Behavioural interview questions – Q and A breakdown

The big problem with behavioural interview questions is not knowing what question you’re going to be asked. While you can prepare for the standard old interview questions, you’re really going to have a hard time preparing for diverse and different questions.

Or are you?

While it’s certainly difficult to be fully prepared for behavioural interview questions, it helps to go over some types of questions you might be asked I've been doing a lot of recruitment lately so i've commented on what I'm personally looking for in the answer.

Let’s take a look at a few questions, but please be very aware that every interviewer, recruiter or employer may have immensely different questions.

1. Tell me about a project you worked on where the requirements changed. What did you do?

In this type of question I’m looking for someone to be able to absorb change and describe how they deal with it. Ideally I’d be looking for the use of process, change control forms, and if the candidate is really good, some examples where they controlled change using the word “no”.

2. Tell me about a time when you took the lead on a project. What did you do?

This is a classic leadership example question. If you took over the lead on a project how did you deal with the assigned staff, the new responsibilities and more importantly the deadlines? I’d be looking for someone that enjoyed it and “took it on”.

3. Describe the worst project you worked on.

The answer I’m looking for in this question is usage of the words “lessons learnt”. A disaster project can be a blessing in disguise if you reviewed it! I’ll keep diving until I know if you conducted a lessons learnt or not.

4. Describe a time you had to work with someone you didn't like.

As you probably know, in a big office you don’t often get to choose who you work with. Are you at risk of causing a major incident? Do you get on well with people? Ideally I’d like to hear how you found a commonality and worked together collaboratively.

5. Tell me about a time when you had to stick by a decision you had made, even though it was very unpopular.

Another leadership example. Did you cave under pressure or did you push your agenda. This question gives me an insight as to how you handle stress, work relationships and company policy. Do you just want people to like you, or do you want to get the job done. Answer this question by telling me how you pushed your agenda and dealt with the outcome.

6. Give us an example of something particularly innovative that you have done that made a difference in the workplace.

This is focusing on your creativity . Are you a thinker? Can you think outside the boundaries of your role? Are you high performer in the work place? Ideally I would look for someone that has come up with a way to either save or make more money for the company inside their role.

Give it all you’ve got

Although you might have an awesome resume, it’s how you answer these types of questions that ultimately determines if you’ve got the job.

Behavioural interview questions are a great way to prove that you’re the right person for the job if you know how to best tackle them.