The Top 15 Behavioural Interview Questions To Prep For

Maybe you have already heard about those scenario-based questions in a job interview that start with, "Tell me about a time when..." So these are known as 'behavioural interview questions'. And they're a big deal to employers and HR managers. It helps them look into your past experiences and see how you've handled some situations related to the job. It's not just about telling what you did. Instead, it's about explaining how you did it. 

Sounds a bit challenging to do that when you don't have much work experience yet? Don't sweat it; it's actually quite simple to illustrate such situations on your student's journey, too. We'll show you how. In this article, we’ve rounded up common behavioural interview questions together with recommendations on how to respond.

How to Answer Behavioural Interview Questions: The STAR Method

To answer behavioural interview questions the right way, you can use the STAR method — which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Here's how it goes:

1. Situation: Start by painting a clear picture of the whole situation.
2. Task: Then, explain the challenge or responsibility you faced.
3. Action: Follow up by saying what actions you took to tackle the task or challenge.
4. Result: Conclude by sharing how things turned out after your actions — focus on the positive impacts.

This method helps you present answers that are clear and concise while also showing your skills and abilities. Let's now see some top behavioural interview questions and how it's done in practice.

15 Most Common Behavioural Interview Questions

The behavioural interview questions delve into your past experiences, seeking concrete examples to understand your problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and overall suitability for the position. These are among the most asked behavioural questions at job interviews:

1. Can you describe a situation where you had to solve a difficult problem?

Employers ask this behavioural interview question to assess your problem-solving skills and creativity. They want to see if you can think on your feet and come up with good solutions. Here, you could talk about a challenging assignment, a problem in a team project, or a difficult situation in a part-time job or internship.

Example answer: "During my final year project, our team faced a significant challenge with data collection. The traditional methods we were using were not yielding the results we needed. I suggested we try online surveys and social media polls to reach a wider audience. After explaining the benefits and efficiency of these methods, the team agreed. As a result, we collected the necessary data and completed the project successfully, earning an A grade."

2. Tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure.

This behavioural interview question helps employers understand your stress management skills. They want to know if you can maintain your performance under pressure. You could discuss a time when you had to meet a tight deadline, handle a high workload, or deal with a difficult customer in your part-time job.

Example answer: "In my part-time job at a local cafe, we were often understaffed during peak hours. One particular Saturday, two colleagues called in sick, leaving just me and one other staff member to handle the lunch rush. I learned to remain calm, prioritize tasks, and provide excellent customer service despite the pressure. We managed to serve all customers without significant delays."

3. Can you give an example of a goal you reached and how you achieved it?

Employers want to know if you're goal-oriented and how you plan to achieve your objectives. They're interested in your planning and commitment. To answer this behavioural interview question, you could talk about an academic goal, a personal development goal, or a goal related to an extracurricular activity.

Example answer: "I aimed to improve my GPA by one point in my final semester, as I knew this would make my resume more attractive to potential employers. I created a detailed study schedule, sought help from professors for subjects I was struggling with, and dedicated extra hours each week to revision. My hard work paid off when I achieved my goal, improving my GPA from 3.2 to 4.2."

4. Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult decision.

This behavioural interview question assesses your decision-making skills and ethical standards. Employers want to see if you can make tough decisions and take responsibility for them. You could discuss a time when you had to choose between two equally appealing internship offers, or when you had to address a problem with a team member during a group project.

Example answer: "During a group project, a team member was consistently missing deadlines, which was affecting our progress. After discussing the issue with the team, I decided to bring it up with our professor. It was a difficult decision as the team member was a friend. However, the project's success was important. The professor intervened, and the member was replaced. The project was completed on time and received a high grade."

5. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult team member.

This behavioural interview question helps employers understand your interpersonal skills and conflict-resolution abilities. They want to know if you can work effectively with different personalities and handle conflicts professionally. You can talk about a challenging group project, a difficult teammate in a sports team, or a problematic colleague in a part-time job.

Example answer: "In a group assignment, one member was not contributing equally. I decided to address the issue directly and diplomatically. I arranged a private meeting with the team member and explained the team's concerns. I suggested ways they could contribute more, such as taking on a specific part of the project. This led to improved team dynamics and a successful project."

6. Can you describe a situation where you showed initiative?

Employers want to know if you're proactive and can take charge when necessary. You could discuss a time when you proposed a new idea for a project, took the lead in a group assignment, or implemented a new process in a part-time job.

Example answer: "In my internship at a marketing firm, I noticed a recurring issue with the filing system. Documents were often misplaced, causing delays in retrieving important information. I proposed a new categorization method, which involved digitizing the files and organizing them in a shared online drive. I presented a detailed plan to my manager, who approved it. I then took the initiative to implement the new system, which resulted in a reduction in retrieval time."

7. Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a significant change at work or school.

