Behavior Based Interviews

1
Behavior Based Interviews

• What job seekers need to know in order to
  effectively compete in the job market.

2
Preparation is Key to Success in the Interview

• You need to know about
• The Field i.e., finance, retail sales, human
  resources
• The Company do your homework
• The Position Skills needed, duties, etc
• The Interviewer name, position

3
Employers use past performance to predict future
performance

• They determine the most important skills needed
  for the job.
• Questions are then developed to determine if the
  candidate possesses these skills.
• Interviewees are asked to provide examples which
  demonstrate how they handled situations in the
  past.

4
Employers are looking for answers that
demonstrate you have skills in

• Communication
• Analytical Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Teamwork / Interaction
• Goal setting
• Task specific skills

5
Suggestions for Preparing for Behavioral
Interviews

• Review the job description and determine what
  skills are required for the position.
• Practice answering interview questions.

6
Assess yourself

• Identify your skills and experiences related to
  the job requirements.
• Think about specific examples of how you have
  used those skills
• in classes - community
  involvement
• activities - work experience
• internships

7
Develop brief stories/scenarios that describe a
specific situation.

• Use the STAR approach
• Situation
• Who, what, when, where, etc.
• Action
• What you did
• Result
• What was the outcome

8
Be prepared to discuss situations where things
didnt go well.

• Employers are interested in how well you handle
  failure, as well as, success.
• Demonstrate how you used this experience to make
  a change.

9
Identify attributes that set you apart from the
competition.

• Make a point of mentioning them.
• Recognition awards
• Special abilities, talent, etc.

10
Listen carefully

• Answer the question that was asked.
• Make sure you completely understand the question
  before you provide your answer.
• If you are in doubt, paraphrase the question.

11
Some sample behavior-based interview questions.

• Tell me about a time when you had to coordinate
  the work of others.
• Describe a significant or creative project which
  you completed.
• How would you address an angry customer?
• Tell me about a time when you had a disagreement
  with a co-worker.
• Describe your experience with (competency)

12
Questions cont

• Tell me about a time you made a mistake that cost
  your employer money.
• Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed or
  stressed out. How did you handle it?

13
Ask pertinent Questions

• You are judged more by the questions you ask than
  the answers you give.
• Questions reveal a great deal about you your
  goals, motives, confidence, etc.

14
You ARE your questions

• Choose questions that clearly represent your
  highest priorities and speak to the companys
  need.
• Ask questions that best reveal the self you would
  like the interviewer to remember.

15
Sample questions to ask

• What significant changes do you foresee in the
  near future?
• What are some of the long-term objectives that
  you would like completed?
• How is one judged? What accounts for success?