Hi there, everybody. My name is Richard McMunn from the career
guidance company, how2become.com, and in this training video, I'm gonna give you seven
brilliant answers to behavioral interview questions. Now, sometimes, behavioral interview questions
are termed as situational interview questions, but they're basically the same thing. It's where the interview panel says to you,
"Can you give me an example of when you have been flexible in a work-related situation? Where you've delivered excellent customer
service?" etc. Those are the kind of questions that we're
going to focus on today. So, a very, very warm welcome from me. That's me there. My name is Richard McMunn. For the last 20 odd plus years, I've been
helping people like you to successfully pass interviews, and I can virtually guarantee
that the questions within this video will come up at your next interview. Now, as I say, this is going to give you seven
great answers to common behavioral interview questions. You're gonna say to me, "Where can I get a
copy of these slides and the answers that you're giving us?" Well, if you watch the video from beginning
to end, I'm gonna tell you where you can get a copy of these slides for free. So, even though I want you to take notes and
watch the presentation, I'm gonna make it easy for you and give you the slides at the
end with all of the answers on there that you can use to prepare for your forthcoming
interview. I'd also very much appreciate it, guys, if
you would be willing to give the video a thumbs up. I'd very much appreciate that, thank you. Before I quickly get into these seven great
interview questions and answers, if you have any videos that you'd like me to create for
you, please put them in the comment section below the video, or if you've got an interview
coming up, please let me know in the comment section below and I'll say hi to you. Okay, let's get straight into it. Question number one. When have you completed a difficult task or
project? Now, I'm gonna give you some tips as we go
through this video. So, the first tip is to use a STAR technique
when answering this question and other types of behavioral interview questions. I'm gonna tell you what that is in a second. Now, make the task relevant to the job that
you're applying for. So, for example, if you're applying for a
customer service role, then make the tasks that you were involved in relevant to that
role. The next one is to consider using the following
words in your response: structure. So, "I carried out a structured approach to
the project. I managed my time effectively. I was persistent and I was also determined." I'm gonna use these in the sample response
that I'm gonna come up with in a second. Okay. Now, I mentioned there at the beginning about
using the STAR technique when answering the question. What is that? Well, when responding to any of these questions,
explain what the situation was, tell the interview panel what task you had to carry out, then
tell them what action you took, and finally, tell them what the result was following your
actions. So, remember that: situation, task, action,
result. You just think about the STAR technique, then
remember those. When you're giving your response to the panel,
tell them what the situation was, the task, the action, and then finally, the result,
which is in green to remind you that it should be a positive result, and I'm gonna use that
in every sample response that I'm going to give you now. Okay, back to question number one. When have you completed a difficult task or
project? Here's my response. "I recently successfully completed an online
customer service training course to further develop my skills in this area and to also
fully understand the customer's needs. The course took me two months to complete
in total, and I carried out all of the studying in my own time whilst holding down my current
job. Now, the biggest obstacle I had to overcome
was finding the time to complete the work to the high standard that I wanted to achieve. I decided to manage my time effectively, and
I allocated two hours every evening of the working week in which to complete the studying
required. I found the time management relatively easy
to manage, as I structured my day accordingly. Now, this structured approach enabled me to
complete the course quickly and to a high standard. I'm pleased to say that I passed the course
with 100% marks and I now have more experience about the needs of the modern-day customer. The things I learned during the course included
determining factors that create customer value, identifying the needs of the customer, and
developing strategies to support the modern-day customer. Now, whenever I approach any type of work-related
tasks, I always focus on persistence, being organized, and having a determination to complete
the job competently and professionally." Now, you see that response, I've told them
that I've gone and done an online training course. Now, if you go to the website udemy.com, which
is U-D-E-M-Y.com, you can find loads of training courses that you can undertake in your own
time for probably about $10 or £10, and these can help you to develop your skills for a
work-related role. So, the situation that I gave you was that
I undertook a studying course in my own time, I paid for that myself, but I told them here
what I had learnt. So, question number two, next one. Describe a stressful situation at work and
how you handled it. Really common behavioral-type interview question. So, again, use the STAR technique, which I've
