Sample Behavioral Interview Questions

Behavioral based interviewing is a style of interviewingGive a situation where you have had to overcome a
developed in the 1970’s.  It is a technique used byproblem so that you can move forward with
employers to ask candidates and evaluate theirsomething. What did you do?
experiences and behaviors. It helps them to determineFlexibility:
their potential for success and the candidate’sGive a specific example of a situation when you
suitability for the position. Currently, 30 percent of allconformed to a policy with which you did not agree.
organizations are using behavioral interviewing to someTell a time when you put your needs aside to help a
degree.co-worker understand a task. What was the result?
Through behavioral interview questions and answers,Goal Setting:
the employers will try to determine lots of things aboutTell a time when you set a goal and were able to
the candidate for the job particularly his pastachieve it. What do you consider your greatest
behavior.  This is accomplished by asking toughachievement so far and why? Tell about a goal that
interview questions that pertain to the candidate’syou did not reach. How did you feel about it?
past behavior by relating a specific experience basedInitiative:
on the criteria set by the interviewer.  However, itGive a situation where you used your initiative to solve
goes beyond just looking at the candidate's educationala problem. What did you do?
and work history to determine the right fit, asking theWhat was the best idea you thought of during your
candidate for specific examples of past behavior asprofessional or college career? How did you apply it?
they relate to the job requirements.Cite a certain situation where you showed initiative.
Since behavioral interview focuses on experiences,Integrity/Honesty:
behaviors, knowledge, skills and abilities that are relatedTell about a situation when you were forced to make
to the job description of the applicant, the questionsa decision. Tell about a time you had to fire a friend.
are categorized for easy facilitation and administration.Relate the most difficult customer service experience
Here is a sample behavioral interview questions:that you have ever had to handle.
Adaptability:Leadership:
Cite one example of a time when you adjusted to aGive an example of a situation when you motivated
classmate’s or colleague’s working style toothers. Cite a situation when you delegated a project
accomplish a project.effectively.
Analytical Skills/Problem SolvingInterpersonal Skills:
One of the interview questions to ask future employeeGive an example of a time when you used your
is in relation to citing a situation where you solved afact-finding skills to solve a problem. Cite an example
difficult problem. What did you do at that situation andof a time when you used good judgment and logic in
what was the outcome?solving a problem.
Communication:Planning and Organization/Time Management:
How do you deal with conflict? Give an example. GiveHow do you prioritize things in scheduling your time?
an example of a situation when you were able toGive examples. How do you prioritize projects and
successfully communicate with another person even iftasks when scheduling your time? Give examples.
that individual did not personally like you (or vice versa).Teamwork:
How did you handle the situation?Tell about a situation you were able to successfully
Creativity:deal with another person even when that individual did
Cite a situation when you had to use your presentationpersonally like you (or vice versa).
skills to influence someone's opinion.At present, more employers are using behavioral and
Tell about a problem that solved in a unique or unusualcompetency based interview questions in the hiring
way. What was the outcome?process with the idea that the best way to predict
Decision Making:future performance is to examine the past and
Narrate about a difficult decision you made last year.present performance in a similar situation.