What Behavioral Interview Questions Will I Be Asked?

 Preparing for a job interview is challenging. And then we face the challenge of the overwhelming number of articles online telling us what are the most common behavioral interview questions, but none of that information is consistent. Instead of wasting time on sometimes long and definitely inconsistent lists of questions, it’s more effective to focus on a strategic approach. An approach that focuses on the core categories of behavioral questions you’re most likely to encounter.

Below are ten key categories, each with a focus area and sample questions, that will cover roughly 80% (or more) of the behavioral questions you might face. After reviewing these, we’ll explore a simple method to generate role-specific questions by using an AI tool like ChatGPT.

1. Conflict and Failure (Negative Experiences)

Focus: How you handle challenges, learn from mistakes and resolve conflicts.
 

Sample Questions:

• Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work. How did you resolve it?
• Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you manage the relationship?
• Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you handle it, and what did you learn?

2. Accomplishment-Based (Goals, Projects, Initiatives)

Focus: Showcasing successes, achievements and how you reached your goals.
 

Sample Questions:

• Give me an example of a goal you set and how you achieved it.
• Tell me about a project you led. How did you organize and motivate your team?
• Can you give an example of a time you went above and beyond at work?

3. Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

Focus: Demonstrating your ability to analyze issues, solve problems and make informed decisions.
 

Sample Questions:

• Tell me about a significant challenge you faced at work. How did you handle it?
• Describe a time when you had to make a decision with limited information.

4. Adaptability and Flexibility

Focus: Your capacity to handle change and meet evolving demands.
 

Sample Questions:

• Can you give an example of when you had to adapt to a major change at work?
• Tell me about a time you had to meet a tight deadline. How did you ensure success?

5. Leadership and Teamwork

Focus: Managing teams, collaborating with others and achieving collective results.
 

Sample Questions:

• Tell me about a project you led. How did you motivate your team?
• Describe a situation where you worked within a team to reach a goal. What was your role, and what were the results?

6. Communication and Influence

Focus: Persuading others and conveying ideas clearly.
 

Sample Questions:

• Tell me about a time you had to persuade others to adopt your plan. How did you approach it?
• Describe a time when you communicated a complex idea effectively.

7. Initiative and Proactivity

Focus: Taking charge, suggesting improvements and exceeding expectations.
 

Sample Questions:

• Give an example of when you went above and beyond at work.
• Tell me about a time you took the initiative to improve a process.

8. Learning and Growth (Self-Improvement)

Focus: How you learn from feedback, setbacks and experiences.
 

Sample Questions:

• Tell me about a decision you made in the past year that you would change if you could.
• Describe a time when you received constructive feedback. How did you use it?

9. Customer and Stakeholder Focus

Focus: Managing and meeting the needs of clients or key stakeholders.
 

Sample Questions:

• Can you give an example of managing a difficult client or stakeholder? How did you handle it?
• Tell me about a time you went out of your way to meet a customer’s needs.

10. Ethical Judgment and Integrity

Focus: Upholding ethical standards and handling dilemmas responsibly.
 

Sample Questions:

• Describe a time when you faced an ethical dilemma at work. How did you resolve it?
• Tell me about a situation where you had to make a difficult, unpopular decision.

Generating Role-Specific Behavioral Questions

In addition to mastering these general categories, tailoring your preparation to the specific role you’re interviewing for is critical Here’s a simple, effective method:

1. Copy and Paste the Job Description into Your Preferred LLM:
1. Use a tool like ChatGPT, Claude or another language model.
2. Ask the LLM for Role-Specific Behavioral Questions:
1. Request the AI tool to generate questions based on the job description. If you need more, just ask for more with the guidance to not repeat questions.

This straightforward approach allows you to focus both on the common categories and on the exact requirements of the position. By combining these two strategies, you’ll be well prepared for 90%+ of the behavioral questions you’re likely to encounter.

Good Luck!