Behavioural Interview

I had the opportunity to help someone prepare for their Behavioural Interview. I couldn't find a nice, comprehensive list of sample interview questions anywhere. Here's my compilation. Feel free to write Comments to add more or any other opinions you may have.

The Behavioural Interview works on the premise that past performance is the best predictor for future success. Thus, you are being evaluated on how well your previous experiences and performances match what the employer is looking for in a successful employee.

It's probably useful to go over all your work experience and find answers to the below interview questions. And of course, practice giving your answers to a friend! Best of luck on your job interview, and hope you get the job!

Sample Behavioural Interview Questions

1. Sometimes it's easy to get in "over your head". Describe a situation where you had to request help or assistance on a project or assignment.
2. Give an example of how you applied knowledge from previous coursework to a project in another class.
3. Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?
4. Describe a situation in which you found that your results were not up to your professor's or supervisor's expectations. What happened? What action did you take?
5. Tell of a time when you worked with a colleague who was not completing their share of the work. Who, if anyone, did you tell or talk to about it? Did the manager take any steps to correct your colleague? Did you agree or disagree with the manager's actions?
6. Describe a situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise or guide others to a compromise.
7. What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision?
8. We can sometimes identify a small problem and fix it before it becomes a major problem. Give an example(s) of how you have done this.
9. Describe a situation in which you had to collect information by asking many questions of several people.
10. In a supervisory or group leader role, have you ever had to discipline or counsel an employee or group member? What was the nature of the discipline? What steps did you take? How did that make you feel? How did you prepare yourself?
11. Recall a time from your work experience when your manager or supervisor was unavailable and a problem arose. hat was the nature of the problem? How did you handle that situation? How did that make you feel?
12. Recall a time when you were assigned what you considered to be a complex project. Specifically, what steps did you take to prepare for and finish the project? Were you happy with the outcome? What one step would you have done differently if given the chance?
13. What was the most complex assignment you have had? What was your role?
14. How was your transition from high school to college? Did you face any particular problems?
15. Tell of some situations in which you have had to adjust quickly to changes over which you had no control. What was the impact of the change on you?
16. Compare and contrast the times when you did work which was above the standard with times your work was below the standard.
17. Descibe some times when you were not very satisfied or pleased with your performance. What did you do about it?
18. What are your standards of success in school? What have you done to meet these standards?
19. How have you differed from your professors in evaluating your performance? How did you handle the situation?
20. Give examples of your experiences at school or in a job that were satisfying. Give examples of your experiences that were dissatisfying.
21. What kind of supervisor do you work best for? Provide examples.
22. Describe some projects or ideas (not necessarily your own) that were implemented, or carried out successfully primarily because of your efforts.
23. Describe a situation that required a number of things to be done at the same time. How did you handle it? What was the result?
24. Have you found any ways to make school or a job easier or more rewarding?
25. What tricks or techniques have you learned to make school or a job easier, or to make yourself more effective? How did you learn that?
26. How do you determine priorities in scheduling your time? Give examples.
27. Describe a time in school when you had many projects or assignments due at the same time. What steps did you take to get them all done?
28. Tell of a time when your active listening skills really paid off for you-maybe a time when other people missed the key idea being expressed.
29. What has been your experience in giving presentations to small or large groups? What has been your most successful experience in speech making?
30. Tell of the most difficult customer service experience that you have ever had to handle-perhaps an angry or irate customer. Be specific and tell what you did and what was the outcome.
31. Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle that person?
32. Describe a situation where you found yourself dealing with someone who didn't like you. How did you handle it?
33. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with two co-workers who didn't get along with one another.
34. Describe a situation when you had to get a job done in spite of an unforeseen problem.
35. Discuss a time when you had to use your powers of persuasion to get someone to do something.
36. Give me an example of a time you had to convince others to conform to a policy you didn't believe in.
37. Tell me about a time you made a successful presentation to a prospective client.
38. Describe working on a project with a team of people who didn't always see eye to eye.
39. Give an example of a time you had to make a decision quickly.
40. Tell me about a time you did not properly handle a disagreement with a co-worker well.
41. Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.
42. Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills.
43. Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
44. Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.
45. Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone's opinion.
46. Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.
47. Please discuss an important written document you were required to complete.
48. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.
49. Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.
50. Give me an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.
51. What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.
52. Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
53. Tell me about a difficult decision you've made in the last year.
54. Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and failed.
55. Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
56. Tell me about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset customer or co-worker.
57. Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.
58. Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.
59. Give me an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.
60. Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.
61. Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.
62. Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
63. Please tell me about a time you had to fire a friend.
64. Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).
65. Tell me about a time when your work was criticised. What was your reaction?
66. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a superior. How did you handle the situation?
67. Tell me about a time when you were asked to do something with which you disagreed. How did you handle it?
68. Give me an example of a time when you had to keep from speaking or making a decision because you did not have enough information.
69. Give me an example of a time when you had to be quick in coming to a decision.
70. What is the toughest group that you have had to get cooperation from?
71. Have you ever had difficulty getting others to accept your ideas? What was your approach? Did it work?
72. Give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty.
73. Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the action of others.
74. Tell me about a situation when you had to speak up (be assertive) in order to get a point across that was important to you.
75. Have you ever had to "sell" an idea to your co-workers or group? How did you do it? Did they "buy" it?
76. What have you done in the past to contribute toward a teamwork environment?
77. Describe a recent unpopular decision you made and what the result was.
78. How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?
79. What do you do when your schedule is suddenly interrupted? Give an example.
80. Give a specific example of a policy you conformed to with which you did not agree.
81. Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.
82. Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a difficult situation.