Companies use behavioral interview questions because they can gauge how you are likely to perform in the future by understanding how you reacted to specific situations in the past - how you’ve navigated challenging situations at work and achieved professional success.

STORYTELLING STRUCTURE

The STAR method is a popular structure you can use to answer behavioral questions. It helps you to clearly articulate the situation, task, action, and result of a specific experience. 

In my coaching sessions, I use the STARC method, which adds the step of Connection. This helps you to directly connect your experience to the job for which you are applying.

• Situation:

  The Situation step of the STAR method involves describing the specific context or background of the experience you are discussing.

  This could include details about the setting, the people involved, and any relevant circumstances that led up to the event or situation.

• Task:

  The Task step involves describing the specific responsibilities or issues that you were faced with during this experience.

  This could include any challenges or problems that you had to address, as well as any goals or objectives that you were working towards.

• Action:

  The Action step involves describing the steps or process that you took to address the task or issue.

  This could include any strategies or tactics that you used, as well as any decisions or actions that you took.

• Result:

  The Result step involves describing the outcomes or results of your action, as well as any lessons or reflections that you took away from the experience.

  This could include any positive or negative outcomes that resulted from your action, as well as any insights or lessons that you learned as a result.

• Connection:

  The Connection step involves clearly explaining how the lessons and skills you learned from that experience will help you be better at this job.

  By doing this, you can show the interviewer how your past experiences are directly applicable to the role you are seeking.

The key is to be concise, relevant and personable. Remember that interviewers are also looking for candidates that are a good culture fit for the company. This is your chance to showcase your experience and your personality.

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EXAMPLES

Here are some examples of how you might use the STARC method to answer behavioral interview questions:

Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge at work.

• S: I was working on a project with a tight deadline and we encountered several unexpected setbacks that threatened to push the deadline back.

• T: As the manager, my task was to find a way to overcome these setbacks and get the project back on track as soon as possible.

• A: Knowing that this particular team felt extra motivated by collaboration, I gathered them together and we brainstormed possible solutions. We ultimately decided to divide the work into smaller tasks and reassign some of them to other team members who volunteered to help free up time for those who were behind. We also reached out to our vendor for additional support and resources.

• R: My team’s strong relationships with our vendors opened up options I wouldn’t have considered had I not included them in the brainstorming process. We were able to complete the project on time and within budget, and our client was very happy with the result.

• C: One of the most valuable lessons I learned through this experience is that an important part of leading a team is understanding when collaboration can help expedite solutions. I also value getting to know my team so I can learn the most effective way to lead and help them be more productive.

Tell me about a time when you had to lead a team during a product launch.

• S: Actually, about a year ago, I was asked to lead a team of six people on a new product launch.

• T: My task was to oversee the entire launch process, from planning to execution.

• A: I believe in customizing project plans to accommodate individual strengths, so I assigned tasks to each team member based on their expertise. To be proactive and avoid escalations, I also held regular team meetings. With these consistent checkins, we were able to prevent issues from becoming bigger problems, which allowed us to work much more efficiently and meet our deadlines.

• R: The launch was a success, and we received positive feedback from our clients.

• C: As a leader, I focus on clear communication and effective delegation, which helps me be able to deliver excellent results within given timeframes.

It's important to be prepared for these types of questions, as they can help you stand out as a candidate and highlight the value you would add to the company.

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Use the questions below to practice answering behavioral questions:

1. Tell me about a time you made a mistake that cost your company time and/or money. 

2. Tell me about a time you had to make a decision where speed was critical.

3. Tell me about a time when you solved a problem in an innovative or creative way. 

4. Tell me about a time when you had a deadline you were not able to meet.

5. Tell me about a decision you made based on your instincts, even if it went against the data or popular opinion.

6. Tell me about a time you worked well as part of a team.

7. Tell me about a time when you had difficulty working with other team members.

8. Tell me about a time when you had to delegate tasks to your team for a large project.

9. Tell me about a time you had to work with a colleague you didn't get along with.

10. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a colleague who was not contributing to a project as much as their teammates.

11. Tell me about a time when you experienced conflict at work. 

12. Tell me about a time you had a conflict with someone within the organization.

13. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a very difficult client or partner. 

14. Tell me about a time when you faced an unexpected conflict at work. 

15. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your supervisor on how to accomplish something.

16. Tell me about a time when you were under a lot of stress.

17. Tell me about one thing you’ve done in your professional history that you wish you would have handled differently.

18. Tell me about a time when you set a goal for yourself and achieved it.

19. Tell me about your proudest professional accomplishment and why this achievement is significant to you.

20. Tell me about a major setback you’ve had. How did you deal with it?

21. Tell me about a time when you received tough or critical feedback.

22. Tell me about a time you improved a complex process. 

23. Tell me about a time you were dissatisfied with your work. 

24. Tell me about how you prioritize when you’re assigned multiple projects.

25. If you have to work from home because of Covid, tell me about the biggest challenge you faced working remotely.

26. Tell me about a calculated risk that you’ve taken regarding your career. 

27. Tell me about a time when you had to learn a new skill for work.

28. Tell me about a time you were under a lot of pressure.

29. Tell me about a situation where you directly impacted customer satisfaction.

30. Tell me about a time when you had to motivate an employee or colleague.

31. Tell me about a time when you've been in a business situation that was ethically questionable. 

32. Talk about a time when you had to adapt to big changes at work.

33. Tell me about a time when you were asked to perform a task or spearhead an initiative that went against your values. 

34. Tell me about the most exciting and energizing aspect of your current or most recent position. 

35. Tell me about a time you used your leadership skills to help your team deal with a difficult challenge.

36. Tell me about a time you worked on a challenging team project.

37. Tell me about the most complex project you’ve worked on. 

38. Tell me about a time when you couldn’t complete a project.

39. Tell me about a time when you had a project that had to change drastically while it was in progress.

40. Tell me about a time you had to handle a crisis during a project.

41. Tell me about a time when you couldn’t complete a project.

42. Tell me about a time when you had a project that had to change drastically while it was in progress.

43. Tell me about a time you had to handle a crisis during a project.

44. Tell me about a time when you were under a lot of stress and it negatively impacted your work.

45. Tell me about one thing you’ve done in your professional history that you wish you would have handled differently.

46. Tell me about a major setback you’ve had. How did you deal with it?

47. Tell me about a time when you received tough or critical feedback.

48. Tell me about a time you were dissatisfied with your work. 

49. Tell me about a time you made a mistake that cost your company time and/or money. 

50. Tell me about a time when you had a deadline you were not able to meet.

Invest time in identifying experiences that showcase your professional strengths. It's really important to practice and be prepared for these types of questions because they will help you stand out as the best candidate for the job.

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