BEHAVIORAL Interview Questions & Answers! (How to ANSWER Behavioural Interview Questions!)

Summary

In this video, Richard from PassMyInterview.com demonstrates how to answer challenging behavioral interview questions using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result). He shares real-world examples of overcoming challenges such as working under pressure, solving difficult problems, and handling customer conflicts. Richard also emphasizes the importance of preparation and offers valuable tips to ace your interview, including how to handle questions related to teamwork, mistakes, and problem-solving. The video provides both practical advice and examples, aiming to help viewers perform confidently in their upcoming interviews.

Takeaways

• 😀 Behavioral interview questions assess your ability to meet the requirements of the job role you are applying for.
• 😀 The STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a great way to structure your responses to behavioral interview questions.
• 😀 It's important to prepare answers for common behavioral interview questions before your interview to improve your performance.
• 😀 Always remain calm and focused during challenging situations, such as when working under pressure or solving problems.
• 😀 Going above and beyond for a customer can benefit both the customer and the company in the long term.
• 😀 When dealing with conflict at work, it's essential to approach the situation professionally and resolve it respectfully.
• 😀 Being proactive in improving processes can lead to significant cost savings for your company.
• 😀 Don't be afraid to take responsibility for mistakes, own up to them, and work to correct them in the future.
• 😀 Always try to listen to other team members' ideas and consider their experiences to encourage collaboration and innovation.
• 😀 Effective communication and providing clear instructions can make a big difference when helping customers who are unfamiliar with processes or systems.

Q & A

What is the STAR technique, and why is it important in answering behavioral interview questions?

The STAR technique stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It helps in structuring answers to behavioral interview questions by providing a clear and concise method for explaining the context of a challenge, what needed to be done, the actions taken, and the outcomes of those actions. It is important because it allows candidates to provide well-rounded answers that showcase their problem-solving skills, decision-making, and results.

How does Richard demonstrate teamwork in the interview?

Richard demonstrates teamwork by explaining how he suggested a collaborative approach for his team to come up with ideas to increase sales. He emphasizes the importance of listening to each team member’s ideas, creating a collective solution, and how this led to a 12% increase in sales.

What is Richard's approach when working under pressure?

Richard mentions that he actually performs better under pressure. He gives an example of volunteering to take on extra responsibilities when a colleague called in sick, organizing tasks, and ensuring everything was completed on time. His method includes staying focused, organizing tasks in priority order, and remaining calm even when staying late to meet deadlines.

Can you describe a difficult problem Richard faced and how he solved it?

Richard faced the challenge of a website going down the day before a major sale. Despite lacking technical expertise, he took the initiative to search for external help, found an IT expert, and successfully got the website back up and running in time for the sale.

How does Richard go above and beyond for customers?

Richard exemplifies going above and beyond when he patiently helps an elderly customer navigate the online ordering system, despite company restrictions on call time. He reassured the customer, walked them through the entire process, and ensured they were confident in placing their order. This extra effort resulted in the customer becoming a repeat buyer.

What is Richard's strategy for resolving conflict with co-workers?

Richard believes in resolving conflicts professionally and respectfully on his own, without escalating it to a manager. In one example, he addressed a senior colleague’s dismissiveness of his ideas by privately discussing it after the meeting, which led to an apology and improved working relationships.

How did Richard improve a process in his previous role?

Richard identified an inefficiency in how office supplies were ordered in small quantities, which resulted in higher costs over time. He suggested a larger bulk purchase, which would save the company money in the long term. After conducting research and presenting the idea, his manager approved it, saving the company £3,000 annually.

Why is it important to prepare answers for common behavioral interview questions?

Preparing answers for common behavioral interview questions is important because it allows candidates to respond confidently and structure their answers effectively using the STAR technique. It ensures they can demonstrate their skills, experience, and problem-solving abilities during the interview.

What are some common behavioral interview questions Richard recommends preparing for?

Richard suggests preparing for questions like: 'Tell me about a time when you worked under pressure,' 'Describe a situation where you solved a difficult problem,' 'Tell me about a time you had conflict at work,' and 'Give me an example of a goal you achieved.' These questions assess critical skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and conflict resolution.

How does Richard approach the question about making mistakes at work?

Richard emphasizes the importance of acknowledging mistakes and learning from them. He gives an example of making an error in compiling sales figures due to not following the brief properly. He quickly took responsibility, apologized, and corrected the mistake, ultimately improving his attention to detail.