Job seekers often prepare for interviews by reviewing commonly asked questions that focus on experience and skills. However, you may also want to anticipate behavioral questions. This interviewing technique has gained popularity as employers seek candidates who are not only skilled and talented but also a solid fit for the company's culture.
Behavioral interview questions prompt you to share a story, describe a situation and provide a solution to a problem based on past experience. Questions may range from "Why did you dislike a former co-worker, and how did you deal with him or her?" to "If I assign work that isn’t part of your job description, what will you do?" The questions are designed to uncover how you have behaved in previous situations and reveal both your personality and character.
Use your responses to behavioral questions to demonstrate your ability to think critically while also showcasing your willingness to learn, collaborate with teams and work as a self-starter. Behavioral interview questions allow you to display your professionalism and cool head. This type of question may make some job seekers uncomfortable, but the intent is to allow interviewers to observe how you respond under pressure. This tactic is especially revealing when employers are hiring candidates for high-pressure or deadline-oriented positions.
Display your professionalism and your ability to respond to behavioral questions while under pressure by providing specific details about situations that relate to the question. Describe the issue, the actions you took, and offer positive details about the result or outcome. Frame your responses to highlight your professionalism, technical skills and ability to solve problems. These tactics are likely to impress the hiring manager and ultimately land you a job offer.
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