CCA Skills Series: Day 2 – Behavioural Interview Day
Published by: Advithiya Krishnamurthi
Source: CCA - Fumi in a behavioural interview
Image by Venuki Rajapakse
Congratulations Fumi! With a stellar CV, Fumi has made it to the next stage: Behavioural Interviews. While thrilled, Fumi also feels daunted by the need to showcase strengths and experiences to prospective employers and prove to be the right fit for the job. Although it feels impossible to know what to say or how to answer all the tough questions, the best way to set yourself up well in advance is by researching the company and role, brainstorming initial responses to common interview questions and putting it into practice with some mock interviews.
Here are some tips and extra guidance to help you to ace your interview!
Prior to the interview
—> Understand why you applied
The employer wants to know why you are suitable for the role. Start by reviewing your CV, cover letter and application. Be confident in your skills and experiences, as you will need to refer to them in detail during your interview responses.
—>Prepare your Introduction
The interviewer will want to get an idea of who you are prior to asking interview questions so it would be useful to prepare a brief introduction for yourself about your education and experience. You can add a personal touch such as mentioning a hobby, to show who you are outside of work.
—> Research the Role and Organisation
Identify the relevant skills and attributes required; what soft skills do you possess that align with the role? Also, prepare some questions you want to ask the interviewer.
How to answer Interview questions: STARR Method
Answering interview questions on the spot can be challenging. You might find yourself repeating points, pausing awkwardly or not communicating effectively. A simple method to help structure your responses clearly is using the STARR structure.
Source: OET - Acing your Interview
The STARR structure is a good guide to include your experiences, reflections and the relevant skills you have demonstrated. Following this structure can help you answer more confidently and allows you to methodically think through your response when facing unexpected questions.
Example Behavioural Interview Questions:
—> “How do you manage multiple tasks and responsibilities?”
—> “Describe a situation where you had to solve a difficult problem.”
—> “Give an example of a goal you reached and how you achieved it.”
When answering:
—> Personalise your response - Tailor your answer to reflect your unique experiences.
—> Formulate a balanced response - Explain different aspects before coming to areasonable conclusion.
—> Vary your responses - Avoid sounding too rehearsed, repetitive or monotonous by using the STARR structure as a flexible guide to keep your responses engaging and authentic.
—> Focus on your actions and reflections - Emphasize how you adapted and overcame challenges rather than dwelling on the negatives.
Put it into Practice
The next step is to put it into practice with mock interviews. Practice online or ask a friend or family member to act as an interviewer and ask you some example questions. Analyse your thought process and how you go about answering questions and ask for feedback.
—> Demonstrate active listening - Maintain eye contact, show interest and ask questions.
—> Be confident and humble - While being confident in your skills and experiences, avoid exaggerating.
—> Be honest and genuine - Employers want to know who you are and whether you are a good fit for the organisation, team and role. It is impossible to know everything when starting a new role. Frame it as a learning opportunity, you can convey that you are eager and interested in learning. After all, this is a behavioural interview – they want to know how you deal with challenges.
—> Focus on Skills and Attitude - The purpose of a behavioural interview is to get an idea of who you are, your skills and attitude, and how you conduct yourself in a professional setting
—> Try to minimize filler words and long pauses - Practice will help you answer more confidently.
Source: DDI - Understanding Great Behavioural Interview Questions
On the day
—> Present yourself well in neat, professional attire.
—> Know where to go and plan ahead: address, timings, transport.
—> If the interview is online, check your setup, software, microphone, camera and minimise distractions.
—> Come in early, try not to be in a rush. It gives you time to calm your nerves and get your bearings and shows you are organised.
—> Be polite and make a good first impression - Introduce yourself and get to know your interviewer.
During the interview
Try to:
—> Be specific - Mention specific situations and how you demonstrated specific soft skills like leadership and teamwork.
—> Ask for clarification if you did not quite understand the question.
Things to avoid:
—> Being afraid to pause before answering - Give yourself time to formulate your thoughts into a thoughtful and coherent response
—> Feeling the need to keep talking to take up time or seem like you can speak eloquently- Keep your responses clear and relevant and use specific examples of how you demonstrated skills
Asking questions in the Interview: Do you have any questions for them?
Asking meaningful questions shows your interest in the organisation and the role and that you have done some research or have some prior knowledge. You do not need to wait until the end either, you can ask questions that might arise when the relevant topic comes up. This keeps the conversation interesting rather than just a one-way question and response and demonstrates that you are proactive and an active listener.
—> Take this opportunity to get to know your role better - You could ask about expectations of the role and what projects you would be involved in.
—> Understand more about the team you will be working with or find out a little about what the company culture is like.
—> Clarify what the next steps for the hiring process are.
Following up
—> Politely thank them for their time.
—> Ask about the next steps and how to stay in touch. Consider connecting on LinkedIn and sending a follow up message to build rapport.
—> If you do not hear back after the intended period, do not hesitate to follow up.
Set yourself up to ace your interview by preparing in advance, practice how you will respond and make the most of the opportunity to present yourself and your relevant skills and experiences that make you suitable for the role. All the best!
Find mock interviews, common interview questions and more tips on the
Monash Career Centre - Interview360
This article is published by CCA, a student association affiliated with Monash University. Opinions published are not necessarily those of the publishers. CCA and Monash University do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in the publication.