What is the purpose of a behavioral interview?

The purpose of a behavioral interview is to evaluate how a candidate has handled specific situations in the past to predict their future performance in similar circumstances. Employers use this technique to assess soft skills, decision-making, and alignment with the company’s culture and values. It’s not just about what you’ve done but how you approached challenges and achieved results.

Key Objectives of a Behavioral Interview

Assess Past Behavior to Predict Future Success

• Core Principle: The idea is that past behavior is the best predictor of future actions. For instance, if you successfully managed a tight deadline before, it suggests you can handle similar pressures in the future.

Evaluate Non-Technical Skills

• Behavioral interviews focus on soft skills that are critical for success in any role, such as:
  • Communication
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Leadership
  • Problem-solving
  • Adaptability

Understand Cultural Fit

• Employers use behavioral interviews to gauge if your values, work style, and personality align with the company’s culture.

Test Decision-Making and Emotional Intelligence

• By exploring how you’ve handled conflicts, failures, or stressful situations, employers assess your emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and ability to navigate complex dynamics.

Examples of Behavioral Interview Questions

• "Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult team member."
• "Describe a situation where you had to adapt to significant change."
• "Can you share an example of a project where you demonstrated leadership?"

Why Behavioral Interviews Are Important

• For Employers: They get insights into how candidates operate in real-world scenarios, reducing the risk of a bad hire.
• For Candidates: It’s an opportunity to showcase problem-solving, leadership, and interpersonal skills that go beyond the resume.

Preparing for Behavioral Interviews

• Use the STAR method to structure responses: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
• Practice answering questions related to teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution.
• Reflect on past experiences where you made a meaningful impact.

Recommended Resource

• Grokking Modern Behavioral Interview is an excellent guide to mastering behavioral interview techniques with actionable strategies and real-world examples.

Behavioral interviews help employers see the person behind the technical skills, ensuring a good match for both the role and the organization.