Behavioral Interviewing

Robbyn T. Matthews, M.A. Coordinator for Career Programs Stocker 161 593-2533 matther1@ohio.edu

Topics

What is Behavioral Interviewing (BI)? Why Is BI Used? Specific Behaviors How to Prepare for BI Potential Questions Delivery

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

What is BI?

Also known as competency-based interviews or targeted selection. Focuses on questions that delve into your past behaviors. Candidates develop stories to illustrate that they have the necessary skills for the position and/or employer. http://youtube.com/watch?v=aix6xrNgcI0

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

Why Is BI Used?

Past behavior predicts future success. Used as an indicator of personal attributes and characteristics. Looks at your thought processes and problemsolving skills. Candidates cannot prepare in advance. Less chance of candidate making up answers. Wrong hire costs 1.5 times the salary.
Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

Why Is BI Used?

To determine: Experience Behaviors Potential for success Behavioral interviewing, in fact, is said to be 55 percent predictive of future on-the-job behavior, while traditional interviewing is only 10 percent predictive. --Katharine Hansen, www.quintcareers.com
Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

Specific Behaviors

Also known as characteristics, skills, values, attitudes, competencies, dimensions, success factors, requirements, etc. Behaviors often provides clues regarding corporate culture. Skill sets: Content skillswork-related knowledge Functional/Transferablework with people, information, things Adaptive/Self-Managementpersonal characteristics

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

Top 10 Behaviors

Achievement/Results Orientation Initiative Impact and Influence Customer Service Orientation Interpersonal Understanding

Organizational Awareness Analytical Thinking Conceptual Thinking Information Seeking Integrity

Source: Competency-Based Interviews, (2006), Robin Kessler, p. 42.

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

Preparation for BI

Situation or Task Action You Took Results You Achieved

Describe situationbe specific not general. Provide enough detail for the interviewer to understand.

Describe action you took keep focus on you. Even if discussing a team project, talk about what you did. Describe what happened, how the event ended, what you accomplished, and what you learned.

STAR Interviewing Response Technique, www.quintcareers.com Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

Preparation for BI

Stories may center around these issues: Crisis in your life/job and how you dealt with it. Contributions to a team/how you work in a team. Time when you had a lot of stress. Time when you were a leader. How you overcame a failure.

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

Story Sources

Internship or Co-Op Class Projects Activities Clubs Teams Sports Leadership Experience Travel Experience

Hobbies Volunteering Accomplishments Awards Study Abroad Work Experience (even if not related to your degree)

Quantify if possible numbers are impressive

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

10

Preparation for BI

Go over your rsum and think through 30-90 second stories you could share. Try to have somewhere between 6-10 stories Half that are positive Half that started out negative then turned positive Stories should allow you to stand out so youre remembered. Study job posting carefully and research company to anticipate questions.
Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

11

Preparation for BI

Use different examples for stories. Incorporate different parts of your life. Anticipate lots of probing questions. Keep your rsum updated so you have fresh stories! A portfolio may be helpful.

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

12

Potential Questions

Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated your coping skills. Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem. Explain a time when you had to use presentation skills to influence someones opinion. What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.
Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

13

Potential Questions

Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done. Give me an example of a time when you tried to accomplish something and failed. Give an example of a time when you showed initiative and took the lead. Tell me about a time when you missed an obvious solution to a problem.
Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

14

Potential Questions

Major list on www.emurse.com Excellent list on www.quintcareers.com www.wetfeet.com www.careertv.com www.bestsamplequestions.com www.assessment.com

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

15

Delivery

Interject energy, enthusiasm, and confidence. Remain positive. Ask for feedback after telling the storyis this the type of information they were looking for? Be aware of fillers such as: like, you know, and stuff like that, um, uh, and uh. Pronounce words carefully and completely. Gesture and smile naturallyyoure perceived as being more intelligent if you do.
Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

16

Delivery

Be aware of cultural issues. Verbal and nonverbal must agreeif they dont, the interviewer(s) will believe your nonverbals. You want to come across as assertive, not aggressive. Remember that nonverbal communication includes everything except the words you use.

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

17

We look for communication skills, technical knowledge, passion, and if we want them on our team. -Gary Ahlfeld, Ph.D. Regional Director Human Resources Turner Construction

www.ohio.edu/engineering

Useful Career Web Sites

Monster.comgood advice, sign-up for their career newsletter Jobweb.comfrom NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) careerjournal.comfrom Wall Street Journal Wetfeet.com Careerbuilder.com

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

19

Sources

Competency-Based Behavioral Interviewing, Peggy Simonsen and Tom Smith, www.careertrainer.com, accessed 12-5-07. Behavioral Interviewing Helps Employers Staff Up Their Office, www.beyond.com, accessed 12-5-07.

Prepare for Your Behavioral Interview, www.wetfeet.com, accessed 12-5-07. Free Sample Behavioral Interview Questions, www.quintcareers.com, accessed 12-4-07. Behavioral Interviews: A Great Showcase for You, but You Must Prepare Now, Joe Turner, www.quintcareers.com, accessed 12-4-07.
Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

20

Sources

Behavioral Interviewing Story, www.quintcareers.com, accessed 12-4-07. STAR Interviewing Response Technique for Success in Behavioral Job Interviews, www.quintcareers.com, accessed 12-4-07. Competency-Based Interviews, Robin Kessler, 2006, Career Press: Franklin Lakes, NJ. When an Interviewer Says: Tell Me About a Time When You, Arlene S. Hirsch, www.careerjournal.com, accessed 12-5-07. Behavioral Interviewing Strategies for Job Seekers, Katharine Hansen, www.quintcareers.com, accessed 12-407.

Ohio University - Avionics Engineering Center

21