Behavioral Interview
Questions & Sample Answers

Problem solving is a frequently required workplace competency whether the employer is exploring management competencies, sales competencies, customer service competencies or administrative competencies.

Describe a difficult problem you had to sort out in your last job (Problem-solving)

This behavior based interviewing question is designed to explore your ability to identify, analyze and solve problems.

Show how you are able to gather and organize the necessary information and identify the best solution.

Here is a sample behavioral interview answer that you can use as a guide to develop your own good answer.

"We were getting a lot of complaints about late deliveries. (Situation)

I met with the staff involved in the customer delivery department and discovered that the problem seemed to be with the stock coming through on time.

I investigated and found that requests for new inventory were not been processed fast enough. The backlog was in the orders department as they were not following up adequately with the suppliers. A system for regular follow up was quickly implemented. (Action)

This sorted out the stock problems and the delivery staff were able to meet their deadlines." (Result)

Describe a new idea or suggestion that you made to your supervisor recently (initiative)

The ability to use your initiative is often explored during competency based interviewing. The interviewer wants to know if you are proactive and able to generate workable ideas. Show how you are a self-starter who will take action beyond what is asked of you.

" I work in orders and the company was launching a new product. The sales team had in-depth training on it but we had none. (Situation)

I suggested that the orders department should also receive the training so that we would understand what was being ordered and be able to answer any questions if necessary. It was agreed we would all undergo a short version of the training. (Action)

This meant that we could deal professionally with the orders. It also motivated us as we felt part of the launch team." (Result)

Tell me about a time that you had to use your judgment and make a decision in your previous job (judgment/decision-making)

Judgment is another essential behavioral competency in the workplace. The interviewer is exploring your ability to make logical decisions and take action. Show how you consider all the relevant facts, weigh up the alternatives and commit to the most appropriate action.

"I was responsible for ordering office supplies for the company. (Situation)

The company always ordered a month's supply at a time to keep inventory costs low. I had to decide whether to keep doing this or buy six month's supply and get a discount for ordering such a big volume and escape possible future price increases. I did some research and worked out we could reduce our costs by buying for six months, especially since the amount we used remained practically unchanged month on month. (Action)

I was right, the prices went up quite a bit during those six months." (Result)

Remember that these are sample answers that can be used to help you formulate your own examples from your previous jobs or other contexts when answering behavioral interview questions like these.

Get good advice on how to approach behavioral interview questions at The Behavioral Interview.

Find interview answers to behavioral questions that explore your stress tolerance, resilience and adaptability at Sample Interview Question and answers for behavioral interviews.

Behavioral questions and sample answers that explore your attention to detail, work standards and organizational skills can be found at All Interview Questions and answers for behavioral interviews.

Get helpful behavioral interview tips and techniques at Behavioral Job Interviews.

View these frequently asked Situational Interview Questions.

View the 12 Core Competencies around which the majority of behavioral or competency based interview questions are asked.

To view behavioral interview questions asked in the manager interview, the project manager interview and the quality assurance interview with sample answer guidelines.

Prepare for common Job Interview Questions that include standard questions such as "Tell me about yourself" and "Why should we hire you?".

Find out the behaviors relevant to the job you are interviewing for. Go to Behavioral Interview Tips for a list of job-related behaviors for different positions.

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