Behavioral Interview Questions Answers | HR Training Courses in Chennai

Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure.

I had been working on a key project that was scheduled for delivery to the client in 60 days. My supervisor came to me and said that we needed to speed it up and be ready in 45 days, while keeping our other projects on time. I made it into a challenge for my staff, and we effectively added just a few hours to each of our schedules and got the job done in 42 days by sharing the workload. Of course, I had a great group of people to work with, but I think that my effective allocation of tasks was a major component that contributed to the success of the project.

How do you handle a challenge? Give an example.

One time, my supervisor needed to leave town unexpectedly, and we were in the middle of complicated negotiations with a new sponsor. I was tasked with putting together a PowerPoint presentation just from the notes he had left, and some briefing from his manager. My presentation was successful. We got the sponsorship, and the management team even recommended me for an award.

Have you ever made a mistake? How did you handle it?

I once misquoted the fees for a particular type of membership to the club where I worked. I explained my mistake to my supervisor, who appreciated my coming to him, and my honesty. He told me to offer to waive the application fee for the new member. The member joined the club despite my mistake, my supervisor was understanding, and although I felt bad that I had made a mistake, I learned to pay close attention to the details so as to be sure to give accurate information in the future.

Give an example of how you set goals.

Within a few weeks of beginning my first job as a sales associated in a department store, I knew that I wanted to be in the fashion industry. I decided that I would work my way up to department manager, and at that point I would have enough money saved to be able to attend design school full-time. I did just that, and I even landed my first job through an internship I complected the summer before graduation.

Give an example of a goal you reached and tell me how you achieved it.

When I started working for XYZ Company, I wanted to achieve the Employee of the Month title. It was a motivational challenge, and not all the employees took it that seriously, but I really wanted that parking spot, and my picture on the wall. I went out of my way to be helpful to my colleagues, supervisors, and customers- which I would have done anyway. I liked the job and the people I worked with. The third month I was there, I got the honor. It was good to achieve my goal, and I actually ended up moving into a managerial position there pretty quickly, I think because of my positive attitude and perseverance.

Describe a decision you made that wasn’t popular, and explain how you handled implementing it.

Once, I inherited a group of employees when their supervisor relocated to another city. They had been allowed to cover each other’s shift without management approval. I didn’t like the inconsistencies, where certain people were being given more opportunities than others. I introduced a policy where I had my assistant approve all staffing changes, to make sure that everyone who wanted extra hours and was available at certain times could be utilized.

Explain what is empathy in terms of EQ?

In terms of empathy is the ability to understand how other perceive situations, It includes knowing how others feel about a particular set of circumstances or events.

Explain what ways you can successfully resolve a conflict?

Manage stress quickly while remaining calm and alert.
Control your behavior and emotions.
Listen for what is felt as well as said.
Be willing to forgive.
Focus on the present.
Know when to let something go.

Mention what does a good model to build EQ in the workplace includes?

A good model to build EQ in the workplace includes

Training
Evaluation

Explain what is personal competence is about?

Personal competence is about

Self Awareness
Self Regulation

Mention what are the two factors that may be responsible for resistance to change?

The two factors that may be responsible for resistance to change may be

Fear of the unknown
Possible job losses

Explain how people with better EQ deal with difficult people?

People with better EQ, they would deal with difficult people in following ways

They establish boundaries with difficult people
They focus on solutions and not on the problems
They focus on their strength and weaknesses
They use previous experience with difficult people
They ignore negative talk
They don’t involve any types of conflict with difficult people
They get disconnect themselves with difficult or negative situations
They stay connected with the likeminded people for support.

List out the tips to improve the nonverbal communication?

To improve the nonverbal communication, you can follow the following tips

Focus on the other person
Make eye contact
Pay attention to nonverbal cues.

Explain how emotional awareness strengthens nonverbal communication?

It helps you respond in ways that show others that you understand, notice and care
It creates trust in relationships by sending nonverbal signal that match up with your words
It reads the unspoken messages that they are sending.

Mention what are some strategies you can employ to develop your self-control?

Strategies you can employ to develop your self-control are

In stressful conditions, analyze the “self-talk” that drives your emotional reactions
Introduce a pause before speaking
Give adequate thought to the impact of your words and actions on other.

List out the traits of high EQ for Social Expertness?

For social expertness, the traits of high EQ should have

Building relationships
Collaborating with others (inviting)
Ability to resolve conflicts
Ability to understand and maneuver within organizations

Mention what are the characteristics of emotionally intelligent people?