already covered. With this response, show an understanding
of the situation you found yourself in. I'm gonna tell you what that means in a second,
when I give you the response. Also, come up with a solution to the stressful
situation and explain in detail how you handled it positively. So, we all find ourselves in stressful situations
but the important thing is to remain calm and to deal with it in a positive manner. So, here's a response, and don't forget you're
gonna get a copy of these slides at some point during this video, so yeah. Do take notes, but you'll be able to download
these slides. Okay, here's my response. "Recently, we lost an important member of
our team at short notice. Now, the reasons for him leaving were not
made clear to us, however, the impact on the team was significant. He had been helping us to implement a new,
important working strategy within the organization and to replace him was going to be difficult. People within the team started to panic, as
we only had four weeks left in which to complete the new project. I decided to take control of the situation,
as I felt someone had to act positively if we were to have a chance of completing the
project on time. Now, in my spare time, I studied my former
colleague's workload and the things he had been doing in order to contribute to the project. Now, after a couple of hours' research, I
realized that there were members of our team who could take over his work. Now, the next morning, when I got into the
office, I briefed the team on my findings and we started to allocate the tasks based
on our team members' strengths. I could immediately see a change in people's
attitude once they realized there was a chance we could complete our project on time. Now, although the next few weeks were stressful
and difficult, we all worked hard to support each other and the project came to a successful
completion. I learned quite a lot from this scenario. The first thing I learned was that it's always
important to have a positive mindset in stressful situations. By remaining calm and focused on the task,
I was able to find a solution. The second thing I learned was that any challenge
or difficult situation is always surmountable once you apply yourself and play to your team's
strengths." So, this situation demonstrates that it was
stressful but that you took control of it, okay? And you found a solution. That's really important. So, you remained calm, you found a solution
and you implemented it within the team, and everyone was happy. Okay, so that's important to focus on. Next one, question number three. Describe a time when you embraced change within
an organization. Really common one, especially nowadays. A lot of work employees don't like change
but change is really important. Here are some tips. Again, use the STAR technique, which is situation,
task, action, result. Explain that you understand how important
change is. So, it's good to say, "First of all, I understand
how important change it. It's really important in an organization,
especially in the modern day world because things are changing all the time." Come up with a situation where you positively
embraced the change within an organization. Okay, here's a sample response for you. "Approximately six months ago, we were taken
over by a new company who had different ideas for how they wanted to take the business forward. Now, prior to the takeover, we had been working
hard as a team to implement the previous owner's strategies and we were getting close to seeing
our hard work come to fruition. Now, the new business owners briefed us all
on the new strategy and where they wanted to go with the business. Now, this naturally had a demotivational impact
on the team, as everyone felt the hard work they had been doing was wasted. Now, whilst this was a stressful situation
to be in, I decided to embrace the change positively and help the people within the
team to try and view the change as an opportunity for us to impress our new owners. I have a very positive mindset when it comes
to change, and I understand that if an organization is to thrive in the modern world, change is
really important, and as an employee, I feel it's my duty to embrace change positively
and proactively." Okay. So, next one, question number four. When have you demonstrated flexibility in
a work situation? Here's some tips. Again, use the STAR technique. Explain that you realize how important it
is to be flexible as an employer. It's really, really...sorry, as an employee. It's really important to be flexible, and
also, come up with a situation where you were asked to help out at short notice. So, here's a sample response for you to use. "I am very flexible and I fully understand
that the role will require me to be available when required. In my previous job, I made the manager aware
that I was available to work extra hours if required. On one particular occasion, I volunteered
to stay behind after work to take delivery of some stock. Now, the delivery driver was stuck in traffic
and he called to say that he would wouldn't arrive until 6 p.m., which was two hours later
than scheduled. Now, even though it was a Friday afternoon,
I realized how important it was that the delivery was accepted. I stayed behind, took delivery of the stock
and checked the contents before locking up and going home. As already mentioned, I fully understand how
important it is to be flexible at work and that I might be needed to either cover someone's
