How to nail the behavioural interview

27/06/2023

How to nail the behavioural interview

• Take a blank piece of paper and write down between 10-20 examples from your education, work experience, community work, charity etc. of where you added value in a positive way.
• Now using the STAR format write out the Situation, Task, Action, Result
  
  Example question: “Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.”
  
  Situation: My role as project manager was to ensure that projects are completed on time and on budget.
  
  Task: My last role involved combining three office spaces into one. With a tight deadline of 90 days and dealing with multiple contractors from different companies, I knew it was going to be a struggle to complete the job in time. I set the goal of having everything completed within 80 days to give us 10 days at the end to make final corrections.
  
  Action: By dividing all the different contractors into three main teams and having three project managers controlling the three teams, I was able to create a more efficient and effective work timetable and ensure that downtime was kept to a minimum.
  
  Result: As a result of this more efficient working time we completed the job on time and reduced costs by 15%. This new way of dividing contractors into smaller teams has now been implemented into standard work procedure and seen a reduction in overall costs.
  
  

19 of the most asked behavioural questions

• Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation and how you overcame the situation
• Provide an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead
• Tell me about a situation where you have had to speak with an unhappy customer
• Give me an example of a time when you motivated others and how this led to a positive outcome
• Give an example of a goal you set and how you reached it
• Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to make a split second decision
• Describe a situation where you knew your boss was wrong – how did you handle it?
• Describe a major change or adjustment to your job and your reactions to the change
• Tell me about a time when you encountered conflict in the workplace and how you handled the conflict
• Provide an example of when you had to go above and beyond your normal duties in order to get the job done
• Describe a time when you put the needs of your workmates before your own when completing a task
• Provide an example of a problem you had with a co-worker or boss and how you resolved it
• Provide an example of a time when you felt you were able to motivate
• Describe a time when you did not put in 100% into your job or performance and what you did about it
• Tell me about a time when you had to solve a problem with very little guidance or direction
• Tell me about a time when you went overtime on a deadline
• What is the biggest contribution you made in your current role?
• What are you most proud of in your working career?
• Discuss a setback you have overcome in the last 12 months
  
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