This behavioural interview question assesses your adaptability and resilience. Employers want to know if you can adjust to changes and maintain your performance. You could talk about a time when your course switched to online learning, when you had to adapt to a new role in a part-time job, or when you had to adjust your study schedule.

Example answer: "When my university switched to online classes due to the pandemic, it was a significant adjustment. I was used to in-person lectures and discussions. However, I quickly adapted by creating a dedicated study space at home, maintaining a regular study schedule, and actively participating in online discussions."

8. Can you give an example of how you handled feedback?

Employers want to know if you're open to feedback and can use it for improvement. To answer this behavioural interview question, you could discuss a time when you received feedback from a professor, a manager in a part-time job, or a coach in a sports team.

Example answer: "My thesis advisor suggested I improve my time management skills. I took this feedback positively, attended a school workshop on time management, and saw a significant improvement in my productivity when writing my thesis."

9. Describe a situation where you had to juggle multiple responsibilities.

This behavioural interview question helps employers understand your organisational and multitasking skills. You could talk about a time when you had to balance your studies with a part-time job or when you had to manage multiple assignments and extracurricular activities.

Example answer: "During my final year at university, I was juggling my dissertation, part-time job, and volunteering at a local charity. I managed this by prioritizing tasks based on deadlines and importance. I used a planner to keep track of all my responsibilities and deadlines."

10. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project or assignment.

Employers want to know if you're willing to put in extra effort when necessary. They're interested in your dedication and commitment to excellence. You could discuss a time when you did extra research for a project, put in additional hours to perfect a task in a part-time job, or took on additional responsibilities in a group assignment.

Example answer: "For a marketing project in my final year, I decided to conduct additional market research to provide more depth to our strategy. I surveyed consumers, analyzed competitors, and studied market trends. This extra effort enhanced our project, and our professor appreciated the extra effort and it positively impacted our grade."

11. Can you describe a situation where you had to persuade someone to see things your way?

This behavioural interview question assesses your persuasion and negotiation skills. You could talk about a time when you had to persuade your team to adopt your idea for a project or when you had to convince a customer in a part-time job.

Example answer: "In a group project, I had a unique idea for the project theme. However, my team was initially hesitant. I decided to present my arguments clearly, showing them how this theme could make our project stand out. I also explained how we could execute the idea effectively. After a detailed discussion, the team was persuaded and we adopted my idea. The project was a success and our unique approach was appreciated by our professor."

12. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake. How did you handle it?

Employers want to know if you can take responsibility for your mistakes and learn from them. You could discuss a time when you made a mistake in a project, in a part-time job, or during a sports game.

Example answer: "I once missed a crucial deadline for a project submission. I apologized to my professor, submitted the project with a late penalty, and learned to double-check all deadlines in the future."

13. Can you give an example of how you set a goal and achieved it?

This question helps employers understand your goal-setting process. They're interested in your ability to set realistic goals and devise a plan to achieve them. You could talk about an academic goal, a fitness goal, or a goal related to personal development.

Example answer: "I set a goal to learn Python during my summer break. I followed an online course and dedicated two hours each day to practice. By the end of the summer, I had a good grasp of the language."

14. Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with a difficult colleague.

This behavioural interview question assesses your teamwork and problem solving skills. Employers want to know if you can work effectively with different personalities and handle conflicts professionally. You could talk about a problematic colleague in a part-time job or a difficult teammate in a sports team.

Example answer: "In my part-time job, a colleague was often negative and uncooperative. Instead of avoiding the colleague, I decided to address the issue. I focused on positive communication and finding common ground on work-related issues. I also suggested we both share our concerns and expectations. This approach improved our working relationship and made the work environment more pleasant."

15. Tell me about a time when you had to handle a challenging situation.

Employers want to know if you can handle adversity and learn from it. You could discuss a time when you faced a challenging situation in a project, during a part-time internship, or in an extracurricular activity.

Example answer: "During my internship, I was assigned a project that was beyond my current skills. Instead of giving up, I took it as a learning opportunity. I sought help from my supervisor and spent extra hours learning the necessary skills. I also sought feedback regularly to ensure I was on the right track. Despite the initial challenges, I successfully completed the project and received positive feedback from my supervisor."

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering Behavioural Interview Questions

• Avoid being vague or irrelevant. Stick to the STAR method and provide specific examples just like the ones we showed you. 
• Don't blame others or make excuses for your actions. Instead, focus on what you learned from the experience and how it helped you grow.
• Avoid over-exaggerating accomplishments and tick to the facts and be honest about your contributions.
• Demonstrate self-awareness by reflecting on past actions and their impact, showing maturity and the ability to learn from mistakes.
• While it's important to follow the STAR method, avoid sounding overly rehearsed. Maintain authenticity and adaptability in your responses.

Preparing for behaviour-based interview questions, but even for all potential job interview questions, is a crucial part of your job interview preparation. By understanding these questions and practising your answers, you can remain calm and go to your job interview with confidence. Good luck!