Behavior-Based Interviews

Many employers have switched to behavior-based questions in their interviews. Behavior-based interviews are based on the concept that past behavior is the best predictor of future performance. What you have done in the past is a good indicator of how you likely will perform in the future.

Students can help prepare for behavior-based interviews by considering the following questions:

• How are your previous internship or other work experiences relevant to this job?
• What are the specific qualities the employer is seeking in candidates for this job?
•  What specific examples can you provide where you demonstrated the characteristics sought by the employer?

To answer behavior-based interview questions effectively, students should use the Situation-Action-Results (SAR) approach:

Situation – Briefly describe the problem or situation you encountered (avoid getting bogged down in too many details).

Action - Explain the action you took.

Results - Describe the outcome AND what you learned!

SOME SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

* Provide an example of a time when you took the initiative to get something done.

* Describe a time when you solved a challenging problem.

* Tell me about a situation that required several things to be done at the same time.

* Describe a goal that you set for yourself and explain how you reached that goal.

* Describe a goal that you set for yourself that you didn't reach.

* Tell me about a time when you had an innovative or creative idea.

* Give us an example of a time where you showed your ability to keep track of details.

* Tell me about a time where the end result wasn't what you expected.

* Describe a time when you went "above and beyond" what was expected of you.

* Give me an example of a project that was very successful.

* Describe the best supervisor and the worst supervisor you've had, and explain why.

* What is the most challenging or stressful situation you have encountered?

* Tell me about an experience where you had to adapt to different situations.

* Give an example of a situation where you experienced a difficult coworker.

* What is the most frustrating experience you have encountered?