A Behavioural Interview gives the interviewer an idea of how a candidate might act in the future based on their past experiences.
The examples listed below focus on specific skills to be evaluated. They can be changed based on the responses and how you want to assess the candidates.
Question 1: Tell me about a time when you faced an unexpected challenge at work. How did you handle it?
To Assess: Problem-solving and adaptability.
Sample Answer: “During a project launch, our primary supplier backed out at the last minute. I immediately coordinated with the team to identify alternative suppliers, reached out to contacts in the industry, and negotiated expedited delivery terms. This ensured minimal disruption, and we launched successfully on schedule.”
Question 2: Can you describe a situation where you had to lead a team through a difficult task?
To Assess: Leadership and team management.
Sample Answer: “In my previous role, I led a team tasked with reducing customer complaint response time by 30%. I implemented daily stand-ups, assigned clear roles, and set achievable weekly goals. By the end of the quarter, we exceeded the target with a 35% reduction in response time.”
Question 3: Tell me about a time you disagreed with a coworker. How did you resolve it?
To Assess: Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.
Sample Answer: “I once disagreed with a colleague on the timeline for a project. I suggested we review the task dependencies together. This helped us identify a more realistic schedule that satisfied both perspectives. The open dialogue strengthened our working relationship.”
Question 4: Give an example of a time you had to manage multiple priorities. How did you handle it?
To Assess: Time management and prioritization.
Sample Answer: “During the year-end reporting period, I managed three high-priority projects simultaneously. I created a detailed timeline, delegated tasks, and scheduled regular check-ins. This approach helped me complete all projects on time without compromising quality.”
Question 5: Can you share an example of how you turned a dissatisfied customer into a satisfied one?
To Assess: Customer service and empathy.
Sample Answer: “A customer was upset about a delayed order. I listened to their concerns, apologized, and offered expedited shipping for the replacement along with a discount. The customer appreciated the quick resolution and continued their business with us.”
Question 6: Describe a time when you proposed a new idea or process that improved efficiency or productivity.
To Assess: Innovation and strategic thinking.
Sample Answer: “In my last job, I noticed that repetitive data entry was slowing down productivity. I suggested automating the process using available software. After implementation, the team saved 15 hours per week, which we redirected to higher-value tasks.”
Question 7: Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a goal. What did you learn from the experience?
To Assess: Resilience and growth mindset.
Sample Answer: “I once underestimated the time required for a market analysis and missed the deadline. I learned to set more realistic timelines by consulting stakeholders upfront. Since then, I’ve successfully delivered projects by building in extra time for unforeseen challenges.”
Question 8: Share an experience where you worked with a diverse team to achieve a common goal.
To Assess: Teamwork and collaboration.
Sample Answer: “In a cross-functional project, I collaborated with marketing, sales, and IT teams to launch a product. We scheduled regular meetings to ensure alignment and use each team’s strengths. The product launched ahead of schedule and exceeded sales targets by 20%.”
Question 9: Can you give an example of when you took the initiative without being asked?
To Assess: Proactivity and ownership.
Sample Answer: “When I noticed a recurring error in our invoicing system, I took the initiative to analyze the issue and proposed a solution to my manager. After approval, I implemented the fix, reducing errors by 40%.”
Question 10: Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make. How did you arrive at your decision?
To Assess: Decision-making and analytical thinking.
Sample Answer: “I had to decide whether to allocate a limited budget to product development or marketing. I analyzed market data and customer feedback, which showed higher demand for new features. I prioritized product development, which led to a 15% increase in customer retention.”
