Sample Behavioral Interview Questions

Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to convince someone.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Discuss an important written document you were required to complete.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Give a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Give a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Give an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish failed.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Give an example of a time when you had to make a split second decision.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Give an example of a time when you motivated others.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Give an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Give an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to solve a problem.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Give an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Tell about a difficult decision you've made in the last year.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Tell about a recent situation in which you had to deal with a very upset person or co-worker.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Tell about a time when you delegated a project effectively.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Tell about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Tell about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone's opinion.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Tell about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to prioritize your tasks.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Tell about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Tell about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Tell about a time you had to fire a friend.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

Tell about a time you had to successfully deal with a person who may not have liked you (or vice versa).

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?

What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give an example.

(Situation or Task) - Describe the situation. Give enough detail. (Action you took) - Describe your action. Keep the focus on you. (Results) - What happened? What did you accomplish?