As the old adage goes, actions speak louder than words. This is why behavioral based interview questions are becoming so popular amongst hiring managers.  Behavioral interviewing is a method used to discover how a candidate acted during specific employment-related situations. The theory behind asking behavioral based interview questions is that the way you behaved in the past can help determine how you will behave in the future by allowing past performance to predict future performance. Consider asking the following behavioral questions to make sure you hire the right candidate:

  • “Provide a specific example of a time you had to begin a task without being asked.” This question can help you determine whether or not the candidate is a self-starter. Listen to learn if the candidate can describe an experience where their initiative made a difference.
  • “Tell me about a time you successfully worked with a difficult coworker.” Everyone has worked with someone difficult at some point, and being able to work effectively in teams is a strong skill. Look for the candidate who can describe a situation where they used teamwork to successfully complete a task or took the time to learn about coworkers’ strengths and weaknesses to get the job done.
  • “Describe a time when you had to juggle several projects at once.” Managing multiple tasks is essential to success in any position. The right candidate should be able to provide examples of how they have effectively managed different projects, tasks, or duties by prioritizing and multitasking.
  • “Give an example of a time when you succeeded at work because of your ability to communicate.” Although a job interview is ultimately your opportunity to witness a candidate’s communication skills firsthand, it is important for a candidate to be able to provide specific examples of their written and verbal communication skills have helped them succeed in the workplace.
  • “Tell me about a time you had to switch from one project to another.” Adaptability is important, especially if you are looking for an employee who will be able to perform duties outside of their usual responsibilities from time to time. Look for the candidate who can describe a time they needed to switch projects and provide examples of how they finished the project successfully.
  • “Describe a situation where you made a significant mistake.” This question will be very difficult for most candidates to answer. The ideal candidate will be able to answer the question truthfully, and then provide examples of what they did to correct their mistake.

When asking behavioral based interview questions, be sure to look for the candidate to explain the situations leading up to the action, the action that was taken, and the results of the action. Asking the right kinds of questions can help reveal much more about the candidate than you may think. Staffers, Inc. is Mississippi’s leading office administrative staffing firm and specializes in helping Jackson area businesses locate and hire top qualified candidates. If you are looking to fill your company’s open positions with the best candidates with proven experience, contact the experts at Staffers, Inc. today!

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