Interview Preparation Tips (Part 15 of 20)

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The Behavioral Interview

In behavioural interviews, candidates are asked to respond to questions that require examples of previous activities undertaken and behaviours performed. To succeed at this type of interview, be prepared to give accounts of how you have dealt with difficulties on the job. The purpose of this type of interview is to predict future performance based on past experiences.

Become familiar with various types of interviews, as you may encounter interviewers who blend styles to suit the interview objectives and to test for employment readiness.

Your responses require not only reflection, but also organization. To maximize your responses in the behavioral format:

Anticipate the transferable skills and personal qualities that are required for the job.

Review your resume. Any of the qualities and skills you have included in your resume are fair game for an interviewer to press.

Reflect on your own professional, volunteer, educational and personal experience to develop brief stories that highlight these skills and qualities in you. You should have a story for each of the competencies on your resume as well as those you anticipate the job requires.

Prepare stories by identifying the context, logically highlighting your actions in the situation, and identifying the results of your actions. Keep your responses concise and present them in less than two minutes.