How can I boost my performance in behavioral interviews?
You are unique 
, and your holistic profile likely makes you a very strong match for a role. However, the employer won’t know this unless you show them through the stories in your professional narrative, which include strategic and powerful answers to behavioral interview questions. When practicing your answers to behavioral interview questions, think: could someone else give the same answer? If the answer is yes, where can you add depth, individuality, intentionality, creativity, or exciting moments to your answers? In other words, how can you make it a story, and not a list of facts?
Here are 3 things about your professional & academic journey (your story!) so far that are hard for an employer to glean from your resume alone, but you need them to know:
a. Intentionality: What exactly helped you decide to pursue the path you are currently pursuing (a class, project, professional experience?)
b. Genuine Interest: Why is this type of work genuinely interesting to you? Know why you prefer this type of work and be ready to give specific examples from your past. This shows your ability to self-reflect and understand your genuine interests (which reassures the employer that you’re more likely to stay and be engaged in the work/team/firm).
Don’t underestimate the value here – hiring is costly and time-consuming. Employers want to hire for the long term when they can, and they want to create teams of employees who are excited about the work. A strong demonstrated passion/interest could tip the scales in your favor.
c. Holistic Profile: Your unique combination of SKILLS (quantitative, business, teamwork) + BACKGROUND (relevant industry, academic, or extracurricular experience) + GENUINE INTEREST in the work (see above) + how you NATURALLY OPERATE (that would benefit the employer)
- What do we mean by “naturally operate?” This is how you innately function, work, and think. In other words, your talents. To put words these talents into words, the CDO provides each student with the opportunity to take the CliftonStrengths assessment. This assessment takes less than 30 minutes, and afterward, you receive a report that provides a detailed explanation of your unique talents (i.e. how you naturally operate). The language in the report is powerful
, unique to you, and when weaved into your professional narrative, adds much-needed depth and authenticity to your story.
Have questions about how to do this? Meet with your career advisor to strategize the best ways for you to answer these questions based on your personal and professional background. Let’s bring in more data from your impressive background to tell a memorable story!
