Behavioral Interviews
Behavioral interviews are unique because they require the candidates to describe in detail how they handled situations in the past, instead of just giving a description of what they did. It is based on the assumption that past behavior can predict future behavior. The employer focuses on the candidate’s past actions rather than might actions for hypothetical situations. Questions are “how you did handle” instead of “how you would handle” specific situations. Expect questions such as:
Give me an example of a time when you ... ............. ...and how you dealt with it
- Had to make a quick decision
- Faced a major problem
- Worked under major pressure
- Handled a difficult situation
- Were unable to finish a project at time
- Anticipated potential problems
- Had to adapt to a difficult situation
- Made a bad decision
- Faced a challenge and successfully me
The best technique to respond to these questions is STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result.) Give a brief description of specific situation, instance, time, place you were involved and the task that you had or wanted to perform, then a detail explanation of all the actions you took to deal with the situation and task, and finally what you accomplished (Result). If using an example where you were part of a group make sure to separate the “I” from the “we” and explain your individual actions that contributed to that particular project.
Selected Online Resources
(Links to non-UNI Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement)
- Selected Resources from UNI Libraries
- Behavioral Interviews: It's Not What You Know; It's What You Did
- What is a Behavioral Interview and Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers
- Sample of Behavioral Interview Questions
- The Riley Guide: Network, Interview, and Negotiate
You can search the Internet for additional resources using terms or phrases such as samples of behavioral interviews
Plan and Explore 
