Behavioral-based interviewing (BBI) is becoming more common since it is thought to help managers make better hiring decisions and improve retention rates. Today, many companies will ask behavioral-based questions, and more than 70 percent of Fortune 500 companies use BBI. So if you are going to a job interview, you should be prepared to answer these types of questions, in addition to the more traditional types of ‘credentials’ or ‘experience’ questions.
The premise behind BBI is that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. In developing their questions, employers will identify the critical requirements of the job and clarify the required attributes. After all, if you are otherwise qualified (which is usually verifiable via your resume, transcripts, or references), then the next most important thing they can find out is if you have the attributes necessary to succeed in the job.
Behavioral-based interview questions requires you to think of a specific example to demonstrate that you have the attribute the employer is looking for. Questions typically begin with “Tell me about a time that…” or “Can you think of a situation where…” One example may be a question that asks about your ability to collaborate with others (See penguin team below!).
A good way to answer these types of questions is to employ the ‘STAR’ format. Give an example or tell a relevant story that includes these 4 parts:
- Situation: Give a brief description or account of the situation. What was happening, who was involved, what was the setting or environment?
- Task: What needed to be accomplished or changed?
- Action: How was the task accomplished? What action was taken and what was your role?
- Result: What was the outcome? Was the problem/issue resolved? Did it require further follow up? What did you learn from the situation? Have you modified your behavior based on the experience?
Some of the attributes that employers may look for during an interview include: strong work ethic, compassion / ability to treat others well, team player, drive, creativity, professionalism, integrity, commitment to excellence. Their questions are really an attempt to determine if you possess these attributes.
Keep these in mind when you are developing and practicing the stories you will tell in response. And yes, you should practice these in advance! You don’t want to sound like you have memorized and are reciting a script, but a little forethought and practice will help you identify some examples to use, remember the points you want to make and still sound natural when you are relating the story in your interview!
This information is adapted from Sue Keever’s NACE Journal article, October 2008.
1 Hansen, Katharine. Behavioral interviewing strategies for job seekers. www.quintcareers.com/behavioral_interviewing.html .