Behavioral interview questions are questions that ask job candidates to share examples of specific situations theyve been in. These questions are non-technical and focused on the candidate, and they are designed to gauge how the candidate reacts to stress and how they approach real-world dilemmas. Behavioral interview questions are different from traditional interview questions because they ask for specific examples of past behavior, rather than hypothetical situations.
Employers ask behavioral interview questions to understand who the candidate is, how they think, and how they approach different scenarios. These questions are meant to assess a candidates soft skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and leadership. Behavioral interview questions usually start with phrases like "Tell me about a time when..." or "Describe a situation where you had to...".
Examples of behavioral interview questions include:
- "Tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure"
- "Describe a situation where you had to solve a problem that wasnt part of your job description"
- "Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a team member"
- "Describe a time when you had to handle a difficult customer"
To answer behavioral interview questions, candidates can use the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This method involves describing the situation, explaining the task or problem, detailing the action taken to address the situation, and discussing the result or outcome. By using the STAR method, candidates can provide specific and detailed examples of their past behavior, which can help employers assess their fit for the job.