What behavioural questions are
Behavioural questions usually begin with "Tell us about a time when…" or "Describe a situation where…". They rest on the idea that past behaviour is a good guide to future behaviour.
Hypothetical questions are different. They set up a made-up work problem, such as "What would you do if…", and ask how you'd solve it. Our sample scenario questions help with those.
The STAR method
England's National Careers Service sets out the STAR method like this:
- Situation: the situation you had to deal with
- Task: the task you were given to do
- Action: the action you took
- Result: what happened because of your action, and what you learned
Keep the situation and task to a line or two each. Spend most of your answer on the action. Say "I", not "we", so the panel knows what you did.
End with the result, with a number if you can: time saved, money, people helped or fewer mistakes.
In the room with a panel
A panel is a group of interviewers who see you together. Australia's public service guide says it's okay to:
- take time to think about your answer
- ask the panel to rephrase a question if you don't understand it
- take a copy of your application or other notes with you
Look at the person who asked the question, and include the others as you answer.
How to prepare
- List the essential criteria from the ad.
- For each one, pick a true story where you showed it.
- Write each story in STAR form, in about 200 words.
- Practise out loud until you can tell it without notes.
- Have some questions ready to ask the employer at the end.
A full answer, in STAR form
Here is a made-up answer to a common behavioural question.
Made-up example
Tom, interviewing for a team leader role in a warehouse
Question
Situation
Task
Action
- I asked him for a coffee, and asked how his shift was going before saying anything else.
- He explained that late deliveries left his team short of time, which I hadn't known.
- We agreed a simple handover sheet showing which orders were packed and which weren't.
- I asked our manager to move one delivery slot earlier, and she agreed.
Result
The answer stays calm and fair to the colleague. Most of it is what Tom did, and the result has a number.
Questions
How long should a STAR answer be?
About 90 seconds out loud is a good aim. Be ready for follow-up questions about your example.
What if I can't think of an example?
Take a moment to think. If nothing comes, use an example from study, volunteering or sport, and say where it's from.
Can I bring notes to a panel interview?
Often, yes. Australia's public service guide says it's okay to take a copy of your application or other notes. Ask the employer if you're unsure.
What is a hypothetical question?
A question about a made-up work problem, such as "What would you do if…". Say how you'd approach it, step by step.
Sources
Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on . Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.