was a decision to be made and procedures were not in place? What was the outcome?

 

  1. What are 3 effective leadership qualities you think are important? How have you demonstrated these qualities in your past/current position?

 

  1. Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to approach things your way. What level was the person you had to persuade?

 

  1. What have you done in your present/previous job that goes beyond what was required?

 

  1. Tell me about a time when you had to resolve a difference of opinion with a coworker/customer/supervisor. How do you feel you showed respect?

 

  1. Describe the way you handled a specific problem involving others with differing values, ideas, and beliefs in your current/previous job.

 

  1. Describe a work situation that required you to really listen and display compassion to a coworker/employee who was telling you about a personal/sensitive situation.

 

  1. Can you recall a time when you gave feedback to a coworker who was unaccepting of others?

 

  1. Can you recall a time when a person's cultural background affected your approach to a work situation?

 

  1. Tell me about a specific time when you had to handle a tough problem which challenged fairness or ethical issues.

 

  1. Tell me about a tough decision you made. What steps, thought processes, and considerations did you take to make an objective decision?

 

  1. If you can, tell me about a time when your trustworthiness was challenged. How did you react/respond?