What is a behavioral based interview? A behavioral based interview is basically an interview designed to gather information that will tell the employer how you will perform on the job. The principle behind this technique is the belief that the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. This interview technique involves asking questions designed to get you to talk about how you handled certain situations in the past.

For example, if a company has a high-stress environment, the interviewer might ask you to talk about whether you have ever been in a stressful situation in the past. If you say yes, the interview will proceed with questions about what you did in the situation, how it made you feel, how others responded to your actions, how you relieved the stress in the situation and so forth.

In most situations the interviewer will have determined several behavioral characteristics that would be important for on-the-job success and will have a definition of each such characteristic.

For example:

Project Management-Taking responsibility for organizing projects, monitoring progress, resolving problems, and reporting on status.

Good Listening- The ability to listen to a client's problems, be empathetic, asking appropriate questions and paraphrasing the responses.

Typically in a behavioral interview you will be provided with the definitions of desired characteristics and asked for examples of situations in which you have exhibited those characteristics. After you have given an example you may be asked for another, in order for the interviewer to test the depth of your experience.

Nonverbal clues also speak loudly. Behavioral interviews are not just about what you say. During the interview, the employer will also observe your behavior and communication skills. The interviewer will note how you maintain eye contact, speak, listen, make use of non-verbal communication and body language, exhibit self-confidence and appear energetic and enthusiastic.

Employers often choose to use behavioral type of interviews because job candidates can't prepare for these questions beforehand. However, you can help yourself by anticipating the types of questions you might be asked and thinking up examples of past behavior. You may be able to think up some possible questions the interviewer might ask by analyzing the job requirements ahead of time.

Behavioral interviews can be difficult, but preparation will help. By preparing for your interview ahead of time you may be seen as better suited than the other candidates who don't anticipate these types of questions.

• Send out your thank-you letters no later than 24 hours after your interview has ended.
• Always keep your audience in mind. Address the issues and the concerns that were mentioned during the interview.
• Use the thank-you letter as a follow-up "sales" letter, in which you restate your reasons for wanting the position and remind the interviewer why you're qualified.
• Mention anything of importance that your interviewer might've neglected to ask in person.
• If you're only writing a few sentences, send a handwritten note. Otherwise, send a typed, formatted letter (see sample letters below).
• Thank everyone who contributed to your job search.
• If you decide after the interview that you don't want the job after all, write a respectful note withdrawing your application.
• Choose your words carefully when using email. Email creates an instant written record, so don't let the speed and the ease of sending it blind you to the fact that you will be judged on what you've said and how you've said it.

Sample Thank You Letter #1

December 1, 2002

Mr. Important Business
Human Resources Manager
XYZ Company
111 Employment Way
Anytown, MN 55555

To Mr. Business:

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the operations manager position with you this morning. Our conversation gave me a better understanding of both XYZ Company and the requirements of the job. The additional information from Max and Kathryn was helpful in gaining a better perspective of the position. I am confident that my strong operations and managerial skills will make a positive contribution to XYZ Company. I am proficient in all the computer software packages you use, and I possess the P&L experience you desire. I enjoyed meeting the office staff and touring the facility. This is clearly a quality organization with an emphasis on efficiency and a dedication to teamwork. I would consider it a privilege to join your team, and I look forward to hearing from you. Again, thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Amy Applicant

Sample Thank You Letter #2

December 1, 2002

Mr. Important Business
Human Resources Manager
XYZ Company
111 Employment Way
Anytown, MN 55555

To Mr. Business:

I would like to thank you for your hospitality during my visit to XYZ Company. I found my discussion with you to be both enlightening and encouraging.
I am confident that I am an excellent candidate for the Quality Assurance Auditor position at XYZ. My diverse accounting background, along with my broad-based experience in the automotive industry, will allow me successfully to make a positive contribution to your team. I am excited about the position, and I look forward to the possibility of working with you and your team if given the opportunity. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you in the near future.

Sincerely,
Alex Applicant

Borrowed from Brilliant People.com site

Do's

• Arrive 15 minutes early. Late attendance is unacceptable.
• Pay attention.
• Clarify questions. Be sure to answer the questions the interviewer really asks. If you don't understand the question, ask the interviewer to rephrase it.
• Speak Clearly.
• Use proper grammar, syntax, and a good vocabulary.
• Logically organize your thoughts and answers.
• Make use of non-verbal communication and body language.
• Exhibit self-confidence.
• Appear energetic and enthusiastic.
• Have the interviewer describe the position and responsibilities to you early in the conversation so you can relate your skills and background to the position throughout the interview.
• Sell your qualifications. Stress the accomplishments that are most relevant to the job.
• Conduct yourself professionally. Be aware of what your body language is saying. Smile, make eye contact. Don't slouch. Maintain composure.
• Anticipate tough questions. Prepare in advance so you can turn apparent weaknesses into strengths.
• Dress appropriately. Make a professional first impression.
• Ask questions throughout the interview. An interview is not a one-sided conversation. You are interviewing the employer as much as they are interviewing you.
• Listen. This is one of the most important abilities. By concentrating not only on the employer's words, but also on the tone of voice and body language, you will pick up on the employer's style. You will understand how the employer thinks and can pattern your answers accordingly. This way you will be able to better relate to him or her.

