Behavioral-Based Interview Questions

What is Behavioral-Based Interviewing?

Questions designed to assess how a candidate has handled situations in the past. Behavioral-based interview questions focus on specific examples of past behavior. They provide insight into a candidate's experience and problem-solving abilities.

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Understanding Behavioral-Based Interviewing

Behavioral-based interviewing is a technique used by employers to assess a candidate's suitability for a role based on their past behaviors and experiences. This approach is based on the premise that past behavior is the best predictor of future performance. Behavioral-based interviewing focuses on specific situations and actions taken by the candidate to provide insights into their skills, competencies, and fit for the role.

Principles of Behavioral-Based Interviewing

Behavioral-based interviewing is guided by several key principles:

  • Past Behavior Predicts Future Performance: The candidate's past behaviors and actions are indicative of how they will perform in similar situations in the future.
  • Focus on Specific Situations: Questions are designed to elicit detailed responses about specific situations the candidate has encountered.
  • Structured Approach: Interviews follow a structured format, with consistent questions and evaluation criteria for all candidates.
  • Real-World Examples: Candidates are encouraged to provide specific examples from their past experiences to demonstrate their skills and competencies.

Conducting Behavioral-Based Interviews

To conduct effective behavioral-based interviews, employers should follow these steps:

  • Prepare Questions: Develop a list of behavioral-based interview questions tailored to the key competencies required for the role.
  • Use the STAR Method: Encourage candidates to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure their responses.
  • Listen Actively: Pay close attention to candidates' responses and ask follow-up questions to gain deeper insights.
  • Take Notes: Take detailed notes during the interview to capture key points and examples provided by the candidate.
  • Evaluate Consistently: Use a consistent evaluation framework to assess candidates' responses against the desired competencies.

Examples of Behavioral-Based Interview Questions

Examples of behavioral-based interview questions include:

  • Teamwork: "Can you describe a time when you had to work closely with a team to achieve a goal? What was your role, and what was the outcome?"
  • Problem-Solving: "Tell me about a challenging problem you faced at work. How did you approach solving it, and what was the result?"
  • Communication: "Describe a situation where you had to communicate complex information to a non-expert audience. How did you ensure they understood?"
  • Leadership: "Give an example of a time when you had to lead a team through a difficult project. What strategies did you use, and what was the outcome?"
  • Adaptability: "Can you share an experience where you had to adapt to a significant change at work? How did you handle it?"

Benefits of Behavioral-Based Interviewing

Behavioral-based interviewing offers several benefits:

  • Predict Future Performance: By examining past behaviors, employers can predict how candidates are likely to perform in similar situations.
  • Uncover Skills and Competencies: Provide insights into candidates' skills, competencies, and suitability for the role.
  • Structured Evaluation: Offer a structured and consistent approach to evaluating candidates, reducing biases and subjectivity.
  • Real-World Examples: Encourage candidates to provide specific, real-world examples of their experiences and achievements.

Enhancing Recruitment with Behavioral-Based Interviewing

Behavioral-based interviewing is a valuable tool for assessing candidates' suitability for a role. By focusing on past behaviors and experiences, employers can gain insights into candidates' skills and competencies, leading to more informed hiring decisions and successful recruitment outcomes.

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