Behavior Based Interviewing:

Behavior Based Interviewing is a behavioral selection technique based upon past behavior predicting future behavior.

Interviewers ask questions relating to the following areas:

• Adaptability
• Building Trust
• Customer Orientation
• Communication Skills
• Managing Work
• Quality Orientation
• Results Orientation
• Goal Setting
• Time Management
• Decision Making
• Team Orientation / Collaboration
• Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills
• Assertiveness
• Creativity - Imagination

Your answers will describe a recent experience and be formatted using the following three parts:

1) The situation, task or project you were in or given.
2) Your specific action in that situation, task or project.
3) The result of your action in the situation, task or project

To be a successful Behavior Based Interviewee, candidates should think of three or four recent experiences that you can relay to hiring authorities from the above areas using the three-part answer format.  Think of your accomplishments and problem solving abilities. 

Sample Behavior Based Interview questions:

• Describe a situation in which you had to use reference materials to write a research paper. What was the topic? What journals did you read? (research/written communication)
• Give me a specific example of a time when a co-worker or classmate criticized your work in front of others. How did you respond? How has that event shaped the way you communicate with others? (oral communication.)
• Give me a specific example of a time when you sold your supervisor or professor on an idea or concept. How did you proceed? What was the result? (assertiveness)
• Describe the system you use for keeping track of multiple projects. How do you track your progress so that you can meet deadlines? How do you stay focused? (commitment to task)
• Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company or class was facing. What was the challenge? What role did others play? (creativity and imagination)
• Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome? (decision making)
• Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together. How did you accomplish this? What was the outcome? (teamwork)
• Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn? (time management)
• Describe a time when you put your needs aside to help a co-worker or classmate understand a task. How did you assist them? What was the result? (flexibility)
• Describe two specific goals you set for yourself and how successful you were in meeting them. What factors led to your success in meeting your goals? (goal setting)

It is important to remember:

• Keep your responses “professional.”  Don’t bring up personal or financial  accomplishments and/or shortcomings.
• Put a positive spin on your answers.  If they ask about a mistake you made, tell them what you learned from it.
• Never bad-mouth a previous or current company, manager or co-worker.
• Listen to the complete question and keep your answer short.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification – if you don’t understand the question, ask them to re-state it in another way.