Behavioural interview questions predict your future
behaviour by examining past and present behaviours in
similar situations. Since being introduced in the 1980s by
an industrial psychologist named Dr Tom Janz, one in three
recruiters make use of behavioural interview questions.
This article shares simple yet powerful steps through which
people seeking to make career changes can answer
behavioural interview questions successfully.
1. Define Career Goals - It is crucial to first of all
define what you want to achieve from the behavioural
interview. Are you aiming for an average performance or do
you dare to be outstanding? Are you seeking valuable
interview experience or are you prepared to make serious
career changes? Does the role fit in nicely with your long
term career goals or will it merely be a stopgap? Before
commencing interview preparations, take time to identify
and define your career objectives.
2. Snoop Around - Interviewers are searching for multi
talented individuals with behaviours and skills that will
add real value to their organisations. They provide ample
clues via job adverts and provide information on demand
through special career advisors. Before the behavioural
interview, arrange to spend some time at the recruiting
department so you can get a feel of the new role. Find out
more about the company by visiting its website, speaking to
its staff, reading press articles and asking people for
helpful information.
3. Master the Ad - Observe the language style of job ads. A
breezy style suggests that the company is informal in its
approach and a serious tone is typical of conservative
firms. Read the ad at least five times then grab a pen and
map out three sections on blank paper. In the first
section, write down all the skills and talents required for
the job, in the second section write the behaviours
required of you (e.g. career minded, self starter, team
player etc) and in the third section list the company's
ethics.
4. Play Pretend - You will fare well with behavioural
interview questions if you can first put yourself in the
prospective interviewer's position. Imagine for a second
that you are the person conducting the behavioural
interview. Would you hire yourself? What kind of individual
would you be on the lookout for? What sort of talents and
behaviours would you find indispensable? Write down your
thoughts and ideas on a separate sheet of paper and
incorporate these perspectives into your interview
preparation.
5. Dig Deep - Before attending your behavioural interview,
take time to find hidden talents and discover your purpose
in life. Employers love behavioural questions because they
reveal talents and behaviours that interviewees may not
even be aware of. E.g. By narrating how you managed
difficult co-workers, you are indirectly demonstrating
excellent people skills. However, interviewees who know
themselves to be talented people managers will prepare case
studies that showcase their people management skills to
maximum advantage. Greater self awareness also enhances
confidence.
6. Use the Clues - Return to the lists of talents and
behaviours that are crucial to the job role and ask
yourself how many you possess. Reflect on your career
history, paying mind to the ways you have demonstrated
these talents and behaviours in the past. E.g. if <i>
adaptability </i> is one of the desirable behaviours, ask
yourself when you have had to adjust to changes over which
you had no control. Repeatedly practice likely questions
based on the talents and behaviours you extracted from the
job ad.
Behavioural interviews are not difficult for those who have
taken the time to find hidden talents and discover their
life's purpose. By passionately communicating how your
talents, behaviours and long term goals benefit your
prospective employer, you can put yourself miles ahead of
your competitors and make the career changes you desire.
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Ogo Ogbata is the founder of leading lifestyle and career
design website CreativityandSense.Com. She helps
individuals and businesses to discover, develop and
maximise hidden assets. Would you like to get more
fulfilment and profit out of the work you do? Then visit
http://www.creativityandsense.com for tips and strategies
guaranteed to help you create lasting lifestyle and career
changes.
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