What do you do if you're asked about a challenging experience in a behavioral interview?

Behavioral interviews are a common way for employers to assess your skills, personality, and fit for a job. They often ask you to describe a specific situation where you faced a challenge, how you handled it, and what you learned from it. This type of question can be tricky, but with some preparation and strategy, you can ace it. Here are some tips on how to do that.

1 Choose a relevant example

The first step is to pick a challenging experience that is relevant to the job you are applying for. Ideally, it should showcase your skills, abilities, and values that match the role and the company. Avoid examples that are too personal, negative, or irrelevant. For instance, don't talk about how you dealt with a family crisis, a bad boss, or a failed project. Instead, focus on a professional challenge that you overcame with your actions, not luck or external factors.

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2 Use the STAR method

The second step is to structure your answer using the STAR method. This technique is widely used to help organize stories in a clear and concise way. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. The Situation is where you describe the context and background of the challenge you faced, providing enough detail for the interviewer to understand the problem and why it was important. The Task explains your goal or responsibility in that situation. The Action describes the specific steps you took to address the challenge, highlighting the skills, behaviors, and decisions that helped you overcome the obstacle. Lastly, the Result explains the outcome of your actions, quantifying the impact or benefit of your solution if possible. It's also important to mention what you learned or improved from the experience.

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3 Practice and refine your answer

The third step is to practice and refine your answer before the interview. Write down your example using the STAR method and review it for clarity, relevance, and length. Aim for a concise but detailed answer that lasts no more than two minutes. Avoid rambling, exaggerating, or blaming others. Practice saying your answer out loud and get feedback from a friend or a mentor. Make sure your answer sounds natural, confident, and authentic.

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Alexia Wong

Tuition teacher. Earned Community Top Voice Badge in Teaching in '23 and Community Top Voice Badge in Cybersecurity in '24.
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If you are asked about a challenging experience in the interview, you should first practice and refine your answer before the day comes. This is so that you can give the best answers. You should practice it in front of your mentor or friends. This is so that they would be able to give you feedback on your answers. If you think that the answers are not good enough, you need to refine it. Sometimes just changing the wording can make a difference.

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4 Be prepared for follow-up questions

The fourth step is to be prepared for follow-up questions from the interviewer. They may ask you to elaborate on some aspects of your story, such as your thought process, your challenges, your emotions, or your alternatives. They may also ask you how you would apply your learning to a similar situation in the future. Be ready to answer these questions with honesty and consistency. Don't contradict or change your original story. Use them as an opportunity to demonstrate your reflection, growth, and adaptability.

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Alexia Wong

Tuition teacher. Earned Community Top Voice Badge in Teaching in '23 and Community Top Voice Badge in Cybersecurity in '24.
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You must also be prepared for follow-up questions. This is because interviewers want to know more about that experience. You must make sure that your answers for the follow-up questions are consistent and related to the original answers. This is to show that you are telling lies. You must know how to elaborate on the answers if you were asked to be more detailed about that challenging experience. This is to show that you are not just citing the incident, but rather you remember clearly the incident.

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5 Show enthusiasm and positivity

The fifth step is to show enthusiasm and positivity throughout your answer. Remember that the interviewer is not only interested in what you did, but also how you did it and how you felt about it. Show them that you enjoy facing challenges and learning from them. Emphasize the positive aspects of your experience, such as the skills you gained, the relationships you built, or the value you added. Avoid complaining, criticizing, or expressing regret. Instead, show gratitude, appreciation, and optimism.

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6 Connect your answer to the job

The sixth step is to connect your answer to the job you are applying for. Explain how your challenging experience has prepared you for the role and the company. Highlight how your skills, values, and goals align with those of the employer. Show them that you are a good fit for their culture and expectations. Also, express your interest and enthusiasm for the job and the company. This will help you stand out from other candidates and leave a positive impression on the interviewer.

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Alexia Wong

Tuition teacher. Earned Community Top Voice Badge in Teaching in '23 and Community Top Voice Badge in Cybersecurity in '24.
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You must know how to connect your answer to your job. This is to show that you are the right one for the job. When citing the challenging experience, you must make sure that you know how to clearly state the values that you possess that helped solved the problem. This is to show how valuable you are as a worker. You must also tell the interviewer how eager you are to get this job. You must state how you can help the company solve these type of problems. This is to show what you are worth.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if you're asked about a challenging experience in a behavioral interview?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Choose a relevant example

2 Use the STAR method

3 Practice and refine your answer

4 Be prepared for follow-up questions

5 Show enthusiasm and positivity

6 Connect your answer to the job

7 Here’s what else to consider

Writing

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What do you do if you're asked about a challenging experience in a behavioral interview?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Choose a relevant example

2 Use the STAR method

3 Practice and refine your answer

4 Be prepared for follow-up questions

5 Show enthusiasm and positivity

6 Connect your answer to the job

7 Here’s what else to consider

Writing

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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