Tough Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers

Introduction

• Behavioral interview questions are some of the toughest.
• Examples include:
  • Criticism: "Tell me about a time when you received criticism that you thought was unfair."
  • Mistake: "Tell me about a time when you made a mistake."
  • Teamwork: "Tell me about a time when you worked in a team."
• Goal: Help you be the standout candidate in your job interview.

Topics Covered

1. List of tough behavioral interview questions to prepare for.
2. Example scripted answers to these questions.
3. Perfect structure for answering behavioral interview questions.
4. Access to downloadable resources including the answers.

Answering Behavioral Interview Questions

• Use the STAR Technique: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
• STAR Format:
  1. Situation: Describe the context.
  2. Task: Explain the task you had to complete.
  3. Action: Detail the specific actions you took.
  4. Result: Conclude with the outcome of your actions.

Example Questions and Answers

1. Criticism

• Question: Tell me about a time when you received criticism that you thought was unfair.
• Tip: Show you are mature and willing to take on feedback.
• Answer:
  • Situation: Manager criticized my call handling time.
  • Task: Take on board feedback to improve.
  • Action: Explained intentions but understood need for speed.
  • Result: Improved call handling rates and assisted more customers.

2. Doing Something Differently

• Question: Tell me about a time when you had to do something differently and what was the outcome?
• Tip: Show adaptability and successful problem-solving.
• Answer:
  • Situation: Important team member fell ill during a project.
  • Task: Complete the project on time.
  • Action: Hired a remote graphic designer.
  • Result: Successfully completed the project on time.

3. Teamwork

• Question: Tell me about a time when you worked in a team.
• Tip: Show you understand the importance of collaboration.
• Answer:
  • Situation: Team tasked with promoting a new product.
  • Task: Brainstorm innovative ideas.
  • Action: Held a team meeting to brainstorm.
  • Result: Generated five outstanding ideas, including social media campaigns.

4. Making a Mistake

• Question: Tell me about a time when you made a mistake.
• Tip: Take ownership of mistakes and show improvement.
• Answer:
  • Situation: Took on too many tasks in eagerness to impress.
  • Task: Meet deadlines despite workload.
  • Action: Apologized and created a priority list.
  • Result: Successfully managed tasks and improved time management.

5. Multitasking

• Question: Tell me about a time when you multitasked.
• Tip: Prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Answer:
  • Situation: Volunteered to cover for a sick co-worker.
  • Task: Complete my own and colleague's work.
  • Action: Prioritized tasks, researched unknown tasks.
  • Result: Successfully completed all tasks to standard.

6. Deadline Failure

• Question: Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline.
• Tip: Explain improvement after the failure.
• Answer:
  • Situation: Team project with tight deadline and staff illness.
  • Task: Complete the project on time.
  • Action: Outsourced tasks but missed the deadline by 24 hours.
  • Result: Implemented contingency plans for future projects.

Additional Resources

• Download full set of 27 behavioral interview questions and answers from passmyinterview.com.

Conclusion

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• Best wishes for passing your interview.