In a behavioral interview, you decide what skills are needed in the position. Then develop questions to find out if the candidate has those skills. Instead of asking how they would behave, ask how they did behave. You want to know how someone handled a situation, instead of what they may do in the future. Behavioral interview questions will be more pointed, more probing and more specific than traditional interview questions. Consider asking a number of questions from the examples below:
- Give an example of an occasion when you used logic to solve a problem.
- Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.
- Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it.
- Have you gone above and beyond the call of duty? If so, how?
- What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? Give an example of how you handle it.
- Have you had to convince a team to work on a project they weren't thrilled about? How did you do it?
- Have you handled a difficult situation with a co-worker? How?
- Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure
- Give me an example about a time when you had an underperforming employee reporting to you. How did you address the situation? Did the employee's performance improve?
- If I were to interview your reporting staff members, how would they describe your strengths and weaknesses as a manager and supervisor?
- What factors are crucial within an organization and must be present for you to work most effectively?
- Describe a work situation in which you can demonstrate that you motivated another person.
- Describe the work environment or culture in which you are most productive and happy.
- Give an example of a successful project you were part of. What was your role? Why was the project successful?
- • Have you ever been a member of a successful team? If so, describe the role you played on the team and in its success.
- Give me an example of a time when your work group or department worked especially well with another work group or department to accomplish a goal.
- Have you been a member of a team that struggled or failed to accomplish its goal? If so, what assessment did you make of the reasons for the failure?
- Give me an example of a time when you played a leadership role in an event, an activity, a department or work unit, or a project. Describe how you led the efforts and how people responded to your leadership.
- Tell me about a time when you had to work closely with a coworker whom you disliked or with whom you had trouble working. What did you do to make the relationship work so you could succeed?
- Tell me about a time when you disagreed with the actions or decisions of your manager or supervisor. How did you approach the situation? Was the situation resolved to your satisfaction? Describe a conflict you were involved in at work. How did you resolve the conflict? What happened next with that coworker or team?
- What are three examples of the kinds of behaviors, actions, or attitudes you are most likely to conflict with at work? Can you give me an example of a situation you addressed in the past? How was it resolved?
- What are the three most important factors that make you an effective, valued coworker in your current job? What would your supervisor say are the three most important factors?
- When you have entered a new workplace in the past, describe how you have gone about meeting and developing relationships with your new coworkers, supervisors, and reporting staff.
