How to Approach Behavioral Questions in a Technical Interview

Are you preparing for a technical interview at a FANG company or any other tech company? If yes, then you must be aware of the importance of behavioral questions in a technical interview. Behavioral questions are designed to assess your personality, work style, and problem-solving skills. They are an integral part of the interview process and can make or break your chances of getting hired.

In this article, we will discuss how to approach behavioral questions in a technical interview. We will cover the following topics:

• What are behavioral questions?
• Why do interviewers ask behavioral questions?
• How to prepare for behavioral questions?
• How to answer behavioral questions?
• Examples of behavioral questions and their answers

So, let's get started!

What are Behavioral Questions?

Behavioral questions are open-ended questions that are designed to assess your behavior in specific situations. These questions are based on the premise that past behavior is a good predictor of future behavior. Therefore, interviewers ask behavioral questions to understand how you have handled situations in the past and how you are likely to handle similar situations in the future.

Behavioral questions are different from technical questions. Technical questions assess your knowledge and skills in a particular domain, while behavioral questions assess your personality, work style, and problem-solving skills.

Why do Interviewers Ask Behavioral Questions?

Interviewers ask behavioral questions for the following reasons:

• To assess your problem-solving skills: Behavioral questions are designed to assess how you approach problems and how you solve them. Interviewers want to know if you have a structured approach to problem-solving and if you can think creatively to find solutions to complex problems.

• To assess your personality: Behavioral questions are designed to assess your personality traits such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and adaptability. Interviewers want to know if you have the right personality traits that fit the company culture and the job requirements.

• To assess your work style: Behavioral questions are designed to assess how you work in a team, how you manage your time, and how you prioritize tasks. Interviewers want to know if you have the right work style that fits the company culture and the job requirements.

How to Prepare for Behavioral Questions?

Preparing for behavioral questions requires a different approach than preparing for technical questions. Here are some tips to help you prepare for behavioral questions:

• Research the company culture: Before the interview, research the company culture and values. This will give you an idea of the personality traits and work style that the company values.

• Review the job description: Review the job description and identify the key skills and personality traits that the company is looking for. This will help you prepare for questions related to those skills and traits.

• Prepare examples: Prepare examples of situations where you have demonstrated the skills and personality traits that the company is looking for. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your examples.

• Practice with a friend: Practice answering behavioral questions with a friend or a mentor. This will help you get feedback on your answers and improve your communication skills.

How to Answer Behavioral Questions?

Answering behavioral questions requires a structured approach. Here are some tips to help you answer behavioral questions:

• Listen carefully: Listen carefully to the question and make sure you understand it before answering.

• Use the STAR method: Use the STAR method to structure your answer. Start by describing the situation, then the task, the action you took, and the result.

• Be specific: Be specific in your answers and provide details. Use numbers and metrics to quantify your achievements.

• Be honest: Be honest in your answers and don't exaggerate your achievements. Interviewers can easily spot when you are lying or exaggerating.

• Be concise: Be concise in your answers and don't ramble. Stick to the point and answer the question directly.

Examples of Behavioral Questions and their Answers

Here are some examples of behavioral questions and their answers:

Question: Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult team member.

Answer: In my previous job, I had to work with a team member who was very difficult to work with. He was always negative and never contributed to the team. To handle the situation, I first tried to understand his perspective and why he was behaving that way. I then tried to involve him in the team discussions and give him specific tasks to work on. I also gave him feedback on his work and tried to motivate him. In the end, he started contributing to the team and we were able to complete the project successfully.

Question: Tell me about a time when you had to solve a complex problem.

Answer: In my previous job, I had to solve a complex problem where the system was crashing frequently. To solve the problem, I first analyzed the logs and identified the root cause of the problem. I then proposed a solution to the team and implemented it. I also monitored the system closely to ensure that the problem was resolved. In the end, the system was stable and we were able to deliver the project on time.

Question: Tell me about a time when you had to lead a team.

Answer: In my previous job, I had to lead a team of developers to deliver a project. To lead the team, I first set clear goals and expectations for the team. I also assigned specific tasks to each team member and monitored their progress. I also provided feedback and coaching to the team members to help them improve their skills. In the end, we were able to deliver the project on time and within budget.

Conclusion

Behavioral questions are an integral part of a technical interview. They are designed to assess your personality, work style, and problem-solving skills. To prepare for behavioral questions, research the company culture, review the job description, prepare examples, and practice with a friend. To answer behavioral questions, listen carefully, use the STAR method, be specific, be honest, and be concise. With these tips, you can ace the behavioral questions in your next technical interview and increase your chances of getting hired.

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