Behavioral interview questions are a type of interview question that asks the candidate to provide specific examples of how they have handled certain situations in the past. These types of questions are designed to help the interviewer understand how the candidate thinks, reacts, and behaves in different situations, and how they would handle similar situations in the future. Examples of behavioral interview questions include: “Can you give an example of a time when you had to handle a difficult customer?”, and “Can you tell me about a time when you had to work with a team to solve a problem?”, and “Can you describe a situation in which you had to make a difficult decision?”
- Describe a situation in which you had to use conflict-resolution skills.
- How do you maintain a positive attitude when faced with an obstacle or challenge?
- Share a difficult customer service situation you faced and how you handled it.
- Tell me about a time when you had to work with a team to achieve a goal.
- What do you do when you have to manage multiple projects at once?
- Tell me about a time when you had to disagree with a coworker over a project.
- What do you do when your ideas are challenged by someone else?
- Describe a time when you had to stay calm under pressure.
- Share a situation when you had to be creative in achieving a goal.
- Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make and how you handled it.
Please note, that the answer structures are for your reference only. Behavioral answers depend on the situation given to you. These might not be identical to the situation.
Describe a situation in which you had to use conflict-resolution skills.
I once had a conflict resolution situation with a colleague at work where we had different opinions about a project we were working on that we couldn’t agree on. After much discussion and heated debates, I was able to find a solution that satisfied both our needs and interests. I used active listening, open dialogue, and understanding to come to a compromise that we could both be happy with. Taking the time to find out our commonalities and having the willingness to respect each and everyone’s opinions allowed us to come to an agreement that worked for us both.
How do you maintain a positive attitude when faced with an obstacle or challenge?
I like to focus on the positive and think of creative solutions. When faced with an obstacle or challenge, I try to stay calm and think things through logically and objectively. I remind myself that every challenge is an opportunity to grow and strengthen my skills and resilience. Additionally, I try to look at the bigger picture and remember that the situation is not permanent and I will bounce back.
Share a difficult customer service situation you faced and how you handled it.
I recently faced a difficult customer service situation when a customer called our office with an urgent problem. The customer had purchased a service from our company but was dissatisfied with the results. As the customer service rep for this situation, I had to manage an already frustrated customer.
I calmly explained to the customer and offered a few suggestions to help rectify the issue. I then apologized for the inconvenience they experienced and reassured them of our commitment to customer satisfaction. I also offered to expedite the process to ensure the customer got the outcome they desired. Ultimately, the customer was happy with the resolution and reassured of our commitment to customer service.
Tell me about a time when you had to work with a team to achieve a goal.
At my last job, I had to work with a team of fifteen people to launch a new product in the international market. It was challenging but gratifying. We all connected online and took part in regular team meetings to discuss the project’s progress and come up with ideas. We also had daily briefings to ensure everyone was updated on their individual tasks. Everyone took ownership of the project and worked hard together. In the end, the product successfully launched in time and was well-received by our customers. It was an amazing experience to see a project that started with a collective effort end with success.
What do you do when you have to manage multiple projects at once?
- Prioritize projects: Assign priority levels to each project, and then focus on completing the most important projects first.
- Make a schedule: Make a clear timeline and develop a plan for working on each project, outlining milestones and goals to keep you on track.
- Use a project management tool: Utilize a project management tool such as Trello, Asana, or Microsoft Planner to keep track of multiple projects, deadlines, and tasks.
- Take breaks: Take regular breaks to ensure that you have time to rest and refresh your mind, as well as check on any changes that may have occurred on a project while you were away.
- Delegate tasks: Delegate tasks to other team members or colleagues to free up your time and increase productivity.
- Manage resources and time: Develop an efficient system to manage resources, track timelines, and set deadlines.
Tell me about a time when you had to disagree with a coworker over a project.
When I was working on a project for _______________, I had to disagree with a coworker ____________of the project. We were both passionate about the project but had very different ideas about how to approach it. After some back and forth, I respectfully asked to put all of our ideas on the table and go through them one by one. We ended up revising our original plans and using a combination of both of our ideas, which turned out to be successful. In the end, my coworker specifically thanked me for putting all the ideas on the table and sticking to what I believed was best for the project.
What do you do when your ideas are challenged by someone else?
When my ideas are challenged by someone else, the first thing I do is take a step back and listen to the other person’s perspective. I try to remain respectful and open-minded and take into consideration any additional information or points of view they may have. I also ask questions to clarify any misunderstandings, in order to come to a mutual agreement or understanding between both of us.
Describe a time when you had to stay calm under pressure.
I was working at __________r and I received a call from ___________. He was panicking and sounding frantic because _____________. As the first responder, I had to stay calm and composed. I immediately started to assess the situation, asked specific questions, and reassured the that I was there to help. I quickly gathered his information. My composure and ability to remain calm under pressure enabled to complete the task.
Share a situation when you had to be creative in achieving a goal.
When I was working as an _____________for a large company, I helped organize a _______________. I had to come up with a creative way to _____________. My solution was to introduce a points-based reward system. This creative solution was a success and ultimately led to increased ______________.
Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make and how you handled it.
A couple of years ago, I had to decide whether I should stay at my current job or take a job offer from a different company. This was a difficult decision to make because taking the other job would significantly increase my salary, but at the same time, I had become quite comfortable in my current role and the people I worked with. I weighed out the pros and cons of both options and discussed the matter with trusted family and friends. Ultimately, I decided to stay at my current job – I didn’t want to make a hasty decision and regret it later. I accepted the pay raise and potential new opportunities available in my current role and I’m glad that I made that decision.
