Behavioural Interviews - Tips and Secrets for Making Career Changes

Behavioural interviews are the brainchild of industrial psychologist, Tom Janz. They are often tricky and since being introduced in the 1980s, studies show that 30% of employers ask behavioural interview questions. If you are ready to make those much needed career changes, this article will show you simple yet powerful ways to outshine your competitors at behavioural interviews. Read this article if you're serious about building the career of your dreams.

1. Define Career Goals - It is crucial to first of all define what you want to achieve from the behavioural interview. Are you aiming for an average performance or do you dare to be outstanding? Are you seeking valuable interview experience or are you prepared to make serious career changes? Does the role fit in nicely with your long term career goals or will it merely be a stopgap? Before you start preparing in earnest for the interview, you should first establish what you want to achieve career wise.

2. Snoop Around - Interviewers are searching for multi talented individuals with behaviours and skills that will add real value to their organisations. They provide ample clues via job adverts and provide information on demand through special career advisors. Before the interview, make plans to sit-in at the hiring department in order to observe the skills and behaviours that the new role demands. Find out more about the company by visiting its website, speaking to its staff, reading press articles and asking people for helpful information.

3. Dissect the Ad - Pay particular attention to the style in which job ads are written because they reveal a lot about the company in question. A breezy style suggests that the company is informal in its approach and a serious tone is typical of conservative firms. Read the ad at least five times then grab a pen and map out three sections on blank paper. In the first section, write down all the skills and talents required for the job, in the second section write the behaviours required of you (e.g. ambitious, friendly, eager to learn etc) and in the third section list your prospective employers cherished values.

4. Make Believe - Your chances of success will be higher if you put yourself in the interviewer's shoes. Imagine for a second that you are the person conducting the behavioural interview. Would you hire yourself? What sort of candidate would you want to interview? What talents and attributes would you find relevant to the job role? Write down your thoughts and ideas on a separate sheet of paper and incorporate these perspectives into your interview preparation.

5. Dig Deep - Before attending your behavioural interview, take time to find hidden talents and discover your purpose in life. Employers love behavioural questions because they reveal talents and behaviours that interviewees may not even be aware of. E.g. By narrating how you managed difficult co-workers, you are indirectly demonstrating excellent people skills. However, interviewees who know themselves to be talented people managers will prepare case studies that showcase their people management skills to maximum advantage. Greater self awareness also enhances confidence.

6. Get Clued Up - Go back to the lists of desirable talents and behaviours and tick off the ones you genuinely possess. Reflect on your career history, paying mind to the ways you have demonstrated these talents and behaviours in the past. E.g. if adaptability is one of the desirable behaviours, ask yourself when you have had to adjust to changes over which you had no control. Rehearse possible interview questions relating to the talents and behaviours you copied from the job advert.

Behavioural interviews are not difficult for those who have taken the time to find hidden talents and discover their life's purpose. By passionately communicating how your talents, behaviours and long term goals benefit your prospective employer, you can put yourself miles ahead of your competitors and make the career changes you desire.

Article Source: http://www.classesandcareers.net/education

Ogo Ogbata is a multi-talented writer, speaker and consultant. Through her work at CreativityandSense.Com she empowers people to find hidden talents, discover their purpose and create financially rewarding work that makes them happy. She also helps businesses motivate staff and increase profitability. CLICK HERE to receive 2 Free Gifts when you sign up for a series of motivational articles, success stories and powerful strategies guaranteed to help you create the lifestyle of your dreams. You can also CLICK HERE to read the full step by step guide to succeeding at behavioural interviews.

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