What do interviewers look for in behavioral interviews? In order to succeed in interviews, interviewers should pay attention to five crucial "green lights." These green lights serve as indicators of desirable traits and skills in candidates. To provide a comprehensive understanding, each green light will be explained with an example question and an effective approach to answering using the STAR technique [1].
Organized: Being organized is crucial for gaining the interviewer's trust and demonstrating reliability. When candidates are organized, they are more likely to handle responsibilities effectively. This fosters a sense of safety and trust in the workplace.
Eg: “Tell me about a time you had to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.”
You can describe how you organized your work, prioritized tasks, and effectively managed your time to meet deadlines. This demonstrates your ability to be organized and reliable.
Humble: Humility is attractive because it shows respect for others. It involves listening to others, being a good listener, and valuing their thought process. A lack of humility can lead to a leader who refuses to listen to different perspectives, resembling a dictator. By respecting and considering other ideas and thoughts, the best solutions can be found.
Eg: “Tell me about a situation where you had to work in a team with diverse opinions and ideas.”
You can share an example of how you actively listened to your team members, valued their input, and collaborated to reach a collective decision. This showcases your humility and respect for others' perspectives.
Hard-working: Collaboration is essential for success. Through collaborative efforts, tasks can be accomplished, obstacles can be overcome, and goals can be achieved. Hard work plays a pivotal role in driving progress, especially during challenging times. Recognizing the value of hard work creates a sense of safety and commitment within a team.
Eg: “Tell me about a challenging project or situation you faced in a previous role.”
You can explain how you went above and beyond your responsibilities, put in extra effort, and worked collaboratively with colleagues to overcome obstacles and achieve successful outcomes. This highlights your strong work ethic and dedication.
Curious: Curiosity sparks innovation and the development of new processes. By questioning the status quo, we open doors to improvement and growth. Accepting everything as it is without curiosity hinders advancement. Asking "why" and seeking to solve problems and improve existing practices are traits valued in candidates.
Eg: “Tell me about a time when you identified a problem or inefficiency in a process and took the initiative to improve it.”
You can describe how you asked critical questions, conducted research, sought alternative solutions, and implemented changes that led to positive results. This demonstrates your curiosity and proactive approach to driving innovation.
Conscientious: Demonstrating a commitment to doing what is right, both legally and ethically, is essential during the interview process. Regardless of the company or role, cultural integrity should be maintained. Being conscientious ensures that candidates uphold standards and make decisions that align with the organization's values.
Eg: “Tell me about a situation where you had to make an ethical decision or handle a sensitive issue.”
You can explain how you considered the company's values and adhered to legal and ethical guidelines while resolving the situation. This showcases your conscientiousness and commitment to doing what is right.
By embodying these green lights in behavioral interviews, candidates can impress interviewers and increase their chances of success.