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Behavioral interviews evaluate how you handle real-life situations based on your past experiences. Widely used across industries, these interviews require preparation. Salaries for roles involving behavioral interviews range from ₹6 to ₹20 lakhs per year. Become job-ready by mastering the following behavioral interview questions, frequently asked by recruiters. Here we will guide you with the knowledge and confidence to excel in interviews and secure your dream job.
Top Tips and Tricks to Behavioral Interview Questions
Q1. Can you tell me about a time when you had to decide something instantly in a crucial situation?
Q2. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Q3. If you had a superpower, what would it be, and why?
Q4. If you were a puzzle, what kind would you be?
Q5. What bug would you like to be reincarnated as?
Q6. How would you describe the color yellow to someone who is blind?
Q7. What movie or book character would you be, and why?
Q8. Would you rather live 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future? Why?
Q9. If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be, and why?
Q10. If you were a crayon, what color would you be, and why?
We have categorized the Top Behavioral Interview Questions into the following three sections:
Basic Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers
1. Can you tell me about a time when you had to decide something instantly in a crucial situation?
Thinking quickly under pressure is one of my strengths. Last year, our company website went down for over an hour during peak traffic. Our CEO asked me to get it up and running immediately. I was quick on my feet as I evaluated the situation, identified the issue, and worked with our hosting provider to reroute traffic to our backup site until the leading site was restored. Fortunately, our website traffic and revenue were minimally impacted.
2. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
An owl is an animal that I admire; it displays some traits that would be useful in a work environment. Owls are wise, observant, and efficient. Moreover they are great problem solvers when hunting prey and navigating their environment. I want to imitate some of those qualities in my work: to constantly observe and learn, efficiently solve problems, and make wise decisions based on available information.
3. If you had a superpower, what would it be, and why?
If I had a superpower, I would choose the ability to fly. Having an aerial view of the world would provide a unique perspective. The freedom to navigate in three dimensions would inspire creativity and innovative thinking. As an employee, a “bird’s eye view” allows you to see the broader scope and bigger picture of issues and think of solutions that account for the comprehensive system, not just the components. The ability to fly would be a metaphor for achieving greater heights in my work.
4. If you were a puzzle, what kind would you be?
I am a Rubik’s cube. My personality, skills, and experiences have many sides and dimensions. At first glance, those attributes may seem mismatched or chaotic. However, with time and patience, all the pieces can form a comprehensive and unified picture. Solving complex challenges is what motivates and excites me. So I think that a Rubik’s cube is an apt metaphor for the “puzzle” I aim to solve as an employee.
5. What bug would you like to be reincarnated as?
I would like to be reincarnated as a butterfly. The metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a butterfly is a powerful symbol of transformation and growth. As an employee, continuous learning and self-improvement have been priorities in my career. I started in an entry-level role years ago. Through hard work, training, and gaining more experience, I have spread my wings into more senior positions with increasing responsibility. This seems like a caterpillar evolving into a butterfly. I can adapt to change and maintain a sense of grace, beauty, and curiosity about the world.
6. How would you describe the color yellow to someone who is blind?
The color yellow is bright, warm, and cheerful, like the sun’s warm glow on your face. The color yellow is associated with positive feelings of happiness, optimism, and energy. The bold, vibrant shade of yellow powers attention and uplifts moods. That’s how I would capture the spirit of the color yellow for someone without a visual sense.
7. What movie or book character would you be, and why?
I would choose to be the character Atticus Finch from the book To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus is a lawyer who is intelligent, courageous, and morally upright. He accepts the difficulties of his circumstances but still stands up for what is right through his actions and words.
As a father, he cultivates a sense of moral conscience in his children and community. Atticus demonstrates leadership, wisdom, and dignity. These are some of the attributes I admire and would aim for in any role or position.
8. Would you rather live 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future? Why?
I would choose to live 100 years in the future. Living in the past, I would miss out on all of the technological and social progress we have made as a society in the past century. While it may be interesting to experience life in a different era, the future holds more promise for continued innovation to solve significant challenges we still face today, like sustainable energy solutions, cures for diseases, and more breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and automation.
Furthermore, the future is more diverse, open-minded, and full of potential yet unknown experiences I could never foresee today. My curiosity about what the next 100 years may bring and the knowledge and global connectivity that will emerge make the future a more compelling place to explore in theory. Although I look at historical periods with nostalgia, I prefer to charge confidently ahead into the future.
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9. If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be, and why?
