INTERVIEW - BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS

These are typical questions used within the interview using past behaviours to predict future behaviours, beginning with "Tell me about a time when….". Typical behaviours assessed this way include problem solving, conflict resolution, teamwork, communication and work style etc.

These questions are best answered using the STAR principle. That is, provide a description of the situation (S) and/ or actual task (T), followed by an overview of the action (A) you took and finished off with an outline of the results or outcomes (R).

Situation

Try to think of examples from your work that show of your technical skills as well as the behavioural skills being assessed.

Task

Having described the general situation now set out the specific task you were required to do. Talk in terms of "I was"… and not about the task as a whole group / team / dept.

Action

What actions did you take? If you keep answering "we…" then you have not defined your task well enough. The interviewer is only interested in you, your skills, what you have achieved in the past. They are not going to employ the whole team.

Result

• Describe the result in measurable terms. "As a result, there was a …% reduction in waste, % increase in production…."
• Also talk about what you learnt through the situation/exercise