by Jeff Lipschultz
The reason employers ask behavioral questions is to understand how the job candidate handles different -- often difficult -- situations, demonstrating their "soft skills." Behavioral questions typically start with, "Tell me about a time when you..." or "Describe how you have handled..." or "Give me an example of..." or even "Walk me through..."
While these questions may feel like a trap when you are asked, that’s really not the employer’s intent (most of the time). Behavioral interview questions typically focus on common problems faced at work. Employers are looking for examples that you have demonstrated key soft skills.
Typically, the employer’s expectation is that how you have handled a situation in the past is a predictor of how you will handle it in the future.
