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Mastering the Art of Behavioral Interviewing: The Key to 2024 Hiring?

Written by: Roger Lear
Published on: Dec 19, 2023

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It's hard to find great people to hire lately. In the ever-evolving landscape talent acquisition, the traditional methods of evaluating candidates based solely on technical skills gradually give way to a more holistic approach. Many companies have switched to behavioral interviewing as a tool to gain deeper insights into candidates' capabilities, decision-making processes, and interpersonal (soft) skills. Once hired, companies provide advanced training and are discovering an excellent return on investment.

Behavioral interviewing is rooted in the belief that past behavior strongly predicts future performance. Unlike traditional interviews that focus on hypothetical scenarios, behavioral interviews require candidates to share specific examples from their past experiences. By doing so, HR professionals can assess a candidate's ability to handle challenges, work in a team, adapt to change, and demonstrate key competencies essential for success in the desired role.

Here are three strategies to help you better understand what you can do to establish a behavioral interview process.

1. Develop a Targeted Questioning Strategy

Crafting practical behavioral interview questions is a skill that HR professionals must cultivate. Instead of generic questions, design questions targeting the competencies and skills crucial for success in the specific role. For example, if teamwork is a critical aspect of the position, ask candidates to describe a situation where they had to work with a diverse team to achieve a common goal.

Tailoring questions to the job requirements ensures the responses provide relevant insights into a candidate's fit for the role. Using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method can also structure responses and facilitate a more in-depth understanding of a candidate's thought processes and decision-making abilities.

2. Create a Comfortable Interview Environment

Building rapport and creating a comfortable environment is crucial for extracting authentic responses from your candidates. Nervousness or discomfort can hinder candidates' ability to articulate their experiences effectively. HR professionals should strive to establish a connection with candidates from the beginning, emphasizing the interview as a two-way conversation rather than an criminal interrogation.

Consider starting the interview with an icebreaker or casual conversation to ease tension. Communicate the purpose of behavioral questions, assuring candidates that their responses will be kept confidential and used solely for assessing their suitability for the role. A relaxed and open atmosphere encourages candidates to share more genuine and insightful examples from their professional journey.

3. Train Your Interviewers for Consistency and Fairness

Consistency in applying behavioral interviewing across different interviewers is paramount to ensure fair and unbiased assessments. HR professionals should conduct training sessions for interviewers, emphasizing the importance of standardized questioning and evaluation processes. This training helps maintain a uniform standard and reduces the risk of unconscious biases affecting hiring decisions.

Your hiring team should develop a set of core questions aligned with the company's values and the position's specific requirements. Regular calibration sessions can further refine the process, allowing interviewers to share insights and collectively enhance the effectiveness of behavioral interviewing within the organization.

Mastering the art of behavioral interviewing is an invaluable skill for HR professionals aiming to identify the best talent for their organizations. As the recruitment landscape evolves, embracing behavioral interviewing as a cornerstone of the hiring process will contribute to building resilient, high-performing teams poised for success.