subject: Ace the Behavioral Interview [print this page] Ace the Behavioral Interview Ace the Behavioral Interview
Behavior interview questions are unique and differ from typical questions. For example, common questions are broad and can be directed to both entry-level candidates and executive candidates. For example, (1) How do you leverage your greatest weakness in your job? (2) How does your greatest weakness hinder your job performance? (3) In ten years, where do you expect to be professionally? are all samples of questions that can be targeted to any job seeker.
Since interviewers generally ask these questions during almost every interview, savvy job seekers prepare their responses ahead of time. As such, hiring managers rarely receive an off-the-cuff answer from candidates. And as a result, interviewer's suspect they do not provide responses that are one hundred perfect honest.
That is the main reason behavior-based interview questions were invented. Interviewers wanted a way to get candid answers from candidates. Competency-based interview questions solve that issue because the questions are specific and it is difficult for candidates to make up responses on the fly. As a result, the candidate responses are more truthful.
Sample behavior-based interview questions include the following: (1) Recall a time when you arrived tardy to a crucial meeting. (2) Tell me about a time when your manager was disappointed with your performance on a project. (3) Describe a time when you had to come in early to work and weren't able to because of a previous responsibility. (4) Describe a time when a customer became upset and you had to escalate the issue to level three customer support?
Wow. Notice how much more difficult the competency-based interview questions are compared to the typical interview questions?
Nowadays, behavior-based interviews are the most popular interview method. So it is important for you to get ready to answer the questions that are thrown at you. Though it is difficult to prepare for behavior-based questions, you can form mock questions of your own by reading job descriptions and making up possible questions. In other words, if a classified ad reads, "Strong interpersonal skills a must" you should anticipate questions on how you communicate.
