How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions (Like a PRO!)

Are You Ready for Your Next Interview?
behavioral-style interview questions
Behavioral-style interview questions are some of the toughest and most important questions you’ll encounter in your next real estate interview. 
 
In this blog, I’ll give you a four-step formula for answering them like a pro. 
 
Let’s dig in. 

Behavioral-Style Interview Questions

Behavioral-style interview questions typically start with things like, “tell me about a time when,” or, “can you give me an example of a time when?” These are situational questions where the interviewer wants to know about how you did something in the past, and they’re looking for specifics. Now, why do we torture you with these types of questions? Well, the best predictor of future performance is past performance!
 
Simply put: we want to know how you behaved in certain situations in the past in the hopes of predicting how you’ll likely behave in similar situations in the future. 
 
Now, because these questions are so open-ended, these are the kinds of questions where interviewees tend to get lost, and they start rambling. That’s why you need a plan. 
 

The STAR Method

We’re going to use the STAR method for answering behavioral interview questions. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Results. You can keep this acronym in your mind as you’re answering these questions during an interview so that you don’t get lost.

Situation is setting the scene for your story. So who was involved? What was going on? Your answer is not going to work unless you tell the right story about the right situation. So make sure that you really do understand the question before you kind of dig into your story.

Task is where you state your responsibility in the situation. Maybe it was a task that you were given or a project that you took on. Often, you can combine the situation and the task in one or two sentences. Short, sweet, and to the point.

Action is the meat of your story. This is where you discuss what actions you took, your thought process as you dealt with the task or challenge in front of you, and where you get the rich context for your story

Results is where you tie it up with a bow. You want to wrap up your story on a positive note, even if the question is about a negative topic, like making a mistake. Make sure that you finish with positivity and that you really put a fine point on the lessons learned, the improvements you made, and the results you generated in that situation! 

What About You?

Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with somebody at work. Now, remember, construct your words. Try to be brief. Your answer shouldn’t take longer than about 2 minutes. And that’s why practice makes perfect!

Are you ready to start applying for jobs? Check out our job board to start looking for your next big opportunity. 

VANESSA ROSENBLUM

Pro R.E.A. Staffing & Hire LAB Founder

Continue the conversation with her here.

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