本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Behavioral Questions:
1. Tell me about a time when your work was criticized. What was your reaction?
2. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a superior. How did you handle the situation?
3. Tell me about a time when you were asked to do something with which you disagreed. How did you handle it?
4. Give me an example of when you worked as a member of a team. What was your contribution to that team? Tell me about the most difficult situation you have had to deal with. How did you handle it? What was the outcome? What did you learn from the experience?
5. Give me an example of a situation where your own behavior offended another person. Why? How did you resolve it?
6. Tell me of a time when you had to give bad news to somebody.
7. Describe a situation where you had to plan the work of others.
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1. Tell me about your life at College or University (or even your time in your previous job).
The question is an opportunity for you to demonstrate the qualities that the interviewer is seeking in for the job, so orientate your answer towards these expectations (without distorting the truth obviously).

In your answer, emphasize the positive behaviour, experience and achievements (ideally backed up with examples and evidence) which will impress the interviewer because of its relevance to the role requirements.

The interviewer is looking for the same capabilities and behaviour in your college (or university or previous job) life that they want in the job.

Your emphasis should be on your achievements, and how you achieved them, that are relevant to the job requirements.

Your emphasis should be on your achievements, and how you achieved them, that are relevant to the job requirements.

Interviewers with special interest in behaviour and personality may also use a question like this to assess your self-awareness and maturity, in the way you consider your answer and relate it to your own experience and development

2. What do you want to be doing in 2/5/10 years time?
Or: Where do you want to be in 2/5/10 years time?

It's not easy to answer this in terms of job expectation - no-one can realistically predict what job will be required in 5-10 years, let alone whether they will be right to do it, so I'd avoid specific job aims or claims, unless you actually have a very clear plan, and are seeking a job and career which clearly offers predictable and structured progression.

For most people and roles, which are largely unpredictable, this question is best and easiest answered in terms of the sort of situation you'd like to be in, which should reinforce all the other good things about yourself, for example:

"Making a more significant contribution to whatever organization I'm working for. To have developed new skills, abilities, maturity - perhaps a little wisdom even. To have become better qualified in whatever way suits the situation and opportunities I have. To be better regarded by my peers, and respected by my superiors as someone who can continue to increase the value and scale of what I do for the organization."

"I'd like more responsibility, because that's a result of personal growth and progression, and it's important for my personal satisfaction."

"I have no set aspirations about money and reward - if I contribute and add value to the organisation then generally increased reward follows - you get out what you put in."

"Long term I want to make the most of my abilities - if possible to build a serious career, but in this day and age nothing is certain or guaranteed; things can change. I'll do my best and believe that opportunities will arise which will enable me to keep contributing, increasing my worth, and developing my ability in a way that benefits the organization and me."

Employers will respond well if they see that you are mature, independent, self-motivated; that you will make a positive and growing contribution, and that you understand that reward (financial, promotion, responsibility, etc) will always be based on the quality and value of your input.

3. Give an example of when you had to settle a dispute between two individuals.
This depends on your relationship to the two people, so seek clarification if this is not clear, but broadly the aim is to first take any heat out of the situation by calming the individuals. Then firmly arrange a three-way discussion later in the day or an early opportunity in the future, in a suitable environment (closed meeting room), at which you can facilitate a proper discussion of the issues, so as to arrive at an agreed positive way of going forward or compromise. It's important to understand each person's standpoint and feelings, without agreeing with them, unless the argument concerns a clear breach of policy or wrong behaviour, in which case the transgressor should be counselled separately, after which the three-way meeting can be held to mend relationships. Arguments come in all shapes and sizes - a more specific answer is possible in response to a more specific scenario.

4. What is your ideal job?
Mindful of the trap possibilities, the interviewee would always do well to qualify the question by asking for a timescale (at what point in my career?) before answering. This shows that some consideration is taking place rather than a knee-jerk, and that the question is producing a serious response rather than a fanciful one.
Aside from this, the best answer to the question, as for any interview question, is to use the opportunity to sell the strengths of the interviewee as a potential asset to the organisation. This would produce an answer that creates a picture of a loyal, results-orientated person, making a significant contribution to the organisation (status and level would depend on timescale). If the answer is poor it will trigger a probing follow up that puts pressure on the interviewee to justify a daft response. If the answer is impressive there probably won't be a follow-up as there's nothing to probe and the interviewer can move on. Wrong answers would include: 'boss of my own company' 'your job' 'the top salesman on half a mill a year' 'CEO of this company' (unless you can justify the claim) a pop star, a railway engine driver, a film star, etc Good answers would include: 'A manager or executive with this organisation in (function relative to experience and skill set) where I have the responsibility and accountability for using my skills and efforts to achieve great results, work alongside great people, and get a fair reward.' 'I'd like to become an expert in my field (state function if relevant), where I'm able to use my skills and abilities to make a real difference to the company's performance.'