Don'ts

• Don't answer vague questions. Get the employer to be more specific and then respond.
• Never interrupt the employer. If you don't have time to listen, neither does the employer.
• Don't smoke, chew gum or place anything on the employer's desk.
• Don't be overly familiar, even if the employer is doing all of these things.
• Don't wear heavy perfume or cologne.
• Don't ramble. Long answers often make the speaker sound apologetic or indecisive.
• On the other hand, don't answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no". Explain whenever possible.
• Do not lie. Answer questions as truthfully as possible.
• Do not make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies.
• Don't bring up compensation. Always let the employer bring up money first.

Closing the Interview

Many people second-guess themselves after an interview. By closing strongly and asking the right questions, you can eliminate the post-interview doubts that tend to plague most interviewees.

If you think that the interview went well and you would like to take the next step, be sure and express your interest to the hiring authority. Try something like this:

"After hearing more about your company and the position, I am certain that I have the qualities that you are looking for in the (title) position. Based on our conversation and my qualifications, are there any concerns that you have that would lead you to believe otherwise?"

You have the right to be assertive. You should ask a closing question such as the above because it opens the door for the employer to be honest with you about his or her feelings. If there are concerns, this is a time to overcome them. You have one final chance to dispel the concerns, sell your strengths and end the interview on a positive note.

Some things to remember during the closing process:

• Do not be discouraged if there is not an offer made or specific salary discussed. The interviewer will probably want to talk with the office first or meet with other applicants before making a decision.
• Be sure that you can answer the following questions: "Why are you interested in the company?," and "What can you offer?."
• Thank the employer for his/her time and consideration and shake his/her hand with a firm handshake.
• Ask the employer for a business card so you can write a thank you note as soon as possible.
• Send a handwritten thank you note to the employer within 24 hours after the interview.

Following Up

When you get back in your car, promptly write down key issues uncovered in the interview. Think of the qualifications that the employer is looking for and match your strengths to them. Immediately call your recruiter! Follow-up is critical!

Before you walk into any interview, you should know as much as possible about the company and the position. Your recruiter should be able to provide you with some information. For additional information, search the web or go to the library. In today's world of mass communication, there is no excuse for lack of research.

Questions you should ask at the interview:

• Why is this position available?
• What are your goals for this position?
• What type of training programs will be offered to the person in this position?
• What obstacles must be overcome for the person in this position to succeed?
• How will my performance be evaluated?
• What opportunities are there for growth?
• What growth do you anticipate for the company over the next 12 months?

Think about how you would answer the following questions:

• Tell me about yourself. Keep your answer to the professional realm only. Review your past positions, education and other strengths.
• What do you know about our organization? If you've done your research, you should have no problem with this one. Be positive.
• Why are you interested in this position? Relate how you feel your qualifications match the job requirements and express your desire to work for the company.
• What are the most significant accomplishments in your career thus far? Pick recent accomplishments that relate to this position and its requirements.
• Describe a situation in which your work was criticized. Focus on how you solved the situation and how you became a better person because of it.
• How would you describe your personality?
• How do you perform under pressure?
• What have you done to improve yourself over the past year?
• What did you like least about your last position?
• Why are you considering leaving your current position?
• What is your ideal working environment?
• How would your coworkers describe you?
• What do you think of your boss?
• Have you ever fired anyone? What was the situation and how did you handle it?
• Are you creative?
• What are your career goals?
• Where do you see yourself in two years?
• Why should we hire you?
• What salary are you looking for?
• What other types of jobs/companies are you considering?

Before you walk into any interview, you should know as much as possible about the company and the position. Your recruiter should be able to provide you with some information. For additional information, search the web or go to the library. In today's world of mass communication, there is no excuse for lack of research.

Questions you should ask at the interview:

• Why is this position available?
• What are your goals for this position?
• What type of training programs will be offered to the person in this position?
• What obstacles must be overcome for the person in this position to succeed?
• How will my performance be evaluated?
• What opportunities are there for growth?
• What growth do you anticipate for the company over the next 12 months?

Think about how you would answer the following questions:

• Tell me about yourself. Keep your answer to the professional realm only. Review your past positions, education and other strengths.
• What do you know about our organization? If you've done your research, you should have no problem with this one. Be positive.
• Why are you interested in this position? Relate how you feel your qualifications match the job requirements and express your desire to work for the company.
• What are the most significant accomplishments in your career thus far? Pick recent accomplishments that relate to this position and its requirements.
• Describe a situation in which your work was criticized. Focus on how you solved the situation and how you became a better person because of it.
• How would you describe your personality?
• How do you perform under pressure?
• What have you done to improve yourself over the past year?
• What did you like least about your last position?
• Why are you considering leaving your current position?
• What is your ideal working environment?
• How would your coworkers describe you?
• What do you think of your boss?
• Have you ever fired anyone? What was the situation and how did you handle it?
• Are you creative?
• What are your career goals?
• Where do you see yourself in two years?
• Why should we hire you?
• What salary are you looking for?
• What other types of jobs/companies are you considering?