The characteristics of emotionally intelligent people are

They keep lines of communication open even when they are frustrated
Identify the situation quickly when others are affecting their emotional state
Express their care for others
Are open to feedback
Get well and quickly with the mood of the room
Only speak out when it helps the situation.

Mention what are the mistakes that emotionally intelligent people should never make?

Five mistakes that emotionally intelligent people should never make are

Not paying attention to non-verbal signals
Do believe that emotions should play a role in business or decision-making
Don’t be impatient
Getting easily offended
Letting negative emotions reign due to regret or guilt feeling

For which of this option this statement is applicable – “Positive affirmations are effective in boosting self-esteem”?

People with low self-esteem but not for people with high self-esteem
People with high self-esteem but not for people with low self-esteem
No one.

It is true for (b)

Why EQ or emotional intelligence is related to a person’s thinking or working ability?

All information to the brain propagates through our senses, and when this information is stressful or emotional, our instinct take over and we lose the ability to act or react. Also, our memory is strongly linked to emotion. By staying connected to the emotional part of the brain, persons thinking capability and decision-making ability enhances. This is why EQ is related to the person’s thinking or working ability.

Why EQ question should be asked in an interview?

EQ question should be asked in interview to check if

The person has a strong understanding of the driving force behind his behavior.
Is the candidate’s reaction is intentional or does he/she react to something or someone.
Is the candidate defensive? Is he self – aware.
Do the candidates reveals much about him or herself.

Mention what are the emotional intelligence or EQ is commonly split into?

Emotional intelligence is commonly defined into five traits

Self regulation: The ability to control where necessary, redirect your emotions and impulses, adapting to changing circumstances.
Self awareness: It is an ability to understand your strength, emotions and goals and their importance.
Empathy: It is an ability to relate and understand the feelings of others
Motivational skills: It is an ability to push yourself towards a certain goal or outcome
Social skills: It is ability to communicate well with others and building relationship.

Explain how can you present project presentations for clients and executives?

You can present project presentations for clients and executives in the following manner:

When communicating with management avoid complex project documentation.
Create a graphical project presentation using Excel, Power point presentation, etc.
Use Gantt chart to show the tasks and how it will be initiated.
Present the major milestones or deliverables of a project schedule.
Highlight key aspect- like summary of the project, what are the set expectation and how it will be achieved.

Explain how can you present complex task or project into simplified way?

To present complex task or project into simplified way, you need to follow the following steps:

Write down the task and break it down
Convert big project or task into microtasks
Break down your time and use time management tools
Multitask wherever you can
Stay organized
Work smarter not harder.

Explain how you prioritize work when everything is a priority?

When everything is priority, you could use the following approach

Make a list of all your tasks
Identify task important vs. urgent
Identify the task that holds the highest value to your organization and business
Target those topic first whichever one you think will take the most effort to complete
Be adaptable and flexible to the task
May happen that not everything in the list can be achievable, focus on the priorities that you can complete.

Explain what if your client ask to work on a project outside the specialization?

If you or your colleagues don’t have skill, who can work on a project that your client demanded it’s better to deny by telling that the project requires expertise, and you don’t have the bandwidth. To give a good impression to your client, you can even offer your client to help him/her find someone to do this work.

Explain what would you do if you are not hired for an internal position within your company?

If I am not hired for an internal position within my company, I am committed to the company and its progress. If I am selected, I will work with and support

whoever might get selected. Also, I will keep looking for the position in this field that suits my experience and goals.

How would you deal with the work that is criticized by your boss or supervisor?

In a situation like this remind yourself that no one is always perfect. But the important thing is to learn with such situations and make sure the mistake does not happen over again.

Explain how you handle a situation where at the workplace you met with resistance while introducing a new idea or policy?

To implement new idea or policy it is usually difficult, to implement idea new at the work center, I will provide all the supportive evidence or proof which can prove that the implementation of new idea would be beneficial.

Why did you choose your major in college?

This helps ascertain whether you have always known what you wanted in life, or whether you simply chose the path of minimal resistance. The question also helps the interviewer note if you have a true passion for your field. Here, you might want to point out things like you are true to your craft and continually learning by taking night time classes or earning a professional certification etc. This will help them know that you have a true passion for the field.

Explain what if you realize at deadline time that a report you wrote to your supervisor is not to the par?

If I realize that at deadline time a report that I wrote to my supervisor is not to the par, my first reaction would be to inform my supervisor or boss. Also, I will see if there is any chance of rectifying the error, and if not I will evaluate the cause behind the error.