Do You Know How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions?

Tell me about a time when . . .Interviews are stressful enough, but when you add behavioral questions to the mix it is bound to make you more nervous. Behavioral questions are based on psychology and designed to determine how you might act in a specific situation. These types of questions often start with the phrase, “Tell me about a time when.” Before you enter your next interview, think about your plan for common behavioral questions. Let’s take a closer look at what concepts you might anticipate.

Working with others.

“Tell me about a time you had to lead a team in a project. How did you motivate everyone and what was the outcome of the project.” This is just one of many examples that will allow an employer to better understand how you work in a team-based environment. Don’t take all the credit for a project. Explain your role and how you were a great team member.

Client-facing roles.

If you’re applying for a sales or client services job, they potential employer is going to want to know how to approach these client-facing situations. They may ask, “Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a client?” Or, “How did you handle an upset customer?” Show how you are able to provide great customer service and really please tough clients.

Your ability to adapt.

Some environments require constant adaptability as priorities change frequently. People who prefer routine are often unable to cope with fast-paced companies. You may hear, “Tell me about a time when you realized that the project you were working on wasn’t succeeding and you had to switch gears.” Flexibility and adaptability are two great skills to have in today’s climate.

Managing your time.

“Tell me about a situation where you may have missed an important deadline. How did you handle that?” Time management skills will be profoundly important in any company. They want to know how you establish a schedule and keep it as well as how you handle things when it doesn’t go according to plan.

How you communicate.

A potential employer also needs to understand if your communications skills are similar to their current office culture. They may ask, “When you need to discuss an issue with your boss, how do you approach them?” They may want to know if you prefer email, phone, or in-person discussions. Explain how each situation is different and you adapt to the other party.

Your motivation.

Lastly, they want to see if your overall personality is a good fit for their environment. What motivates you to do a good job every day is an important part of their consideration process. “Tell me how you get satisfaction from your job,” or “what makes you happiest at work?” Cultural fit is just as important as a skills match for the open position.

When you are ready to take the next step in your career, contact the great team of recruiters at CornerStone Staffing. As leaders in staffing in Dallas, we help job candidates find the right fit for their skill set and situation.

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