Are you gearing up for a job interview and feeling nervous about tackling those tricky behavioral questions? Don't worry, you're not alone. Behavioral interviews can be daunting, but with the right preparation and approach, you can ace them like a pro. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to tackle behavioral questions with confidence.
Introduction
Behavioral interviews are designed to assess your people skills and learn about your prior experiences outside of technical work. They help employers understand how well you work with others and can often determine the level of position you're offered. In these interviews, you'll be asked about specific situations you've encountered in the workplace and how you handled them.
The STAR Approach
Let's talk about the STAR approach, a framework for answering interview questions:
S: Situation - Set the context for your response.
T: Task - Clarify the objective or goal you were working towards.
A: Action - Describe the steps you took to address the situation or achieve the task.
R: Result - Explain the outcome or impact of your actions.
Using the STAR approach ensures you provide the necessary details your interviewer is looking for and helps you structure your responses effectively.
Frequent Interview Question Types
Managing Ambiguous Tasks: Show how you approach unclear problems by asking clarifying questions, gathering data, and understanding the problem space before taking action.
Prioritizing Work: Showcase your capacity to align priorities with team goals, manage conflicting tasks, and take accountability for any errors. Ensure that partners are informed of setbacks and understand their causes.
Dealing with Conflicts: Questions about handling disagreements with coworkers or leadership. Showcase your ability to use facts and data to present objective arguments, understand others' perspectives, and be willing to compromise. Focus on empathy and seeking assistance from senior engineers if necessary.
Receiving Feedback: Display maturity by being open to feedback, taking actionable steps to improve, and not taking criticism personally.
Preparation Tips for Behavioral Interviews
Craft Detailed Scenarios from Your Career: Select four to five situations from your professional experience that highlight different skills and competencies. For each scenario, outline the specific context, your role and responsibilities, the actions you took, and the outcomes achieved.
Practice the STAR Approach: Familiarize yourself with the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach for answering behavioral interview questions. Practice articulating your responses using this framework to ensure clarity and coherence.
Research Commonly Asked Questions Online: Utilize resources such as job forums, career websites, and interview preparation guides to find examples of typical behavioral interview questions. Make note of the key themes and prepare responses for each.
Prepare Anecdotes for Each Question Type: Anticipate the various question types, such as conflict resolution, prioritization, and handling feedback. Have specific anecdotes ready that demonstrate your abilities in these areas. Tailor your examples to showcase relevant skills and experiences.
Stay Calm During Follow-Up Questions: If the interviewer asks follow-up questions, remain composed and provide additional details or clarifications as needed. Remember, they're seeking a deeper understanding of your experiences, not trying to catch you off guard.
By following these tips and practicing your responses, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any behavioral interview with confidence. Remember, it's not about inflating your achievements but showcasing them in the best possible light.