Behavior-Based Interviews

Interviewing

Resources

JobWeb: Resumes & Interviews
Riley Guide: Network, Interview & Negotiate
International Business Etiquette

What was your Challenge?

What Action did you take to meet the challenge?

What Resulted from your actions?

The Goal

The goal during a behavioral-based interview is to determine these components in your answers! See if you can find the three components in the following answers:

Q: Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company or class was facing.

A: Parking at my school was a real nightmare during my last year there. People would cruise for hours looking for a legal parking spot. So, I wrote a petition requesting more parking on an empty lot adjacent to campus, circulated it around the school, collected over 500 signatures, and submitted it to the Student Senate. They just finished construction!

What was the Challenge? Action? Results?
Q: Describe a time you effectively juggled multiple tasks with limited time.

A: It was three weeks before finals, and I had three research papers to write, a group project to coordinate, a science paper to present at an international conference, a couple of labs to finish up, and my sister was getting married in a couple of weeks, and I was in charge of the party. In addition to all of this, my work hours were increased. Through careful time management using a planner and prioritizing, I completed all of the assignments, got an "A" on my project, completed all of my work hours, received praise for the presentation, and gave my sister a great party. I finished the semester with a 3.67/4.0 GPA.

Challenge? Action? Results?

Practicing Answers

How would you improve the answers to the questions above? Practice your own answers:

Share with me a time a professor, supervisor or classmate criticized your work or ideas in front of others and tell me how you responded.
Tell me about a time you failed to meet a deadline.
Describe a specific problem you solved for your friend, employer or professor and how you solved it.
Tell me about a time when you recognized opportunity in a potential problem.
What is required to be successful in medical school or in a particular program or work setting? Tell me how you have used these qualities and skills in the past.
Describe how you handle stress and tell me about a situation where your method worked effectively to get you through a stressful time.
Tell me about the most interesting research project you conducted as an undergraduate and a little about your research process.

Preparing for Interview Questions

Analyze the position. What is required for success in this position? Think experience, education, skills and qualities.
Analyze yourself. What skills, experience, etc., do you possess similar to the requirements?
Identify specific examples that "show" the skills and qualities you possess.
When possible, qualify and quantify. This makes you seem more credible.
You may be asked to share times when you have failed. Everyone fails sometimes. These questions are asked to gauge your reaction. Keep it positive and focus on what you learned rather than the negative outcomes.
Keep a professional portfolio. Review this portfolio before interviewing to help you to remember significant achievements.