Need help with "Behavioral Interviewing"

[NewGuy2005 53]

Here's my situation: I have an interview next week and I am confident that it will be like a couple of others I have recently had in which they adopt the current fad of "Behavioral Interviewing." That is, they toss out questions like "Give me an example where a course of action you proposed was not accepted by your team, but you were able, through your leadership, to convince them to adopt your course of action after all and what was the end result of that course of action."

It is my opinion that this style of interviewing serves only to indentify the best actors and liars among us and wastes valuable time that could be spent identifying the skills that the job requires and determining my match for same.

Is there anyone out there that that can:
1) Give me advice on succesfully interviewing in this idiom
2) Give me an example of how they were able to wrestle control of such an interview and bring it back on a more productive path

I already have a great job so I won't mind taking the calculated risk of attempting to guide the interviewer onto a track that would be to my advantage, by subtle means or otherwise.

Thanks,
Ken

[Suavel 0]

I don't know a whole lot but if they start that way you could either:

A) Enter a discussion about behavioral interviewing and your views on it, or:

B) Answer the question, and follow with, "Or I could just be telling you that. Wouldn't a more productive question be appropriate?"

Not exactly subtle....

[happythoughts 0]

There is a book by Robert Half that gives sample interview questions and coaches you on good answers.

Example:
"What would you say is your worst problem at work?"
"I am sometimes over-eager and try to do too much."

"How do you resolve conflicts with co-workers?"
"I try to be reasonable and see all sides to an issue, but then, I'm going to need a bigger backyard soon."

[Guest]

I tend to be a pretty hard-charger during interviews. I'm not humorless, but I come across as strong, thoughtful and well-spoken (that probably comes as a big surprise to those who know me, but I digress
Anyway, I had an interview yesterday in which I'm positive that I made the IT Manager scared I'd be taking HIS job. That was a new experience for me - I could read him like a book and he knew it.

I made some suggestions for improvements to his company's products that they will probably now run with, since they basically got a consulting session for free.

mh

.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[rehmwa 2]

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There is a book by Robert Half that gives sample interview questions and coaches you on good answers.

Example:
"What would you say is your worst problem at work?"
"I am sometimes over-eager and try to do too much."

"How do you resolve conflicts with co-workers?"
"I try to be reasonable and see all sides to an issue, but then, I'm going to need a bigger backyard soon."

Those kind of crap - CANNED - interview questions are a real hallmark of weak managers. If you can't turn an interview into a reasonable conversation that compares mutual needs, then do you really want to work for such an unimaginative person in the first place.

"What would say is your worst problem at work"

"Well, I'm frequently late, my bosses are always wrong, office supplies start to disappear, I like to argue for no reason,......Just kidding - really, I can give you canned response to that question, but if you want to know my work style, then let's have a discussion on my work style and compare it to what you consider your corporate culture and see how well they mesh. That way we both learn something about how well I'll fit in be able to contribute right away" conversation ensues or not

I actually ask technical people to solve a real problem right in front of me - I want to see how they think. Give an Aero engineer an airplane performance question, ask a mech engineer how a thermos works, etc. I had another hiring manager get really bent when she found that out - strange, maybe I was supposed to ask how the candidate FELT about working for a living. I don't ask non-technical people to solve problems - that's not what they do

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[NewGuy2005 53]

[Those kind of crap - CANNED - interview questions are a real hallmark of weak managers. If you can't turn an interview into a reasonable conversation that compares mutual needs, then do you really want to work for such an unimaginative person in the first place.



I think you just nailed it. Behavioral interviewing allows any interviewer to take a list of questions from a book and ask them to any applicant regardless of the industry or discipline. No thought or preparation required.

[Mike111 0]

Confidence will definately help you, although the questions might be stupid and not take enough attention to the skills of the individual, having a positive attitude towards them should greatly help.

If you can't recall such a situation, and can lie quite well, then think ofa situation you perform well in and can relate to, and make up a realistic lie which sounds convincing - should be ok, unless they liek check everything someone says

[VectorBoy 0]

They are looking for continuety of character and methodolgy to problem solving. So responses shouldn't be radically different unless the situations are radically different.

[councilman24 37]

This is called targeted selection where I come from. Been through two interviewer trainings on it. No hypotheticals, no how do feel about. It's all "Tell when you DID this or that" And the only real right answer is coming up with something. Literally. Answering with a past experience, no matter how long ago or irrelevant is better than not answering of saying "I would do".

Of course if your answer is I shot the bastard you probably won't get the job.

Don't try to change the interview. It won't help. We had areas for questions during a serial interview but had to elicite the appropriate past action response.

Also, we would ask technical questions but the other stuff was just as important.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[NewGuy2005 53]

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This is called targeted selection where I come from. Been through two interviewer trainings on it. No hypotheticals, no how do feel about. It's all "Tell when you DID this or that"

Theoretically, it sounds like a good idea, but I guess my problem with it is that I don't trust the wisdom or judgement of the person doing the interviewing to have the ability to piece together a valid picture of what I'm about.

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[councilman24 37]

didn't say I liked it. Just explaining that you might be more successful going with the flow.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[Gawain 0]

If you're comfortable with your current job, etc., then you can attempt to take control of the interview and questions like that by providing situations/scenarios on your terms, etc.

For example, using the question you cited: "Give me an example where a course of action you proposed was not accepted by your team, but you were able, through your leadership, to convince them to adopt your course of action after all and what was the end result of that course of action."

Instead of giving them the requested example, give them a situation where your leadership prevailed in the first place and you were able to adapt it to accept input from the team, etc.

Another way is to cite an example where you allowed the team to take the iniative, and you provided leading guidance, and critical decisions to ensure the team stayed "on goal".

If the interviewer isn't a schmuck, they'll see this as you applying your leading behavior even in the interview and you'll get on the "short list". If the interviewer is some HR generalist loser, they'll quietly mark their notes as "darted the behavioral questions" or "not a team player"...

Adopt the mind set of you controlling the interview, rather than the other way around. You are taking time out of your schedule, they are doing what they are paid to do, whether you're there or not. You are their guest, so remember you're in their house, but also remember that many guests in society should be treated in a kind manner.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[NewGuy2005 53]

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didn't say I liked it. Just explaining that you might be more successful going with the flow.

No doubt, you're right about that. Thanks for your insight.