How to Answer "Behavior Based Interview Questions" - Interview Tip

Summary

The transcript discusses the importance of behavior-based interviews, emphasizing the STAR technique for structuring responses around Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It highlights the need to focus on personal actions and outcomes, using detailed examples to showcase one's capabilities. The speaker shares a personal story from an internship at UBS, detailing a challenging task, the effort put in, and the valuable lessons learned from failure, which ultimately led to a full-time job offer.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Behavioral interviews focus on past actions to predict future behavior.
• 📝 The STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is crucial for organizing responses.
• 🏁 It's important to include results in your stories, as they provide closure and impact.
• 👥 Employers want to hear specific actions taken by the candidate, not just team efforts.
• 📋 Providing detailed examples with names, dates, times, and places adds credibility.
• 📈 Candidates should review their past experiences to identify stories that demonstrate their abilities.
• 🤝 Employers value effort and determination, even if the outcome isn't perfect.
• 🚀 Learning from failures and demonstrating growth is a positive trait in candidates.
• 💼 The interview process assesses not just skills, but also the candidate's attitude and potential fit.
• 📊 Real-world examples from internships or projects can effectively showcase a candidate's capabilities.

Q & A

What is the purpose of behavior-based interviewing?

Behavior-based interviewing is used by employers to predict future behavior by examining past behavior. It helps them understand how candidates have acted in specific situations and how they might act in the future.

What does the STAR technique stand for in the context of behavioral interviews?

The STAR technique stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It is a framework used to structure responses to behavioral interview questions by outlining the situation, explaining the task, detailing the actions taken, and discussing the results.

Why is it important to include results in a behavioral interview response?

Including results is crucial because it provides a complete picture of the candidate's actions and their outcomes. It's like finishing the story with a conclusion, allowing the interviewer to understand the impact and effectiveness of the candidate's actions.

What should a candidate focus on when discussing their actions in a behavioral interview?

A candidate should focus on their specific actions (using 'I' statements) rather than group actions ('we' statements) to demonstrate personal initiative and responsibility for the outcomes.

How can a candidate prepare for behavioral interview questions?

A candidate can prepare by reviewing their resume, reflecting on past experiences, and identifying specific stories that demonstrate their skills and actions. They should also consider recent experiences and interactions that can be used to craft detailed narratives.

Why is it beneficial to provide detailed information such as names, dates, and places in a behavioral interview?

Providing detailed information adds credibility and depth to the candidate's story, helping the employer to understand the context and the scope of the candidate's accomplishments more clearly.

What is the significance of the candidate's experience with the merger model during their UBS internship?

The candidate's experience with the merger model is significant because it demonstrates their ability to take initiative, work independently, and learn from failure. Despite the initial rejection of their work, their effort and determination were recognized and contributed to their receiving a full-time offer.

How did the candidate handle the situation when their work was rejected during the UBS internship?

The candidate initially felt disappointed and doubted their abilities, but they later realized that the experience was part of the learning process. They learned from their mistakes and continued to demonstrate determination, which ultimately led to a full-time job offer.

What lesson did the candidate learn from the failure of their initial merger model?

The candidate learned that making mistakes is a part of the learning process, especially in a new environment. They understood the importance of effort, determination, and resilience in the face of failure.

Why did the senior analyst at UBS cross out the candidate's work with an X?

The senior analyst crossed out the candidate's work to demonstrate that the initial approach was incorrect and needed to be redone. This was part of the learning experience, showing the candidate that there is always room for improvement and that failure is an opportunity to learn.

How did the candidate's story about the UBS internship demonstrate the STAR technique?

The candidate's story demonstrated the STAR technique by clearly outlining the situation (internship at UBS), the task (creating a merger model), the actions taken (spending 12 hours on the model), and the results (initial failure but learning and receiving a full-time offer).