Using Behavior-Based Interviewing Techniques

A response to a behavior-based question should clearly identify the task or problem, explain the candidate's response, identify the result of their actions, and describe the outcome of the task.

To get all this information from a candidate, formulate questions this way: "Tell me about your involvement in a recent project. Describe any problems you encountered and the steps you took to overcome those obstacles."

Review Your Questions
Once you develop a list of questions, double-check to make sure they are open ended. To avoid questions that allow for a "yes" or "no" answer, structure them to begin with "tell me about a time," "give me an example," or other phrases that invite a detailed response.

Finally, review your questions to ensure they provide you with a complete picture of the candidate's background. You want to walk away from the interview with more than a list of the person's skills and a partial idea of their past performance. You'll want a comprehensive understanding of how they've performed in the past, along with a good idea of how they'll perform in your work environment.