How to Prepare for a Behaviorial Interview
Before you head out to a job interview, take the time to prepare in advance. You may, or may not, be asked behaviorial interview questions, but it's best to be prepared in case you are.
- Review what a behavioral interview is and what companies are looking for during a behavioral interview.
- Review sample behavioral interview questions.
- Review how to prepare for a behavioral interview.
Company and Job Research
Taking the time to research both the company and the job you are interviewing for will help you prepare for a job interview. That way you'll be prepared both to respond to interview questions and to ask the interviewer questions. You will also be able to find out whether the company and the company culture are a good fit for you. Here's how to research the company so you're well informed ahead of time.
Behavioral Interview Techniques
First of all, take your time. It's fine to take a little time to frame your response if you're not sure how to respond to the question. If you are not sure how to answer the question, ask for clarification. Then be sure to include these four points in your answer - situation, task, action, results.
- A specific situation
- The tasks that needed to be done
- The action you took
- The results i.e. what happened
Do keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers to behavioral interview questions. The interviewer's goal is to understand how you behaved in a given situation. How you respond will determine if there is a match between your skills and the position the company is seeking to fill.
The best behavioral interview strategy includes listen carefully, be clear and detailed when you respond and, most importantly, be honest. If your answers aren't what the interviewer is looking for, this position may not be the best job for you anyway.
Follow Up After the Interview
Was there something you wished you had said during the interview, but didn't get a chance to? Your thank you note gives you a chance to mention it. It's also an opportunity to reiterate your interest in the job and the company. Here's how to follow up with a thank you note after an interview:
More About Behavioral Job Interviews
Here's more information on behavioral job interviews, including behavioral job interview questions, how to prepare for a behavioral interviews, and techniques and strategies for acing a behavioral job interview.
Interview Articles and Advice
