How can you prepare for a behavioral interview?

1 Understand the job

The first step to prepare for a behavioral interview is to understand the job you are applying for and the skills and qualities that are required for it. You can do this by reading the job description carefully, researching the company and its culture, and reviewing the competencies or behaviors that are relevant for the role. For example, if you are applying for a sales position, you might expect to be asked about your communication, negotiation, and persuasion skills. If you are applying for a project management position, you might expect to be asked about your planning, organization, and teamwork skills.

2 Review your resume

The next step to prepare for a behavioral interview is to review your resume and identify the examples or stories that showcase your skills and achievements. You can use your resume as a guide to recall the situations or projects that you were involved in, the actions that you took, and the results that you achieved. You can also think of other examples that are not on your resume but are relevant for the job. For example, you can use examples from your volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or personal life.

3 Use the STAR method

The third step to prepare for a behavioral interview is to use the STAR method to structure your answers. This method stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, and is a great way to describe your examples in a clear and concise manner. When using the STAR method, you should first provide the context or background of the situation or challenge that you faced. Then, explain the goal or objective that you had to achieve or the problem that you had to solve. After that, detail the specific steps or actions that you took to accomplish the task or overcome the challenge. Finally, provide the outcome or impact of your actions, using quantifiable or measurable data if possible.

4 Practice your answers

The fourth step to prepare for a behavioral interview is to practice your answers out loud. You can do this by asking a friend, a family member, or a mentor to conduct a mock interview with you and give you feedback. You can also record yourself and listen to your answers. This will help you to improve your delivery, confidence, and timing. You should aim to keep your answers between one and three minutes long, depending on the complexity of the question. You should also avoid rambling, being vague, or giving irrelevant details.

5 Prepare questions for the interviewer

The final step to prepare for a behavioral interview is to prepare some questions for the interviewer. This will show that you are interested in the job and the company, and that you have done your homework. You can ask questions about the expectations, the challenges, the opportunities, or the culture of the role or the organization. You can also ask questions that relate to the behavioral questions that you were asked, such as how they measure success, how they handle feedback, or how they collaborate with others.

By following these steps, you can prepare for a behavioral interview and increase your chances of impressing the interviewer and landing the job. Remember that behavioral interviews are not only about what you did, but also about how you did it and why you did it. They are an opportunity to showcase your skills, personality, and fit for the job and the company.