THE FINE ART OF Q & A
– How do I respond to behavior-based questions?
More and more interviewers are focusing their questions on experiences and behaviors that are job related. The premise of behavior-based interviewing is that past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Your answer to a behavior-based question must tell a story by giving a specific example of a situation you handled successfully. If your response is not specific, you will find that the interviewer will continue to probe until you have provided concrete examples.
To prepare for these types of questions, analyze both your skills and those sought by the employer; and identify examples from your past experience where you demonstrated those skills.
Also, keep in mind that these are not easy questions to answer. No matter how much you prep, you’ll not be able to anticipate every question you’ll be asked. It is okay to pause during the interview and give these some thought. A good interviewer expects this.
• Be prepared to answer questions such as:
o “Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult boss.”
o “Give me an example of a situation where you took charge.”
o “Please describe a situation in which you were involved in a project as part of a team.”
o “Describe a major problem you have faced and how you dealt with it.”
• Recall recent situations that show favorable behaviors or actions, especially involving work experience, leadership, teamwork, initiative, planning, and customer service.
• Prepare short descriptions of each situation; be ready to give details if asked.
• Be sure each story has a beginning, a middle, and an end (i.e., be ready to describe the situation, your action, and the outcome or result.)
• Be sure the outcome or result reflects positively on you (even if the result itself was not favorable.)
• Be honest. Don’t embellish or omit any part of the story. The interviewer will find out if your story is built on a weak foundation.
Be specific. Don’t generalize about several events; give a detailed accounting of one event.
RESOURCES
- Learning Point – http://www.learningpt.org/ Learning Point Associates applies research and evaluation, direct professional services, and policy knowledge to create change at every level of the education system—classroom, school, district, state and national.
- Professional Development Institute – http://www.webteaching.com/ The Professional Development Institute offers quality online courses for K-12 educators. For every PDI course, teachers have the option of earning graduate-level extension credit from the prestigious University of San Diego (USD) or continuing education units from the world-renowned University of Southern California (USC).
- Resume’s That Win – www.resumesthatwin.net Resumes That Win is a minority owned boutique resume writing firm that provides comprehensive resume and career services to those who desire extraordinary, specialized attention.
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