In this edition of the Veris Insights newsletter, we’re excited to share some valuable tips and tricks to help you ace your interviews. Let’s dive right into one of the most common types of questions you’re likely to encounter: behavioral questions. Mastering these can make you stand out and impress potential employers.

Did you know? Our research shows that candidates are actually 55% more attracted to employers who invite them to discuss their professional experiences. From the interviewer’s perspective, behavioral questions are a fantastic way to gauge your skills directly related to the role. Win, win!

 

So, what are behavioral questions?

They prompt you to share how you’ve successfully tackled challenges in the past. It’s your chance to showcase your experiences and demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Look out for questions that start with “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an example of when you…“

 

Now, let’s talk preparation.

It all starts with doing your research. Dig into the company and carefully review the job description. This way, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the experiences and qualifications the interviewer is seeking. Once you have that down, take some time to reflect on examples and stories from your professional life that highlight your fit for the role.

Remember, it’s not just about the examples you choose—it’s also about how you present them. That’s where the STAR method comes in. It’s a tried-and-true technique that’ll help you deliver clear and concise responses:

• Situation – Briefly provide context for the example or story from your work experience (2-3 sentences).
• Task – Describe your specific responsibilities in that situation (1-2 sentences).
• Action – Explain the steps you took to handle or resolve the situation (1-2 sentences).
• Results – Summarize the outcomes or achievements resulting from your actions, and highlight any lessons learned (2-3 sentences).

 

And here’s a pro tip: actively listen to the question that’s asked. If you need a moment to gather your thoughts before providing an example, just let the interviewer know.

Finally, some sample questions.

Our diligent team of researchers conducted a survey among candidates of how helpful each question would be at allowing them to make a case for themselves during a job interview. The Veris Insights research team then provided our members with the most impactful interview questions for Talent Acquisition Leaders to ask during interviews. Here’s an exclusive sneak peek at the top-rated questions:

• •  Provide an example of a goal you reached and how you achieved it. 
• •  Describe a time when you and your team members were forced to compromise and what the results were.
• •  Describe a time you were under a lot of pressure and how you got through it.
• •  Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult client or customer and how you dealt with it.

 

We hope these insights and strategies give you a boost in your upcoming interviews. Wishing you the best of luck, and stay tuned for more awesome tips from our Talent Acquisition team in future editions of our newsletter. Happy interviewing!