Keys to Successful Interviewing

Behavioral interviewing is a technique in which the questions asked assist the interviewer in making predictions about a potential employee's future success based on actual past behaviors. Studies have shown that past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior. Behavioral interviewing is geared to learn what an applicant has done in a certain situation, rather than what s/he thinks about that situation. Applicants who can provide concrete examples of their behavior will provide the interviewer(s) with insight into the candidates' capabilities and style, as well as a general feeling for the candidate's character. In addition, determining how they learned and what they learned while meeting the challenges of their previous assignment is also essential. If they learned from their success (or failure) and they are reflective about that learning, then they are more likely to be able to adapt their experiences to a new job opportunity.

When developing behavioral questions, think about starting with the phrase, "Tell us about a time when"...and then follow up with a question about their thoughts on the experience and how the experience has changed the way he/she would behave in the future. Consider the following topics as they relate to the requirements of the job:

1. Adaptability:

• Tell us about a time when you had to adjust to a colleague's working style in order to complete a project or achieve your common objectives.
• Tell us about a time when you leveraged resources in a difficult budget year.

2. Analytic Problem Solving:

• Tell us about a situation where you had to solve a difficult problem. What was the outcome?
• Tell us about a time when, coming into a new job, you joined a team with good ideas but a lack of resources. How did you apply the team’s ideas? What did the team achieve?

3. Communications:

• What has been your experience in giving presentations to small and/or large groups?
• Tell us about a time when you had to communicate a change in policy or procedure.

4. Creativity:

• Tell us about a problem that you've solved in a unique or unusual way. What was the outcome? Were you satisfied with it?
• What have you learned how to do in the past year?

5. Decision Making:

• Tell us about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it? Were there any negative repercussions?
• Give us a specific example of a time when you participated in a decision reached collaboratively. What was your role in the process? Was the decision different than if you had made the decision unilaterally?

6. Flexibility:

• Please provide a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with which you did not agree.
• What do you do when a colleague repeatedly cancels a meeting?

7. Goal Setting:

• What do you consider to be your greatest career achievement so far, and why?
• Please describe a business goal that you set that you did not reach. What steps did you take? What obstacles did you encounter?

8. Initiative:

• What has been your best or most creative idea during your career? How did you apply it?
• What is the boldest career move you've ever made?

9. Integrity/Honesty:

• Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).
• Tell us about a time when you chose to stand on principle.

10. Leadership:

• Tell us about a team project when you had to take the lead or take charge. What did you do? How did you do it? What was the result?
• Tell us about how you promoted the development of another person in a work environment.

11. Interpersonal Skills:

• Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. How did you handle it? How did the relationship progress?
• Describe a situation where you became an informal leader, even when you didn't have the titular role.

12. Planning & Organization/Time Management:

• Please give us examples of how you prioritize projects and tasks.
• What is your process for managing your calendar?

13. Teamwork:

• Describe a situation where you have had to work as part of a team to achieve a result. What was your role? Is that a common role for you?
• How do you go about getting to know your team and colleagues?

Basic interview questions allow us to expand our knowledge of the candidate's responsibilities, motivation and past experience. The answers to questions 1-4 are the basis for comparing an applicant's current work environment to CSUN's. The answers to questions 5-9 allow a candidate to share their career goals and make a statement about how working at CSUN fits into those goals.

1. Tell us about your current place of work: size, mission, what makes it special.
2. What are your responsibilities in your current position?
3. Who do you report to?
4. How did you get your current position (promotion, transfer, referred, applied)?
5. Why would you consider leaving your current position?
6. What about this position interests you the most?
7. What in your past experience or education prepares you for this position?
8. Tell us about your involvement in professional or trade organizations.
9. What are your professional goals one, five and ten years from now?