Selecting the right employee for an organization is a critical task that demands a thorough assessment of an individual's alignment with standards and desired behaviors. Behavioral interviewing stands out as a pivotal component in the employee selection process, offering valuable insights into a candidate's past behavior to predict future actions. This article delves into the nuances of behavioral interviewing, providing an in-depth understanding of its significance, the traits to evaluate, and effective preparation strategies.
Decoding Behavioral Interviewing
Behavioral interviewing is an approach that probes a candidate's past experiences through real-life situations to evaluate their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Also known as competency-based interviewing (CBI) or behavior-based interviewing (BBI), this method operates on the premise that past behavior is a reliable predictor of future actions. Each role comes with specific behavioral competencies that should be showcased during the interview to align with the company's culture and define the position's requirements.
Traits to Assess in Behavioral Interviewing
Problem-Solving:
Evaluate the candidate's ability to navigate challenges and find effective solutions.
Assess their problem-solving approach in various scenarios relevant to the job role.
Stress Management:
Gauge how the candidate handles pressure and stress in the workplace.
Understand their coping mechanisms and ability to remain composed in demanding situations.
Credibility:
Assess the candidate's honesty and trustworthiness in past professional experiences.
Look for instances where they demonstrated integrity and earned credibility.
Leadership (for Management Roles):
For managerial positions, evaluate the candidate's leadership abilities.
Assess their capacity to lead others and persevere in challenging situations.
Technical Competencies and Behavioral Interviewing
While the aforementioned traits are universal, technical competencies play a crucial role, especially in industries like accounting. The ability to merge technical proficiency with behavioral competencies is vital. Behavioral interviews in the accounting field may focus on communication, attention to detail, problem-solving, initiative, and follow-through, in addition to technical skills.
Why Behavioral Interviewing Matters
Behavioral interviewing is not just a procedural step; it adds substantial value to the organization by facilitating the selection of the right candidate from the outset. Making a poor hiring decision can lead to various adverse effects:
Costs of Finding and Training a New Employee:
The financial implications of recruiting and training a new employee can be substantial.
Behavioral interviewing minimizes the risk of a bad hire, saving costs associated with turnover.
Loss of Productivity:
A mismatched employee can contribute to decreased productivity and disrupt team dynamics.
Behavioral interviewing aims to select candidates who align with the organization's goals, reducing the risk of productivity loss.
Low Morale:
A poor fit may impact team morale, leading to dissatisfaction among existing employees.
Behavioral interviewing strives to identify candidates whose attitudes and behaviors positively contribute to the workplace environment.
Poor Customer Retention and Reduction in Sales:
A candidate's behavior can influence customer interactions and satisfaction.
By selecting candidates with the right behavioral competencies, organizations enhance customer relations and potentially increase sales.
Types of Interviews and Why Behavioral Interviewing Stands Out
While traditional and situational interviews are alternatives, behavioral interviewing stands out as the most effective. Here's why:
Traditional Interview:
- Asks direct questions with generic answers.
- Candidates can rehearse responses, and interviewers may struggle to gauge real knowledge, skills, or abilities.
Situational Interview:
- Relies on hypothetical questions.
- May not accurately predict a candidate's actions in practical scenarios.
Behavioral Interview:
- Utilizes real-life situations to assess past behavior.
- Predicts future behavior based on specific competencies required for the job.
- Provides a comprehensive understanding of a candidate's capabilities and alignment with organizational values.
- Preparing for a Behavioral Interview
- Effective preparation is key to conducting successful behavioral interviews. Follow these steps:
Job Analysis:
- Understand the position thoroughly through a detailed job analysis.
- Outline responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs), minimum hiring requirements, and qualifications.
Job Description:
- If not already available, create a comprehensive job description.
- Include an overview, responsibilities, KSAs, preferred qualifications, and minimum requirements.
- Collaborate with HR professionals or employment attorneys to ensure legal compliance.
Identify Competencies:
- Identify technical skills required for success.
- Administer a short skills assessment for roles like accounting to gauge proficiency.
- Define competencies aligned with the role's essential duties.
Define Positive and Negative Indicators:
- Establish indicators for each competency, both positive and negative.
- Reflect organizational values in the indicators.
Create a Rating Scale:
- Develop a rating scale for assessing candidates based on competencies.
- Ensure fairness and avoid discriminatory practices.
Write Questions:
- Craft behavioral interview questions using a structured formula:
- Opening starter
- Competency-based action
- Qualifiers for further explanation
- Questions like "Tell me about a time when..." or "Describe a situation in which..." work well.
The STAR Method in Behavioral Interviewing
The STAR method is a structured approach to evaluating candidate responses, especially in management positions. Each letter represents a crucial aspect of the candidate's response:
S-Situation: Provide an overview of the situation.
T-Task: Explain the tasks required in that situation.
A-Action: Specify the candidate's actions in response to the situation.
R-Results: Describe the results achieved.
Probing for additional insight is essential, using both positive and negative indicators as evaluation criteria.
Conducting the Interview
Interviewers should create a conducive atmosphere for candidates. Some key aspects include:
Greeting and Small Talk:
Greet candidates warmly and engage in small talk to ease tension.
Avoid discriminatory questions related to family, language, or religion.
Interview Structure:
Follow a structured agenda, including an introduction to the organization, an explanation of the interview process, details about the position, and an opportunity for candidate questions.
Candidate Evaluation:
Study the candidate's resume in advance and formulate questions.
Keep organized notes to distinguish between candidates.
Use a separate pad for notes, avoiding writing on resumes.
Encourage Candidate Engagement:
Allow candidates to do most of the talking.
Maintain a positive and relaxed demeanor.
Interview Duration and Evaluation
Standard interviews typically last about an hour, incorporating six to eight behavioral interview questions. Every candidate should face the same set of questions for fairness. Evaluation notes should align with the established rating scale to support final assessments.
Unlocking the Benefits of Behavioral Interviewing
Understanding and implementing behavioral interviewing techniques is a strategic move that can yield significant benefits for organizations. By asking the right questions and effectively assessing candidates based on competencies, employers can save time, costs, and potential disruptions caused by a mismatched hire. Behavioral interviewing, when done correctly, not only identifies the right talent but also contributes to a positive work environment, ensuring organizational success in the long run.
For candidates preparing for behavioral interviews, comprehensive insights and guidance can be found in the "Job Interview Manual," offering valuable tips to navigate the interview process successfully. Embrace behavioral interviewing as a powerful tool in the selection process, and witness the positive impact it brings to your organization's overall effectiveness and success.