Instead of the standard question of “Tell me about yourself,” many employers are moving toward behavioral-based questioning in interviews. For the job seeker, especially those who have not interviewed in many years, this type of question may come as a shock, so preparing ahead of time is vital.
The philosophy behind this style of interviewing is that past performance will indicate future success. Behavioral-based questions are designed to discover specific examples of the applicants past performance or how an applicant thinks about a specific situation. With this type of understanding an employer can match the applicant’s experiences to the needs of the company.
For the job seeker, answering behavioral-based questions can be a daunting task, so it is important to prepare and practice. Unlike standard interview questions, which can be answered by a memorized response, behavioral-based questions are based in past accomplishments so the applicant needs to have a solid understanding of her own skills and overall achievements.
Preparing for the Interview
While behavioral-based interviewing is gaining acceptance, many organizations still use a more traditional format, so there is little chance of the job seeker anticipating which type may be used. In reality, the style of questions asked during an interview will always depend on the needs of the interviewer.
However, a job seeker may be able to determine some of the questions to prepare for by carefully studying the job announcement. Words that may indicate a behavioral bent are generally quantifiable and could include self-directed, confident, listener, and accountable. Statements commonly found on job postings such as “excellent written and communication skills” could indicate the employer is looking for specific examples of performance.
A successful answer to a traditional question may be rather esoteric, and self-directed, allowing the applicant an opportunity to showcase what he thinks or feels. The behavioral question, on the other hand, must be scenario specific and demonstrate a particular accomplishment, or tell a story of when the applicant has dealt with this specific situation.
For example:
- A Traditional question might be: “How do you determine success?” or “Where do you see yourself in 10 year”
- While a Behavioral-based question would be: “Give me an example of a successful project you worked on. Tell me what you did right, and what you would do differently in the future.”
During the Interview
Because the applicant may not know ahead of time which style of questioning the interviewer will use, being prepared is vital but may not be enough. Listening carefully to the question is the hallmark of a successful interview. By carefully listening to the question, the applicant can determine if an open-ended traditional answer or behavioral-based response is required.
Traditional questions are often general and asked to discover information about the applicant’s history or communication skills. For example, “tell me about your freshman year of college,” is a question to check communication skills. Traditional questions also can be more random, designed specifically to see how the person thinks on his or her feet when confronted with an unusual request. Questions like, “If you could be any food, what would you be” or “How do you like our interview process?’ fit this category.
Behavioral-based questions, on the other hand, are asking for specific examples of action or accomplishment. Questions of “Give me a specific example of how you contacted a new client and then maintained the relationship” or “Tell me about a conflict you have had recently with a co-worker and how you solved it” are excellent examples of this style of questioning
Well-thought out answers are vital regardless of the style of question. However, if the question is behavioral-based, it is important to ensure the skills listed in the answer match the needs listed in the question. In her article, "Behavioral Interview, What is a Behavioral Interview and Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers," Allison Doyle suggests that each answer include the specific situation, the tasks that were needed, the action taken and the results.
To be successful in any interview, applicants should research the different types of questions that might be asked and think of specific answers or scenarios for each. Although time consuming, this exercise can not only prepare the applicant for the interview, but may also help her learn more about herself and what she brings to the table. This, in turn, can only enhance performance and confidence, and hopefully set her apart from the rest.
Kelly Sharp - Kelly Sharp holds a Master's degree in Education and a Bachelor's degree in Communication, and has been involved in training in a variety ...
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