I would be a pineapple. Pineapples are sweet and tropical fruits. They symbolize warmth and are refreshing. Moreover, they are prickly on the outside but sweet on the inside. It is similar to how I am: I am reserved upon first meeting someone, but I am friendly and helpful once I develop a relationship. Pineapples are known for their nutritional benefits and how they enhance and brighten whatever they are added to. It is also similar to how I strive to positively impact those around me with my knowledge, skills, and attitude.
10. If you were a crayon, what color would you be, and why?
I would be a gold-colored crayon. Gold symbolizes achievement, value, and wisdom. Challenges are opportunities to grow and achieve more in my career. I strive to create high value through my work. Over time, through both successes and failures, I have gained knowledge and insight that I try to apply to future situations. The color gold represents all of these attributes.
11. What is the one thing you wish you could change about your professional experience?
If I could change one thing about my professional experience, I would have taken on more challenges earlier in my career. Looking back, I now see that stepping outside my comfort zone and volunteering for difficult projects would have helped me grow my skills faster. Facing new challenges is the best way to learn and improve.
12. Are you someone who learns from failures?
Yes, I definitely learn a great deal from my failures and mistakes. Whenever something does not go as planned, I reflect on what went wrong and how I could have approached it differently. Failing at times has helped me to think creatively about solving problems and has made me less afraid to take risks.
13. Can you discuss a situation where you had to negotiate with someone?
In my last role, I had to negotiate with a vendor to reduce costs on a large project. Through multiple discussions, I lowered the price by highlighting areas where work could be simplified or made more efficient. Both sides compromised, and we reached a good deal through respectful communication and understanding of different perspectives.
14. Tell me about a time when you had to work under a lot of pressure. How did you handle that situation?
There was a project with a very tight deadline once. To handle the pressure, I made a schedule and assigned tasks to colleagues. Working extra hours as a team, we finished on time. The pressure pushed me to stay focused, delegate well, and get the job done through cooperation.
15. Can you discuss a time when you had to multitask and manage several projects simultaneously?
In my last role, I often had to juggle multiple projects at once. I used a task list to track deadlines and set priorities. Each day, I focused on one project at a time but revisited my list regularly to ensure all work was moving forward. Even with a busy schedule, managing my time well and compartmentalizing tasks allowed me to successfully complete everything on time.
Intermediate Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers
16. What did you want to be when you were younger? What details or steps did you take to achieve that dream?
When I was young, I wanted to be an astronaut because I found space fascinating. I studied hard in school subjects like math and science. I also learned to fly planes. Even though I did not become an astronaut, those early interests led me to a rewarding career in engineering for an aerospace company.
17. Sell me this pen (or an item on your desk).
This pen is very useful for writing and taking notes. It is comfortable to hold, and the ink flows smoothly without smudges. Using this pen would make tasks easier since writing is not difficult. It is also affordable for the value. The pen will help you work more efficiently and be prepared when ideas come up.
18. Picture yourself in this situation: You are on your way to an important meeting and your car breaks down. What would you do?
I would call the client to reschedule the appointment. Following this, I would put in a call to roadside assistance or a tow truck. I would stay calm, focus on resolving the situation promptly, and avoid being late.
19. You wake up 30 minutes late for work. What steps do you take to minimize the impact?
Get ready quickly, skipping optional morning routines. Call or message my manager to apologize and inform them that I will arrive late. Explain the situation honestly but without unnecessary details. Hurry into work, minimizing distractions and focusing on high-priority tasks to catch up quickly. Work through lunch or stay late to make up for lost time. Take responsibility for the oversight and put in extra effort to avoid any lasting impact.
20. You find $10 on the ground while walking to an important meeting. What do you do?
I would pick up the $10 bill and hold onto it if someone came looking for it. After the meeting, I would ask nearby staff if they had lost any money recently. If no one claims it, I would donate the found money to a charity or drop it in a donation box rather than keep it for myself. While it’s a small amount, it’s still not mine to keep, so I would make an effort first to locate the rightful owner before donating it to a good cause.
21. You're on an important call with a client when your internet goes down. What do you do?
I would remain calm and polite while apologizing to the client for the technical difficulties. I will get their meeting details and promise to follow up as soon as possible to continue the discussion. I would then contact the internet service provider to report the issue and get an estimated timeline for resolution. Once back online, I would immediately call the client, thank them for their patience, and continue the meeting. I would also report the internet downtime to the relevant teams to diagnose and prevent future occurrences.