5. Why do you want this job?
Reflect back the qualities required and job priorities as being the things you do best and enjoy. Say why you think the company is good, and that you want to work for an organisation like it.

6. What did you achieve in your last job?
Prepare a number of relevant examples and explain one (two or three if they're punchy and going down well). Make sure you feature as the instigator, or the factor that made the difference. Examples must lead to significant organisational benefits; making money, saving money/time, improving quality, anticipating or creatively solving problems, winning/keeping customers, improving efficiency.

7. How would you approach this job? How would you do it?
Identify the two or three main issues and say how you'll deal with them, which shows you can focus on what's important. Likely to be planing and organising, ensuring all the communications and relationships are working well, reviewing and measuring activities and resources against outputs and improving where possible. Emphasize your personal strengths that are very relevant to the role requirements.

8. What are your strengths?
Prepare three that are relevant to the requirements of the role. Be able to analyze why and how you are strong in those areas. Mix in some behaviours, knowledge and experience and well as skills, and show that you understand the difference. Style should be quite confidence rather than arrogant or over-confident.

9. What are your weaknesses?
Start by saying that you don't believe you are actually 'weak' in any area. Acknowledge certain areas that you believe you can improve, (and then pick some relatively unimportant or irrelevant areas). If you must state a weakness these are the clever ones that are actually strengths: not suffering fools gladly; sometimes being impatient with other people's sloppy work; being too demanding; refusing to give in when you believe strongly about something; trying to do too much, etc, etc.

10. What would your references say about you?
Another opportunity to state relevant strengths, skills and behaviours.

11. How do you handle tension/stress?
Say that you tend not to get tense or stressed because you plan and organize properly. Say you look after the other things that can cause stress - health, fitness, diet, lifestyle, etc. Talk about channeling pressure positively - thinking, planning, keeping a balanced approach.

12. What was the last book you read and how did it affect you?
Be honest, as the interviewer might have read it too. There's no shame in admitting to lightweight reading material if that's what you like - put it in context, why you read it, and give a positive result, whatever it is. Be able to give an intelligent reaction to what you've read. Don't be too clever or try to impress as nobody likes a smartass.

13. What does/did your father do for a living?
Tell the truth - be proud whatever he did. Don't be judgemental, ashamed or critical.

14. Tell me about a big challenge or difficulty you've faced; how did you deal with it?
Avoid anything deeply personal or seriously emotional unless you are in complete control of your feelings about it. Try to prepare an example that's work-related and relevant to the role.

15. Tell me about something recently that really annoyed you.
Don't get trapped into admitting to a temper or loss of control. Say you tend to get more annoyed with yourself than with other people or other situations. Annoyance isn't very productive, so you tend to try to understand and concentrate on finding a way around a problem or putting things straight.

16. Give me some examples of how you have adapted your own communicating style to deal with different people and situations.
Prepare this as one of your strengths, as there's not a single job that won't benefit from good adaptive communication skills. Give examples of how you've been detailed and given written confirmation for people who need it. Give examples of how you verbally enthuse and inspire the people who respond to challenge and recognition. Think of other examples of adapting your style to suit the recipients. Give examples when you've had to be task-driven, process driven, people-driven, and how you change your style accordingly. A chance for you to truly shine.

17. What type of people do you get on with most/least?
Say generally you get on with everyone. Say you respond most to genuine, positive, honest people. If pressed as to people you don't get on with, say

18. Excellent answer - now can you give me an example that wasn't so good?
You may be hit with this if you're too contrived or clever, in which case give an example of something that didn't quite go so well, but make sure you present it positively and say what you learned from it. Don't try to stick to your guns and maintain that you're perfect - show a little human weakness.

19. Give me an example of when you've produced some poor work and how you've dealt with it.
Don't admit to having produced poor work ever. Say you've probably made one or two mistakes - everyone does - but that you always do everything you can to put them straight, learn from them and made sure you'll not make the same mistake again.

