Common Behavioral Questions & Answers

Listen carefully to the questions asked and, if need be, ask for further clarification. Answer with an appropriate and specific example. Often the Interviewer will ask follow-up questions to get more information,
" Tell me why you did that"
"Take me through your decision process"
"How did you feel about that"
so it is essential to have a complete, actual example to draw on.
Click on the list of Common Behavioral Questions & Answers above to help you frame your own examples.
Keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers, it is an attempt to see how you behaved in a given situation. It is not possible to fabricate an example. The Interviewer's in-depth probing will quickly expose this.
Examples can be taken from any context as long as they clearly detail the required behavior.


Sometimes in behavioral job interviews the question will try to find out how you responded to a negative situation."Tell me about a time when you were unable to solve a problem the first time, what did you do?"Prepare some examples of negative experiences, but use those that you were able to get something positive out of or learned something valuable from.
Vary your examples by thinking of situations from different areas of your life and career. Go through your resume to refresh your memory to help you with this. Make sure each example has a beginning, middle and end. Be ready to detail the situation, the actions you took and the outcome.
Stick to the facts. Exaggerating the results will be found out by the interviewer's further questioning. Stick to a specific account of one situation or event to answer the question and avoid generalizing about several related events.



Describe a new idea or suggestion that you made to your supervisor recently (initiative)
The interviewer wants to know if you are proactive and able to generate workable ideas. Show how you are a self-starter who will take action beyond what is asked of you.

" I work in orders and the company was launching a new product. The sales team had in-depth training on it but we had none. (Situation)
I suggested that the orders department should also receive the training so that we would understand what was being ordered and be able to answer any questions if necessary. It was agreed we would all undergo a short version of the training. (Action)
This meant that we could deal professionally with the orders and it also motivated us, feeling part of the launch excitement." (Result)
Tell me about a time that you had to use your judgment and make a decision in your previous job (judgment/decision-making)
The interviewer is exploring your ability to make logical decisions and take action. Show how you consider all the relevant facts, weigh up the alternatives and commit to the most appropriate action.
"I was responsible for ordering office supplies for the company. (Situation)
The company always ordered a month's supply at a time to keep inventory costs low. I had to decide whether to keep doing this or buy six month's supply and get a discount for ordering such a big volume and escape possible future price increases. I did some research and worked out we could reduce our costs by buying for six months, especially since the amount we used remained practically unchanged month on month. (Action)
I was right, the prices went up quite a bit during those six months." (Result)
Remember that these are sample answers that can be used to help you formulate your own examples from your previous jobs or other contexts when answering behavioral interview questions like these.

Describe a time that you demonstrated the ability to be an effective team member (team work)
This behavioral interview question is looking at your ability to build relationships and contribute to team success. Show how you worked effectively with the team, put team goals ahead of your own goals and made a valued contribution to the team output.
" I was transferred to a new department and a new team at my last company. The team members were not welcoming and displayed this by not including me in discussions and communications. (Situation)
I asked each team member to meet individually and informally with me to discuss their expectations of me as part of their team. I was able to explain that I understood their reluctance to trust and accept me straight off but that I wanted to contribute positively.We discussed team objectives, individual roles and working styles and started to develop a rapport with each other. I made sure that I asked for their advice and feedback initially and gradually I earned their trust. (Action)
The team learned to be more flexible in their approach to new staff members and I learned that one has to earn trust and acceptance. Our team works really cohesively towards its goals now." (Result)
Another of the common interview questions that comes up in behavioral interviews explores your leadership skills.
Tell me how you went about setting the goals for your department and gaining commitment from your staff (leadership)
The interviewer wants to know how you lead through goals, vision and values and how you use appropriate methods to guide staff towards goal accomplishment. Show how you are able to set goals and influence your staff to achieve them.