7 Behavioural Interview Questions with Answers

How will a potential employee behave in specific work situations? The best way to predict this is by asking behavioural questions during the job interview. By letting them narrate past experiences in the workplace and how they overcame challenges, you can gauge their work ethic, process, and values. Unlike situational questions, which deal with hypothetical scenarios that may occur, behavioural questions target the candidate’s history and past experiences.

To help you find the best people, we give you some of the best behavioural interview questions.

If you’re looking to ask candidates about hypothetical situations instead, read our article on situational interview questions.

1. Tell me about a time when you and a teammate had different ideas on approaching a task. How did you work things out? What this shows: collaboration skills This is an important question if the role heavily depends on teamwork. Disagreements may be inevitable, but if the candidate knows how to handle them with diplomacy and professionalism, you can prevent workplace conflict. An employee who can work with different personalities is a valuable asset.

2. Tell me about a time you’ve had to work on different projects simultaneously. How did you complete all your tasks? What this shows: time management Deadlines need to be met to complete projects. Employees can look busy, but are they moving forward with their assigned projects? Aside from having a sense of urgency, workers must also be organised in accomplishing tasks. By learning how your candidates manage their time, you can better see if they’re a good fit for your company.

3. Based on your experience, how do you know which tasks you should prioritise? What this shows: business acumen Good employees can see the big picture of their work and know how their daily duties are vital to the business. By aligning themselves with the company’s goals, they can assess which tasks should be accomplished first to achieve results.

4. Think of an instance where you encountered a problem while handling a project. How did you go about it? What this shows: problem-solving skills Employees who are proactive in formulating solutions can significantly contribute to business growth. These workers boost productivity and show leadership potential by caring about work efficiency.

5. Was there a time when your company changed its priorities, and you received duties different from the ones you were used to? How did you adjust? What this shows: flexibility To stay relevant, companies must keep up with competitors and emerging technologies. If the role requires adaptability, like in IT, sales, marketing and many others, you need to ask this question to prepare a potential employee for possible future changes.

6. Recall an instance where you gave feedback to a colleague. How did you go about it? What this shows: communication skills You want employees who handle delicate situations with tact and empathy. A good team member makes decisions to promote harmony and prevent conflict. See if the candidate values professionalism by giving the feedback in private instead of calling out their colleague for everyone to hear.

7. Talk to me about a project where you had a significant contribution to its success. What did you do? What this shows: leadership skills Someone who can impact a project has the potential to lead a team. Listen for instances of troubleshooting, coming up with creative solutions, and inspiring teammates. A candidate passionate about delivering the goods in the most efficient way possible can make positive changes in your business.

Adding new employees can either enrich or disrupt your work culture. Behavioural interview questions let you examine if the candidate can adjust quickly to your offered role and work environment. This way, you can boost your chances of a successful hire—equipped with the specific skills you’re looking for.