20. What do you find difficult in work/life/relationships (etc)?
Pick a relatively irrelevant skill and say that you don't find it as easy as you'd like, so you're working on it (don't just make this up - think about it and be truthful). Don't own up to a weakness in an area that's important to the role. As with the weaknesses question, you can state certain difficulties because they are actually quite acceptable, even commendable, they'd include: suffering fools gladly, giving up an impossible task, tolerating unkind behaviour like bullying, having to accept I can't help certain big problems in the world, etc.

21. How do you plan and organize your work?
Planning and writing a plan is very important. I think how best to do things before I do them, if it's unknown territory I'd take advice, learn from previous examples - why re-invent the wheel? I always prioritize, I manage my time, and I understand the difference between urgent and important. For very complex projects I'd produce quite a detailed schedule and plan review stages. I even plan time-slots for activities that aren't in themselves organized, like thinking time, and being creative, solving problems, etc.

22. How much are you earning?/do you want to earn?
Be honest about what you've been earning and realistic about what you want to earn.

23. How many hours a week do you work/prefer to work?
It varies according to the situation. I plan and organize well, so unless there's a crisis or unusual demand I try to finish at a sensible time so as to have some time for my family/social life/outside interests. It's important to keep a good balance. I start earlier than most people - you can get a lot done before the phones start ringing. When the pressure's on though I'm happy to work as long as it takes to get the job done. It's not about the number of hours - it's the quality of the work that you do; how productive you are.

24. Do you make mistakes?
Be honest. Yes of course on occasions, but I obviously try not to, and I always try to correct them and learn from them.

25. (Follow above question with) - Can you share your mistakes with others?
Absolutely I can - I get the guidance I need, and it may help prevent others from making the same mistake.

26. How to do measure your own effectiveness?
By the results that I achieve, and that I achieve them in the most positive way. If there isn't an existing measure of this I'll usually create one.

27. How do you like to be managed /not like to be managed?
Be truthful, but express positively. I'm generally very adaptable to most management styles. In the past I've helped my bosses get the best out of me by talking to them and developing a really good understanding. I work best when I'm given freedom and responsibility to take some of the load off my boss's shoulders - they have enough to deal with. Do not respond to the negative and give any example of how you do not like to be managed.

28. What personal goals do you have and how are you going about achieving them?
Prepare for this - be able to state your personal and career goals - keep them reasonable, achievable and balanced. Explain how you see the steps to reaching your aims. An important part of achieving progress is planning how to do it. Be able to demonstrate that you've thought and planned, but also show that you are flexible and adaptable, because it's impossible to predict the future - the important thing is to learn and develop, and take advantage of opportunities as they come along.

29. How do you balance work and family/social commitments?
Say balance is essential. All work and no play isn't good for anyone, but obviously work must come first if you want to do well and progress. Planning and organizing my work well, and getting results, generally means that I have time for my outside interests and there's no conflict.

30. Why should we appoint you?
You have a choice here as to how to play this: you can either go for it strongly, re-stating your relevant strengths - behaviour, experience and skills, or you can quietly confidently suggest: I don't know the other applicants, so it would be wrong for me to dismiss their claims. However, I am sure that I have all the main attributes the role requires, which, combined with determination and positive approach, should ensure that I'd be a very good choice. (If management progression/succession is seen as a benefit then you must refer to your willingness to develop and take on greater responsibilities in the future.)

31. What can you do for us that other people cannot?
I don't know the other applicants, but generally I excel at . . . (pick your strengths that most fit with what they're seeking). Introduce some behavioural and style strengths as well as skills, and show you know the difference between them.

32. Tell me about yourself.
You must rehearse this one. Have ready a descriptions of yourself and why you're like it. Don't just spout a lot of standard adjectives, say why you are like you are. Don't ramble on and tail off. make a few clear statements and finish.

33. What makes you mad?
Nothing really makes me mad - it's not a good way to deal with anything. Certain things disappoint or upset me - rudeness, arrogance, spitefulness (pick any obvious nasty traits or behaviours, particularly behaviours that you believe your interviewer will personally dislike too.)

34. What do you think of your last boss/employer?
Don't be critical. If possible be generous with praise and say why, giving positive reasons. If there was a conflict don't lie, but describe fairly and objectively without pointing blame.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net