Behavioural interview questions are one of the most effective ways for employers to understand how a candidate actually performs at work. As a result, when employers ask about real experiences instead of hypotheticals, they gain a clear picture of your skills, decision-making, and cultural fit.
In this guide we explain what behavioural interview questions are, why they work, and how you can prepare for them so you give your best answers.
Why Employers Use Behavioural Interview Questions
Employers want to know candidates beyond their written job application. To understand what applicants have that is valuable to them, the best way is to use behavioural interview questions. This technique asks you to describe your personal experiences in real work situations. Drawing on a variety of past experiences allows employers to determine how you might fare in the job you’ve applied for.
Below are our top 10 tips to nail those behavioural interview questions and showcase your skills in a natural way:
1. It’s About You
First and foremost, remember there is no pass or fail – these are your experiences. Explain the situation briefly, focus on what you did, and be honest about your actions. Employers are looking for authenticity.
2. Plan It Out
Before the interview, identify the key traits that will be of interest to the employer for the role. Relate your experience to these traits and make a quick list of situations you can use. This planning helps you stay calm and clear.
3. Examples, Examples, Examples
Think of some concrete examples relating to these traits that you would like to use in the interview. Write them down and practise explaining them out loud so they’re easy to recall under pressure. Answering behavioural interview questions mean you are speaking about real things that you did at work, you are not making up answers but sometimes it’s hard to put these into words when you are in an interview situation.
4. Where’s the Data?
Look at your past performance appraisals, KPIs or project outcomes. This will help you identify achievements and situations you can use as examples and give you data points to support your story.
5. Not Too Much Detail
Address the question at hand without spending too much time on every detail of the situation. Focus on what’s most relevant to the interviewer.
6. Outcomes Are Key
Don’t just describe your behaviour – showcase how it benefited you and the business. Interviewers want to hear about tangible results as well as what you did.
7. What Did You Learn?
Describe any mistake or area for improvement with confidence. The best answers show what you learnt from them and how you’ve applied those lessons since.
8. Handling Conflict
In almost every interview, there will be a question about team member conflict. When answering, outline how the conflict was managed and how the resolution was effective at accommodating others and the business’s needs.
9. Give a Bit Extra
Showcasing your learning preferences, team interaction and approach to problem solving is always going to help. These are important aspects for almost any job role, and showcasing them without being asked is going to give you extra points.
10. Be Yourself
The best approach is to be honest and open while enjoying the process. Interviewers appreciate authenticity and can usually tell when someone is trying too hard to give a “perfect” answer.
Wrapping Up Behavioural Interviewing Skills
Preparing for behavioural interview questions doesn’t have to be daunting. With practice and the right examples, you can show employers your true value and stand out from other candidates.
Want to take your interview prep further? Read our guide on How to Get a Promotion or Payrise for tips on presenting your achievements.
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Find a few extra ideas here on answering behavioural interview questions
