What is Behavioral interview?

A behavioral interview asks how you handled real situations, on the idea that past behavior predicts future behavior. The questions usually start with “Tell me about a time when…”

Common questions

• Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate.
• Describe a project that didn’t go to plan.
• Tell me about a decision you made without all the information.
• Give an example of going beyond what was asked.

How to answer

Use a story with a clear shape. The STAR method is the usual one: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Spend most of the time on what you did, and end with a result, ideally with a number.

Prepare a story bank

Write down six to eight stories that show different strengths: leadership, conflict, failure, impact. Most questions can be answered with one of them.

A sample answer

Question: “Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate.”

Answer: “On my last team, a designer and I disagreed about shortening our signup form. I worried we’d lose information we needed. She thought the long form was costing us signups. Instead of arguing, I suggested we test both for two weeks. The short form won by 14%, and we found a way to ask the extra questions after signup. I learned to turn opinions into a test when we can.”

It works because it’s specific, it shows what you did, it ends with a result, and it shows you can disagree without making it personal.

What interviewers listen for

• Ownership: “I” for your part, “we” for the team’s.
• Honesty: a real mistake, with what you learned, beats a disguised humblebrag.
• Recent stories: examples from the last few years land better.
• Length: about two minutes. Longer answers lose people.

Behavioral questions usually come after the recruiter screen, in interviews with the hiring manager and the team.

In Hunter

Hunter’s prep sheets match likely questions to your best stories, and its mock interviews include a Behavioral (STAR) type. See Interview prep sheets and Practice a mock interview.