First impressions matter, and job interviews are no exception. Employers use interviews to assess your skills and fit for their organization, making it crucial to answer questions thoughtfully and strategically. One type of interview question you’re likely to encounter is the behavioral question, which asks you to describe how you’ve handled situations in the past. These questions can be tricky to answer, but with the right approach, you can impress the interviewer and increase your chances of landing the job. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips and strategies for answering behavioral interview questions effectively.
Tips for Answering Behavioral Interview Questions:
Be prepared—Do your research on the company and the position you’re interviewing for. This will help you answer questions more intelligently and show that you’re genuinely interested in the job.
Be confident—Believe in yourself and your abilities. Confidence is a trait employers look for in potential candidates.
Be honest—Be honest about your experiences, skills, and abilities. Employers can spot a fake answer easily.
Be specific—Don’t give vague answers. Instead, provide specific examples of your skills and experience.
Be positive—Focus on your strengths and what you can offer the company. Don’t dwell on your weaknesses.
Be enthusiastic—Show the interviewer that you’re excited about the job and the company.
Be professional—Dress appropriately and arrive on time for your interview.
Be polite —Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.
Examples on how to answer specific interview questions:
Why should we hire you?
This is a great opportunity to sell yourself to the interviewer. Be sure to highlight your skills and experience that make you a good fit for the job.
What does an ideal workday look like for you?
This question is designed to get a sense of your work style and preferences. Be honest about what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at.
What tasks do you dislike?
Nobody likes doing every task, but it’s important to be honest about your dislikes. Just be sure to focus on tasks that are not essential to the job.
What is something that people assume about you that is incorrect?
This question is a great way to clear up any misconceptions about you. Be honest about any assumptions that people might have about you, and explain why they’re incorrect.
Why do you want to work with us?
This question is your chance to explain why you’re interested in the company and the position. Be sure to do your research on the company so that you can give a thoughtful answer that highlights why you’re interested in the position.
Answering behavioral interview questions can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can impress the interviewer and increase your chances of getting the job.
Need extra support preparing for the interview process? At Merit America, our job success specialists provide job search support—including resume support and interview prep—for our learners’ once they’ve completed their technical work. Because of this, 84% of Merit America alumni report a positive career outcome after the program. Learn more about our programs HERE!