What not to say in behavioural interview questions?

In a behavioral interview, it’s important to be mindful of what you say, as interviewers are assessing not only your past actions but also how you communicate and present yourself. Here are some things you should avoid saying during a behavioral interview:

1. Vague or Generic Responses

• What to Avoid: “I always work well with others,” or “I solve problems quickly.”
• Why: Behavioral interviews are all about specific examples. Vague responses without concrete examples make it hard for the interviewer to evaluate your experience.
• What to Do Instead: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide clear, structured, and detailed examples that demonstrate your skills.

2. Negative Comments About Former Employers or Colleagues

• What to Avoid: “My boss was terrible, so I left,” or “My team was always disorganized.”
• Why: Speaking negatively about your previous employer or colleagues can make you seem unprofessional and difficult to work with.
• What to Do Instead: Focus on the positive aspects of your experience, even if you’re talking about a challenging situation. Frame any difficulties as learning experiences or growth opportunities.

3. Saying "I Don’t Know" or "I Can’t Think of Anything"

• What to Avoid: “I don’t have any examples for that,” or “I’ve never dealt with that situation.”
• Why: Not providing an example can make you seem unprepared or lacking in relevant experience.
• What to Do Instead: If you can’t think of a perfect example, try to relate a similar experience or describe how you would handle the situation if it occurred in the future. You can use examples from non-work situations, such as school, internships, or volunteer work, if necessary.

4. Taking All the Credit (or None)

• What to Avoid: “I solved everything by myself,” or “It was a team effort, so I didn’t do much.”
• Why: Taking all the credit can make you seem arrogant, while downplaying your role can make you appear less competent.
• What to Do Instead: Focus on your specific contribution within the context of teamwork. Highlight how your actions led to a positive outcome, but acknowledge the efforts of others where relevant.

5. Being Overly Negative About Mistakes or Failures

• What to Avoid: “I really messed up that project,” or “That situation was a disaster.”
• Why: Everyone makes mistakes, but focusing solely on the negative outcome without showing what you learned or how you improved can hurt your chances.
• What to Do Instead: When discussing challenges or failures, focus on the lessons learned and how you’ve grown as a result. Emphasize what you would do differently in the future to improve the outcome.

6. Overly Long-Winded or Off-Topic Answers

• What to Avoid: Rambling off-topic or giving an answer that’s too long and lacks focus.
• Why: Long, unfocused answers can confuse the interviewer and make it harder to follow your story.
• What to Do Instead: Keep your answers concise and to the point. Stick to the STAR method to stay on track and avoid adding unnecessary details that don’t directly relate to the question.

7. Saying "I Did Everything" in a Team Scenario

• What to Avoid: “I was the one who did all the work in that project.”
• Why: In team-based questions, emphasizing that you did everything makes you appear unwilling to collaborate or share credit.
• What to Do Instead: Focus on your specific contributions, but acknowledge the role of the team in achieving success. Show that you can work well in a collaborative environment.

8. Offering Inconsistent or Contradictory Answers

• What to Avoid: Providing answers that contradict each other or previous parts of your resume.
• Why: Inconsistencies can make the interviewer doubt the accuracy or truthfulness of your answers.
• What to Do Instead: Make sure your stories align with your resume and are consistent throughout the interview. Be truthful and transparent about your experience.

9. Not Demonstrating Results

• What to Avoid: “I worked on the project, and that was it.”
• Why: Failing to highlight the results or outcomes of your actions leaves your story incomplete and doesn’t show the impact you had.
• What to Do Instead: Always emphasize the results of your actions. Quantify your success when possible, showing how your actions positively affected the project, team, or company.

10. Making Excuses or Blaming Others

• What to Avoid: “The project failed because my team didn’t follow through,” or “It wasn’t my fault the task didn’t get done.”
• Why: Blaming others can come off as defensive and may signal that you lack accountability.
• What to Do Instead: Take responsibility for your role in the situation, even if the outcome wasn’t ideal. Highlight what you learned and how you took steps to ensure improvement.

Conclusion

In a behavioral interview, avoid giving vague or overly negative responses, and don’t forget to take responsibility for your actions. Always provide specific examples that demonstrate your skills, and focus on the positive results and lessons learned from each situation. By preparing carefully and using the STAR method to structure your responses, you can avoid common pitfalls and impress your interviewer.