22. How would you respond if a coworker yelled at you in front of others?
I would stay composed and listen to their concerns, then request to continue the discussion privately. Once alone, I would listen again to understand the root cause of their anger, acknowledge their feelings, and diffuse the situation. I would repeat their concerns to ensure that I have the complete picture, and then clarify any misunderstandings. I would also explain my perspective calmly and suggest a compromise. If emotions are still high, I will suggest revisiting the discussion once tensions have cooled to have a more productive conversation. I will aim to remain professional and attempt to turn this into an opportunity to strengthen the relationship and work environment.
23. Select a famous leader and share how you aspire to develop leadership qualities like them. Explain with examples.
I aspire to develop leadership qualities like Malala Yousafzai. As the world’s youngest Nobel laureate, she advocates for human rights through education, especially for girls and women. Here are some of her leadership qualities that I would seek to emulate:
- Bravery in Adversity
Malala continued championing women’s rights even after facing threats and an assassination attempt. She did not let fear hold her back from her mission. I would aim to show courage in the face of challenges and setbacks at work.
- Passion for Purpose
She is intensely devoted to fighting for equal access to education. I aspire to lead passionately for the organization’s vision and purpose.
- Giving Voice to Important Causes
Malala is an influential spokesperson who goes out of her way to speak up for human rights and education. Like her, I would advocate for important issues with employees, customers, and other relevant stakeholders.
24. You must lay off one team member due to budget cuts. How would you handle this sensitive situation?
I would handle this situation with empathy, honesty, and compassion. I would approach it in the following manner:
- Meet with the HR and finance teams to understand the full picture and reasons behind the layoff before moving forward.
- Plan how and when to sensitively communicate the news of the layoff with the impacted employee. Schedule time for a private and in-person meeting.
- Be transparent about the organizational reasons for the layoff while expressing sincere regret that their role has been affected. Provide official notification in writing.
- Give the employee a fair split package to assist their transition. Offer resources like career coaching or resume assistance.
25. Recount an experience you had working with a diverse group.
I had to work with people from different cultural backgrounds and with different communication styles while working on a project. I had to be respectful, open-minded, and willing to learn from others to ensure that we could work effectively as a team.
26. Tell me about a situation where you had to learn a new skill quickly.
When I joined my last company, they used software I was unfamiliar with. I spent extra hours after work practicing and watching tutorial videos to learn it fast. Within a week, I was proficient enough to use the new software for an important project. Learning quickly helped me hit the ground running and show my value to the team.
27. Describe a time when you successfully resolved a customer/client issue.
A client once complained about a mistake in their order. I listened carefully to understand the problem fully. Then I took responsibility, apologized for the error, and worked diligently to fix it. The client was happy with how quickly I resolved the issue and thanked me for my good customer service.
28. Tell me about a time when you failed.
In my last role, I once missed an important deadline due to poor planning. I took full responsibility for my mistake. I learned from this experience that it is important to create schedules and regularly check that tasks are on track. While disappointing, my failure taught me to be more organized and diligent to avoid issues in the future.
29. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision at work.
Once I had to choose which project to prioritize when resources were limited. Both options were important, so I thought carefully about the pros and cons while considering the company’s goals. After discussing this with my manager, I decided to focus first on the project with the earlier deadline. It was a hard decision, but an important learning experience in determining priorities.
30. Can you talk about a situation where you received constructive criticism?
In a past performance review, my manager pointed out that I could improve by following through on projects until completion. I knew this was true. I thanked her for the feedback and made an action plan to update tasks regularly and set reminders. Implementing her advice helped strengthen my organization and focus.
Advanced Behavioral Interview Questions and Answers
31. One day, you wake up with the ability to become invisible. What would be the first thing you do with this superpower?
Without a doubt, I would sneak into Area 51 to uncover the truth about aliens and UFOs! The power of invisibility would give me a chance to reveal secrets and mysteries without getting caught.
32. If you could live anywhere, where would you live, and why?
I would live on a space station orbiting Earth! Space has been a fascinating element for me, for as long as I can remember. Living on a space station would allow me to experience space in a way that is impossible from Earth. I would see majestic views of the Earth, gaze at the stars without atmospheric distortion, and even float around in microgravity! I believe it would be an incredible opportunity.
