Difficult behavioral interview questions: how to answer them

The most difficulast behavioral interview questions force you to look at times where things went wrong, and how you handled that situation. Certainly it is easier to answer the questions where we triumphed with a certain amount of bravado and confidence but what about the times where it didn't go so well? I have found it is important to be honest. Use the STAR technique. But also add some information about what you learned, indeed how you would do things better. Try your hand at some of these:

1. Describe the most significant or creative presentation that you have had to complete.
2. Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).
3. Sometimes it's easy to get in "over your head." Describe a situation where you had to request help or assistance on a project or assignment.
4. Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?
5. Describe a situation in which you found that your results were not up to your professor's or supervisor's expectations. What happened? What action did you take?
6. Tell of a time when you worked with a colleague who was not completing his or her share of the work. Who, if anyone, did you tell or talk to about it? Did the manager take any steps to correct your colleague? Did you agree or disagree with the manager's actions?
7. Describe a situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise or guide others to a compromise.
8. In a supervisory or group leader role, have you ever had to discipline or counsel an employee or group member? What was the nature of the discipline? What steps did you take? How did that make you feel? How did you prepare yourself?
9. Compare and contrast the times when you did work which was above the standard with times your work was below the standard.
10. Describe some times when you were not very satisfied or pleased with your performance. What
11. What kind of supervisor do you work best for? Provide examples.
12. Tell of the most difficult customer service experience that you have ever had to handle -- perhaps an angry or irate customer. Be specific and tell what you did and what was the outcome.
13. Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle that person?
14. Describe a situation where you found yourself dealing with someone who didn't like you. How did you handle it?

Bracing yourself for difficult behavioral interview questions will certainlty give you more dimension, and demonstrate resilience, if you can prepare for these curve balls in advance.

Behavioral Interviewing tips

This video gives good behavioral interivewing tips. The presenter walks her talk, demonstrating the Star Technique for answering questions. She also talkes about what not to do, such as being vauge or saying that you were "pretty good" instead of "great". Ultimately stories sell, andecdotes that are specific and that demonstrate your competency. It's an old rule of "show", don't "tell".

Job search new year's resolutions

This year, aside from doing my blogging and online businesses, I am also on a work search as I reshape my own career. Here are some new year's resolutions for every job seeker to think about. The behaviorl interview is just part of the trip!


I will only apply for positions I am qualified for
I will meet (on the phone or in person) three new people a week who can help me with my job search.
I will learn to leverage such tools as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, blogging and other social media as part of my job search.
I will not place the burdon of my job search on another person's shoulders hoping they can get me a job. They may have information about possible openings or know someone I need to meet.
I will set up informal discussions with decision-makers/hiring managers even if they are not hiring right now. They may be hiring soon.
I will consider that my resume may not be as good as it could be and seek advice.
I will give my resume a makeover. A professional may see more than I can and give me some constructive feedback. (This is one for me especially, since I write resumes for others).

I will consider my job search to be a full time job, more important than TV, or browsing the Internet for fun.
I will build a plan for my job hunt by outlining resources to research and key people to contact. I will create a schedule, too. Milestones and goals are important.
I will enlist the support of others who care about me and who can offer good advice (instead of giving up hope).

I will keep busy if I'm unemployed. I will volutter, use my time to meet new people and offer my assistance to others who can use it.

I will keep learning in my subject matter. I will read, take online courses or self study modules or attend free lectures and trade shows.

I will exercise I will do something I like to do such as walking or cycling.


I will think about what I liked and disliked in previous jobs and develop the ultimate job description. I will use this to give my search focus