First of all,the first thing you should do when answering behavioral interview questions is to use the STAR technique. What do I mean by that? Well, it's really simple. All you need to do when you structure your answers to these kind of interview questions is format them in this order. You tell the interview panel what the situation was that you were in. So say, "The situation that I was in was X, Y, and Z." Then you move on and you tell them the task that needed to be done. "So I was in this situation and this is what I needed to do." Then you tell them what you actually did, so what action you took. And then you tell them the results following your actions, so it's situation, task, action, result. And if you follow this process when answering these situational/behavioral-type interview questions, it will make sure that you give them a specific answer. And this is important.
When you are responding to these kind of interview questions, you have to tell them what you did in a previous situation, not what you would do if this situation happened. And all of these responses, use the situation, task, action, and result process.
Let's move to question number 1: Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it. While answering this question,make the achievement relevant to the goals or targets of a company. Don't say, "Oh, it was a personal goal. I wanted to improve my fitness." That's no good. You need to give them a company-specific goal. Tip number 2, demonstrate how you deliberately planned to achieve the goal. I'll explain what I mean by that. But if you say, "Well, you know, I planned to achieve this goal," then you're more likely to achieve it. And employers , I love it when people say, "Well, this is how it went about, the process, so I knew I wouldn't fail." Tip number 3, show your ability to use your initiative. Having your initiative or using initiative as an employee is one of the greatest skills you can have. Here's my answer to the interview question: Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it. "One particular time comes to mind when I achieved something I am proud of. The business I was working for had set difficult customer service satisfaction targets for all members of staff to achieve. Most people in the team seemed pessimistic about being able to achieve the targets, but I set out to surpass them in the fastest time possible. To achieve my goal, I created a plan of action. After I had dealt with every customer, I asked them three simple questions about the service I had just provided them with, and in their opinion, how it could be improved. I then used the information the customers provided me with to continually improve the service I was offering. After four weeks, I had surpassed my targets and my manager was very happy with my performance."
Question number 2: Describe a stressful work situation you were in and how you handled it. Okay, couple of tips, always remain calm whilst under pressure and focus on the job in hand. So you have to demonstrate in this response that you're able to remain calm whilst under pressure. Tip number 2, have some kind of time factor to the situation or some other form of external pressure when answering the question. And tip 3, show how you worked hard to overcome the stressful situation. Here's a great answer to this interview question. "Recently, an important member of staff was unfortunately taken ill when we were halfway through trying to complete a difficult and stressful project for a client This was particularly stressful because the person who was off work sick had the knowledge and expertise to help us finish the project on time. I decided to volunteer to take on his responsibilities. And so I set about learning his role in the fastest time possible. Now although it was stressful, I remained calm, worked longer hours, and didn't stop working until I managed to replicate his responsibilities and role. I am pleased to say we all managed to complete the project on time for our client. I believe I am a highly effective worker when put under pressure and will do all I can to help out my organization and the team I am working for." Now that kind of situation can be applied to any kind of work-related role where you are under pressure.
Question number 3: Describe a time when you delivered excellent customer care or customer service. Now, when responding to this question, show you can deliver outstanding customer service. And to do that, show how you went above and beyond what is the norm. Tip number 3, explain how the customer was satisfied with the service you offered, so you tell the interview panel how you delivered this outstanding customer service, and I'll give you an example in a second, explain how you went above and beyond the norm, and then explain how the customer was happy. So here's my response to this interview question. "A customer recently telephoned the office to ask if we have a specific product in stock, which we did. They needed the product in super-fast time because their Grandma's birthday was in two days' time. Now, unfortunately, the courier we usually used to deliver priority packages was unavailable. However, because I felt it was important to try and meet the needs of the customer, I informed them that I would spend some time seeking an alternative courier company to get the package to their Grandma in time for their birthday. I spent 30 minutes calling around various courier companies until I found one who would do the job for me. I then called the customer back and informed them we would pay for the extra delivery costs as a gesture of goodwill to save time and inconvenience. The customer was overjoyed and they ended up leaving our business a positive review on Trust pilot following their experience with us." Great response to that interview question.
Let's move on to question number 4: Give an example of when you have worked with other people to complete a difficult task. Now this question is very common, is based around team working. So in your response, demonstrate you are a team-worker who actually likes to work with other people. Tip number 2, add pressure to the situation you were in, some kind of time element would be good. Tip number 3, demonstrate that you volunteered to do something that helps out the team. So you were the one who said, "I will go and do X, Y, and Z to help out the team." So here's my answer "I love working as part of a team and I can recall a recent situation when we all came together in the office to complete a difficult task. One day, the internet went down and we were unable to access the computers to deal with customer queries and also complete and fulfill the customer orders from the previous day. I volunteered to go home in my car to access the internet so I could print off the customer orders and then bring them back to the office. We could all then work together as a team to make them up and get them dispatched in time for when the postal van arrived at the end of the day. Another member of the team used his smartphone to access and answer the customer emails to make sure they didn't get missed and our customers didn't experience a drop in service. Now, despite the difficulties of the internet going down, we all worked together as part of a team to maintain a smooth operation for our company.Another great answer.
