5 Must-Ask Behavioural Interview Questions

To make the most of the interview process, we offer the following five behavioural interview questions to help direct your conversation with interviewees to better evaluate their fit with your company culture.

1. Describe a time you were faced with a stressful situation. How did you handle it?

Use this question to evaluate how a candidate works under pressure. Given that your candidate will be in a new work environment that can bring new challenges and stressors, you want to ensure that you select a someone capable of maintaining productivity under stress.  

2. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty to get the job done.

This question assesses work ethic. The way a candidate answers gives you insight into their approach to completing tasks and their willingness to take responsibility for their work.

3. Give me an example of a time when you showed initiative and took the lead.

Hiring employees with strong leadership skills can help boost your office’s productivity. Use this question to select a candidate with strong leadership skills.

4. What are three tactics you have used to address conflict within the office?

Asking this question encourages a candidate to articulate their de-escalating behaviours. While conflict may be inevitable when you spend a significant amount of time with work colleagues, this question helps you identify candidates who are more likely to productively resolve conflicts.   

5. Give an example of when you had to make a split-second decision and the decision you made

When entrusting daily operations of your business to an individual, it is imperative that they can make appropriate quick decisions. To ensure the candidate can make quick decisions in the best interest of your company, consider asking this question.

These questions help draw out examples of candidates’ work behaviours, allowing you to evaluate their compatibility with the open position and, ultimately, your corporate culture. While the interview process can be difficult, behavioural questions that help you target and identify desirable traits can help select the optimal candidate for your role.

Looking to improve your new-hire turnover? Adecco has you covered. With trained recruitment professionals and behavioural and skill set testing, we ensure that every candidate is pre-screened to meet your required qualifications before they even step through your door! Contact your local Adecco branch today to learn how we can assist with your hiring needs.