Don't Blow the Interview!

A few weeks ago a client who hired me last year for resume help called and said “I blew the interview - big time!” He recently landed an interview for a $100k+ a year job at a desirable firm. So far, so good. He did not however, prepare for the “new” style of interviewing - behavioral/social intelligence based questions. My client is a super savvy, experienced, professional creative who excels in his field. However, he had not interviewed in a while, and was not expecting questions such as: “So, tell me three negative things about you that your references would say.” Unfortunately, he was not extended an offer. 

What kind of question is that?? Candidates used to be interviewed to determine their skills, experience, and talent. Over the past few years though, companies have gone to “Behavioral Based” or “Social Intelligence” interviewing, hiring, and managing. While skills and experience are still very important, the new interviewing styles are based on core competencies and will ask questions that pertain to character such as integrity, honesty, and leadership qualities, and how you use them in work related situations. 

Behavioral Based interviewing is based on the belief that what you have done in the past is a clear indication of what you will do in the future. Social Intelligence interviewing is based on situational awareness, verbal/non-verbal communication styles, authenticity, clarity (the ability to explain yourself) and empathy (can you connect with others). Both of these interviewing styles focus on internal qualities, such as flexibility, people skills, decision making abilities, management style, communication, empathy, critical thinking, innovation, persuasiveness, initiative, resilience, achievement potential, etc. 

Why have companies gone to these methods of interviewing? They believe hiring based on internal traits is more effective than other hiring styles because “character” and “personality” are qualities employees cannot be trained on, and they want successful employees. 

Welcome to the behavioral/social intelligence interview! You must be prepared for pointed, in-depth questions, and especially, negative questions. Prepare 6-8 “accomplishment stories” from your recent past that highlight the behaviors the company is seeking. Wrap these around PAR – Problem, Action, Result – which is a Problem that you solved, what Action who took to solve it, and the successful Result. Quantify it with numbers. Remember to role play – practice still makes perfect, but don't mesmerize...you don't want to sound like a robot! 

Here are a few top questions to get you started: 

• Describe a time that your work or ideas were criticized and what you did? 
• What difficult decision did you make in the last year and what skills did you use to make it? 
• Give a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem. 
• What are the advantages to setting team goals vs. individual goals? 
• How do you handle unexpected deadlines, changes, expenses? Give an example of what you did.
• What is your management philosophy to motivate the Millennials (Gen Y)? What tools do you use? 
• Give an example how you communicated unpopular rules/bad news to your staff. 
• How do you juggle a number of work priorities and keep on track? 
• Describe a success story that started with a irate customer/client/boss. 

You cannot be absolutely sure what kind of questions you will be asked but rest assured that you will be asked “behavioral/social intelligence" questions – even for entry level positions!! Your preparation in ADVANCE of the interview is critical to your success. Believe me, you do not want to utter the words “I blew the interview!” 

Need help answering these questions?? Contact me for a free consultation. 

About the Author: Kristi Enigl is a Career & Job Search Consultant who brings over 19 years of Hiring, HR Management and Executive Recruiting to her professional practice. She helps professionals identify, create, and market their personal brand so they reach their career goals – FAST. She is a public speaker who regularly participates in career workshops and roundtables. For more information about Kristi, please visit her website at http://www.kristienigl.com or www.linkedin.com/in/kristienigl. For a complimentary resume review, contact her at coachkristi@kristienigl.com.