Behavioural or Competency-Based Job Interviews
Practice Makes Perfect
The theory: past behavior is
the best predictor of future behavior
A behavioural interview is considered the most challenging type of interview to master. The theory behind behavioural interview questions is that past behaviour is the best predictor of future behavior.
These interview questions relate to how you handled various situations in former jobs, and can often be tough to answer. Behavioural interview skills require advance preparation and practice. How would you answer some of the sample interview questions below?
- Can you describe a time you used persuasion to convince someone to see things your way?
- Can you describe the coping skills you used during a stressful situation?
- Can you tell me about a time you used presentation skills to influence the opinion of others?
- How did you handle having too many tasks due at the same time?
- Can you describe a time you had to deal with conflict?
- Can you tell me about a difficult decision you made last year?
- Can you give me an example of failing at something you tried to accomplish?
- Can you describe a time you showed initiative and took the lead?
- Can you explain how you dealt with a very upset customer or co-worker?
- Can you give me an example of a time you motivated others?
- Can you tell me about a time you delegated effectively?
- Can you describe a time you missed an obvious solution to a problem?
- Can you describe a time you anticipated problems and developed preventive measures?
- Can you tell me about a time you had to make an unpopular decision?
- Can you describe a time you set your sights too high or too low?
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To shine during a behavioural interview, our interview advice is to use the SOAR model below to outline interview answers to a few of the above questions. Click here to familiarise yourself with the SOAR model.
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