ANSWERING BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS

When you are being asked behavioral questions, keep in mind that the interviewer is trying to build a picture of you. An attempt is being made to determine how you have behaved in pressure situations and how you most likely will respond in the future.

Your answers will illustrate your competence in handling pressure in your personal life as well as work situations. Examples of some of the questions you may be asked include the following:

● Tell me about a time you put your foot in your mouth and how you handled it?

● What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life?

● What is the biggest mistake you have ever made and how did you overcome it?

● How do you handle difficult people?

● Tell me about yourself and your family?

● If you could go back in time, what things would you change?

● What are you weaknesses?

● What is your biggest need for improvement?

● With hindsight, how could you have improved your progress in your last job?

● Of all of the employers you have worked for, which did you like the best and why – or the least and why?

● What was the last work conflict you had and how did you solve it?

You can also create some of your own examples and come up with answers that would give insight into your behavior.

Review Section 8.4 – "Answering The 20 Toughest Interview Questions" for some suggestions on how to answer and turn your answer into a positive.

Bob Raikes, National Certified Career Counselor