33. If you could instantly become fluent in any language, what would it be? Why?
I would become fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Being fluent in Mandarin would open up opportunities to connect with over 1 billion Chinese speakers worldwide. I would use this skill to build cultural bridges, do business in China, immerse myself in the richness of Chinese arts and history, read classical Chinese literature in its original form, and gain insights into a truly ancient and fascinating civilization. The potential benefits of learning Mandarin in today’s global world are hugely impactful.
34. Can you describe a time when you had a conflict with a coworker or manager?
I disagreed with a coworker over the approach to a particular project. I listened to their perspective and shared my ideas, and we came up with a compromise that satisfied both of us and resulted in a successful project outcome.
35. Recount an experience when you had to deliver a presentation to a large audience. How did you prepare for the same, and what was its outcome?
I prepared extensively by researching my topic, practicing my delivery, and seeking peer feedback. The presentation was well received, and I received positive feedback from attendees.
36. How would you motivate a group of disengaged colleagues?
First, I would speak to people individually to understand why they seem disengaged and get their input. Then, I’d make it a priority to address any obstacles or frustrations within my control. I will plan a team event away from work to help build closer connections. During meetings, I’d offer opportunities for everyone to share their voices and recognize contributions to make people feel valued. Morale is hard to improve overnight, so maintaining an open and supportive environment where people feel heard and respected time and time again is key. With time and consistency, motivating active listening, encouraging empowerment, and strengthening the bonds can turn disengagement into meaningful engagement.
37. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to persuade someone to see things your way?
In a previous job, I had to persuade a coworker to adopt a new approach to a project. I presented my ideas with data and evidence, listened to their concerns, and ultimately convinced them to try the new approach, which resulted in a successful project outcome.
38. Discuss a time when you had to resolve a dispute between two parties. How did you approach the situation and resolve the conflict?
Two colleagues had a disagreement that began to affect team dynamics. I met with each person to understand their concerns in confidence. I then brought them together, summarized each perspective objectively, and suggested that we need to resolve this pleasantly for our working relationship and productivity. I facilitated an open conversation to find common ground and compromise. Although there was tension initially, there was also a willingness to resolve the conflict. By identifying key interests and concerns, we negotiated an agreement and plan to improve communication going forward. With time, the relationship was mended as trust was rebuilt.
39. Tell me about a time when you had to work with limited resources.
During my tenure with my previous company, I once had to work on a project with limited resources. For this, I prioritized my tasks and focused on the most critical elements of the project, due to which I was able to meet our goals despite the constraints.
40. Describe a time when you had to coach or mentor someone. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?
Why the interviewer asks this: To assess your coaching and mentoring skills.
I noticed that a new team member was struggling to grasp some key concepts. I scheduled time to sit down with her, asked open-ended questions to determine where the knowledge gaps were, and provided concrete examples to illustrate the concepts. We set up a weekly meeting so that I could provide guidance and encouragement. Over the next month, she made noticeable improvements and soon excelled in her role. The keys were giving her my time and focused attention, listening to understand the issues, and providing nurturing support.
41. Can you discuss a situation where you had to prioritize multiple tasks with conflicting deadlines?
Once, I had four projects all due within the same week. I made a schedule to finish the most important tasks first. For items that could wait, I asked for deadline extensions to free up time for higher priorities. Communicating openly helped my manager understand conflicting due dates. Prioritizing methodically based on impact allowed me to complete everything on time.
42. Tell me about a time when you had to step out of your comfort zone to complete a task or project.
In my last role, I was asked to give a presentation, which made me nervous, as public speaking is not my strength. I prepared well and focused on practicing. On the day, I took deep breaths to calm myself and spoke slowly while looking at my notes. Stepping up gave me confidence, and the presentation went smoothly.
43. Describe a situation when you had to admit a mistake.
Once I shared the wrong files with a client by accident. As soon as I realized my error, I called the client to take responsibility. I apologized sincerely and worked overtime to send the correct files. While admitting the mistake was difficult, doing so right away helped maintain trust with the client.
44. Describe a time when you had to resolve a disagreement among team members.
During one project, two colleagues had different ideas that were slowing progress. I listened to understand each perspective fully before suggesting a compromise. We discussed openly and agreed on the best parts of both approaches. This calmed tensions, so the team could focus on the task.
45. Can you discuss a situation where you had to deliver difficult news or feedback to your team or manager?
I once had to inform my team that a deadline would be missed due to unexpected problems. I took time to explain clearly what happened and outlined a new schedule. While the news was hard, being transparent and accountable helped maintain trust. It also allowed my manager to update clients.