How Can I Prepare for a Behavioral Interview

How Can I Prepare for a Behavioral Interview?

Answer:

Analyze the type of positions for which you're applying. Try to get an actual job description. What skills are required by employers?

Analyze your own background. What skills do you have (content, functional and adaptive) that relate to your job objective?

Identify examples from your past experience where you demonstrated those skills. How can you "tell a story" about your use of particular skills or knowledge? Concentrate on developing complete PAR answers and remember that a good story has a beginning, middle and end.

Whenever possible, quantify your results. Numbers illustrate your level of authority and responsibility.

Be prepared to provide examples of when results didn't turn out as you planned. What did you do then?

Before starting the interview process, identify 2 to 3 of your top selling points and determine how you will convey these points (with demonstrated PAR stories) during the interview.

Once employed, keep a personal achievement diary to help document demonstrated performance (PAR stories).