Behavioural Interview Tips for Serious Career Changers

Behavioural interview questions predict your future behaviour by examining past and present behaviours in similar situations. Since being introduced in the 1980s by an industrial psychologist named Dr Tom Janz, one in three recruiters make use of behavioural interview questions. This article shares simple yet powerful steps through which people seeking to make career changes can answer behavioural interview questions successfully.

1. Define Career Goals - It is crucial to first of all define what you want to achieve from the behavioural interview. Are you aiming for an average performance or do you dare to be outstanding? Are you seeking valuable interview experience or are you prepared to make serious career changes? Does the role fit in nicely with your long term career goals or will it merely be a stopgap? Before commencing interview preparations, take time to identify and define your career objectives.

2. Snoop Around - Interviewers are searching for multi talented individuals with behaviours and skills that will add real value to their organisations. They provide ample clues via job adverts and provide information on demand through special career advisors. Before the interview, make plans to sit-in at the hiring department in order to observe the skills and behaviours that the new role demands. Find out more about the company by visiting its website, speaking to its staff, reading press articles and asking people for helpful information.

3. Master the Ad - Observe the language style of job ads. A humorous style hints at a laid back organisation whilst old fashioned firms are more likely to use serious language. Read the ad at least five times then grab a pen and map out three sections on blank paper. In the first section, write down all the skills and talents required for the job, in the second section write the behaviours required of you (e.g. career minded, self starter, team player etc) and in the third section list the company's ethics.

4. Make Believe - Your chances of success will be higher if you put yourself in the interviewer's shoes. Imagine for a second that you are the person conducting the behavioural interview. Would you hire yourself? What kind of individual would you be on the lookout for? What sort of talents and behaviours would you find indispensable? Write down your thoughts and ideas on a separate sheet of paper and incorporate these perspectives into your interview preparation.

5. Dig Deep - Before attending your behavioural interview, take time to find hidden talents and discover your purpose in life. Employers love behavioural questions because they reveal talents and behaviours that interviewees may not even be aware of. E.g. By narrating how you managed difficult co-workers, you are indirectly demonstrating excellent people skills. However, interviewees who know themselves to be talented people managers will prepare case studies that showcase their people management skills to maximum advantage. Greater self awareness also enhances confidence.

6. Use the Clues - Return to the lists of talents and behaviours that are crucial to the job role and ask yourself how many you possess. Reflect on your career history, paying mind to the ways you have demonstrated these talents and behaviours in the past. E.g. if adaptability is one of the desirable behaviours, ask yourself when you have had to adjust to changes over which you had no control. Rehearse possible interview questions relating to the talents and behaviours you copied from the job advert.

Behavioural interviews are not difficult for those who have taken the time to find hidden talents and discover their life's purpose. By passionately communicating how your talents, behaviours and long term goals benefit your prospective employer, you can put yourself miles ahead of your competitors and make the career changes you desire.