Number 5: Give an example when you disagreed with a decision your manager made and how you handled it. Oh, this is a tough one. Here are some tips. This is your opportunity to show your maturity and your respect for your manager. Give an example where you disagreed and you constructively explained to the manager why you disagreed. Tip number 3, tell them you would never be disrespectful to a manager and you would always go along with their decision. But what they're looking for here is that you have the confidence to say that you don't agree with something because we don't want someone working for us who is just someone who goes, "Yes, I'll do that. Yes, I'll do that. Yes, I'll do that." It's important to disagree constructively but also have respect. So here's my sample answer to help you prepare for your interview. "To be honest, I have a great manager and it is rare that I disagree with him. However, during a recent meeting, my manager put forward a new proposal and a change to our working practices. Now after careful consideration, I did not agree with the proposals and so I approached my manager in private to explain my views constructively on why I felt they might not work. He didn't agree with my thoughts but I thanked him anyway for listening to them, and I then got on positively with the new way of working. Now what actually transpired that my manager was right, and I was the one in the wrong. His new way of working was positive and things are much improved now that we have all had time to adapt. Now although I was wrong, I feel it is important to say if you disagree with something as the organization can only benefit from diverse opinions and experiences. Now even though I didn't agree at the time with my manager, I would always respect his decisions and work hard to achieve the company mission and goals."
Question number 6: Give an example of when you've met a tight deadline. A real common behavioral interview question. Tip number 1, give a situation where the deadline is very tight. Now within your answer to this question, show you can work fast but also accurately and explain how you actually enjoy working under pressure because as employers, we all want people, staff, who can enjoy working under pressure and they don't mind it. Here's my answer for you. "It was only last week I met a very tight deadline for my employer. It was late on a Tuesday afternoon and an important customer order came through that needed to be fulfilled before close at 5:00 p.m. I volunteered to complete the order and told my manager I would stay behind late if needed. I quickly printed up the order sheet which consisted of 18 items and meticulously packaged them up as fast as possible. I double-checked my work as I progressed with the task as I knew it was important not to make any mistakes. Thankfully, through accurate and fast working, I managed to get the job done before the 5:00 p.m. deadline I actually enjoy working to tight deadlines and enjoy the feeling of satisfaction I get when the job is completed on time and to a high standard."
Question number 7: Have you ever gone above and beyond the call of duty? If so, what happened? Now, in this response, tip number 1, be the one to volunteer in this type of situation. Stick your hand up and you say, "Yeah, I will go above and beyond duty." Help someone out in the organization to make their life better. And tip number 3, show you are a caring and conscientious person because all employers want employees who are caring and conscientious. Here's my answer for you. "A disabled member of staff started working for us and I noticed they were given a desk which was located quite a distance from the toilet and the kitchen facilities. Now whilst I am sure they were happy with the desk they'd been allocated with, I felt I could improve their working day by offering to swap my desk with theirs. My desk was situated adjacent to the kitchen and bathroom facilities so it made sense to switch locations. I introduced myself to the new member of the team and offered to swap desks. They immediately accepted my offer and thanked me for being considerate. Now although it was only a small gesture, I felt I was improving their working day and it also gave me the opportunity to introduce myself to them and make them feel welcomed within the office and organization." A great answer.
Finally, question number 8:Give an example of when you didn't meet a goal and how you handled it Okay, tip number 1, make sure you do actually give an example of where you didn't meet a goal. Explain what you learned from the situation and the experience, that's really important. And then tell the interview panel what is now different for you following this experience. Here's my answer. "When I first started working for my previous employer, I set myself a difficult task that was based around learning a new skill I promised my manager that I would be able to apply the new skill at work within eight weeks. Now, however, it soon became apparent that I wasn't going to be able to do the work needed within the time frame. I had underestimated the time needed to complete the training to a high standard and I felt bad that I had let down my manager. I apologized for the misinformation and assured him it wouldn't happen again. I learned a lot from this experience and now I always meticulously plan any goal to make sure I meet the deadline for achievement. Whilst I rarely make mistakes, if I do, I would always look to learn from them and improve for next time to the benefit of my employer." A great answer to that question.
Hope you enjoyed it.For more quality content as this,subscribe to our newsletter and do us a favor by sharing.Thanks for reading.
You might want to read
How Would You Describe Yourself Interview Question And Answers
Comments
Post a Comment