illness at short notice or even step in to help the company as and when required. You can rely on me to be a flexible and supportive
member of your team." Great answer to the interview question, "When
have you demonstrated flexibility?" Question number five is a really good one. What's been your biggest failure to date and
how did you deal with it? So, tips. Failure is really part and parcel of life. We all fail, but it's how you react to the
failure that's important. So tell the interview panel that you view
failure as a chance to improve and develop. So, here's my sample response. "I would say my biggest failure to date is
failing an educational course that I embarked upon a couple of years ago. Now, the reason why I failed the course was
primarily due to a lack of adequate time set aside for studying; however, I immediately
learnt from my mistake and shortcomings and I booked to resit the test immediately. I worked hard during the build-up to the resit
and I spent lots of time studying. I passed the test with flying colors. I certainly learnt a lot from my initial failure
and I always make sure that I now prepare fully for everything that I do. It's really important to reflect upon your
own performance, especially when things don't go to plan. I now like to view failure as an opportunity
to improve and develop." That's a great response to that interview
question. Question number six. Describe a time when you've had to deal with
somebody in a work situation who you felt was not pulling their weight or working part
of the team. So, tips. Be someone who is prepared to tackle people
who are not pulling their weight. We all know people in our office or in our
work environment who don't do as much as they should do. Obviously, don't ever become confrontational,
but instead be calm and positive in your approach and explain how the member of the team is
impacting negatively on the rest of their team. So what you should be doing is trying to educate
them. Here's a sample response. "Whilst working in my current role as a waiter
for a local restaurant, I was aware of a colleague who was taking more breaks than he was entitled
to. Now, whilst he was taking these additional
breaks, the rest of the team would have to cover for the shortfall. Now, unfortunately, the customer would then
suffer, as the time it took for them to be served would increase. I decided to approach the person in order
to resolve the issue. I walked over to him in a calm manner and
asked him in a friendly manner if he would come and help the rest of the team serve the
customers. I told him that we were busy and that we needed
his help. Now, fortunately, he responded in a positive
manner, and he realized that he was taking advantage of his rest periods. Now, since then, there has not been an issue,
but it's important that the team gets on and works well together. We cannot afford to have confrontational situations,
and the best way to resolve them is to be honest and tactful." Next question. What would you do if you noticed a work colleague
being harassed or bullied? Another great question, and one that's common
nowadays at interviews. Now, obviously, some tips. No form of bullying or harassment is ever
acceptable. Say you would follow company procedures; that's
really important. So you're not going off and doing what you
think is right, you're following company procedures, because all companies should have a bullying
and harassment procedure. Intervene in a calm manner and try to educate
the person who is actually carrying out the bullying or the harassment. Okay. Here's a sample response. "To begin with, I would certainly take some
form of action. Now, bullying or harassment should never be
tolerated in the workplace. I would make sure that I'm conversant with
the company's policy before taking any action; however, I would do all that I could to stop
the inappropriate behavior, and that might involve informing a senior manager. I would speak to the person who was being
bullied or harassed and do all that I could to support them. Now, sometimes, these people who are acting
as the bully do not realize what they're doing and the impact of their actions, therefore,
it's important to challenge the person who is carrying out the inappropriate behavior
but also educate them as to what they're doing wrong and the impact it is having on other
people. Okay, that's seven questions. Do you know what? I've got another 50 that I want to give you. If you click the link below the video, guys,
it will take you through to my website, or if you go to the website passmyinterview.com,
you can get free access to my training course. So, I mentioned the slides. Where can you get these slides from? Well, they're contained within that training
course, but also, I've put a link below here in the description below the video that will
take you through to SlideShare where you can just download these slides for free. Guys, I really hope you've enjoyed that. I love making videos for you. As I said at the beginning, I would very much
appreciate if you just click the Like button, subscribe to the channel as well, because
then you'll get notified when I do more of these. And, yeah. Say hi in the comment section below. Let me know what you thought of the video. I hope you enjoyed it, and let me know when
your interview's coming up, and yeah. I wish you all the very best, genuinely, in
your pursuit passing your interview. Thank you for watching.
