7 answers
Amari
Student
1
Question
Asked
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How to say in a interview that you haven't done something when ask a behavior question ?
behavior question [tell a time when..]
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7 answers
Eric Packer
Structural engineer
91
Answers
Boise, Idaho
Updated
Eric’s Answer
Amari, from my experience as both an interviewee and an interviewer, depending on your field, many interviewers will ask a large number of questions that will give them a broad understanding of your technical capabilities. But it is not usually expected that you are able to answer all of the questions satisfactorily. Certainly, a prospective employer wants to know if you have the needed skillset for the job, but they also understand that you will not know everything, so they want to know how you will handle situations for which you have little to no knowledge or training. In effect, they want to see how you will solve problems and how you will use your skills to tackle new situations and gain additional knowledge or training. So, just be honest when you do not have experience in regard to a particular question but let the interviewer know how you would approach the problem so that they have confidence that you are critical thinker with the capacity to work through difficult problems. All the best!
Thank you so much, Eric!
Amari
Helen Greene
Human Capital Consulting
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Helen’s Answer
I agree with others responses here, but would like to add one other thing to think about.
Typically "behavioral interviews" are pretty broad questions that come in just a few main buckets:
- Tell me about a time when you succeeded/set a goal and achieved it
- Tell me about a time when you failed/experienced challenges
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict/interpersonal difficulties/a difficult teammate/worked with someone different from you
- Tell me about a time when you worked on a complex problem/juggled multiple priorities
There are other buckets of course: check out this list for more - https://www.themuse.com/advice/behavioral-interview-questions-answers-examples
But ultimately there are only a few different flavors of these types of questions, which means you can prepare in advance to have a story for each type of question ready to go. I recommend literally writing down the different stories you have for each type of question and have an idea of which stories can flex in how you tell them to meet different needs (ex. a story about a team project could answer questions about working with a team, communication, handling different opinions, etc.).
Then in the interview, you just have to listen carefully for what flavor of question is being asked and adapt your prepared story to match the question they asked you.
If you look at a bucket on this list of behavioral question types and your first instinct is you don't have an experience relevant to that bucket, I would encourage you to think a bit further and do some introspection on what a relevant story might be. As a human, it is likely you've had some type of failure, success, challenge, and interaction in your life. I would not recommend answering "Tell me about a time you've failed" with "I've never failed" - I'm sure you've had some type of failure or mistake you can talk about authentically to answer the question, and it helps to be prepared in advance with what those stories might be.
Good luck!
Typically "behavioral interviews" are pretty broad questions that come in just a few main buckets:
- Tell me about a time when you succeeded/set a goal and achieved it
- Tell me about a time when you failed/experienced challenges
- Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict/interpersonal difficulties/a difficult teammate/worked with someone different from you
- Tell me about a time when you worked on a complex problem/juggled multiple priorities
There are other buckets of course: check out this list for more - https://www.themuse.com/advice/behavioral-interview-questions-answers-examples
But ultimately there are only a few different flavors of these types of questions, which means you can prepare in advance to have a story for each type of question ready to go. I recommend literally writing down the different stories you have for each type of question and have an idea of which stories can flex in how you tell them to meet different needs (ex. a story about a team project could answer questions about working with a team, communication, handling different opinions, etc.).
Then in the interview, you just have to listen carefully for what flavor of question is being asked and adapt your prepared story to match the question they asked you.
If you look at a bucket on this list of behavioral question types and your first instinct is you don't have an experience relevant to that bucket, I would encourage you to think a bit further and do some introspection on what a relevant story might be. As a human, it is likely you've had some type of failure, success, challenge, and interaction in your life. I would not recommend answering "Tell me about a time you've failed" with "I've never failed" - I'm sure you've had some type of failure or mistake you can talk about authentically to answer the question, and it helps to be prepared in advance with what those stories might be.
Good luck!
Jackie Swider
Food Flavor Regulatory Specalist
1
Answer
Elgin, Illinois
Updated
Jackie’s Answer
When you're confronted with a behavioral question and don't have a specific example at hand, it's still possible to respond effectively. You can do this by acknowledging the situation and proposing an alternate strategy. Here's a guide on how you can respond:
Recognize the Situation: Start off by admitting that you don't have a particular example to share, but assure that you're ready to give a pertinent response.
Showcase Your Relevant Skills: Highlight any related skills or experiences you possess that could be useful in the context of the question.
Propose a Hypothetical Scenario: If it's suitable, you can devise a hypothetical situation that illustrates how you would manage a similar scenario based on your comprehension of the necessary skills.
Reveal Your Eagerness to Learn: Display your enthusiasm to learn and adapt swiftly to new situations, emphasizing your proactive stance towards skill enhancement.
Here’s a sample response:
"Although I can't think of a specific example right now, I can definitely discuss how I would handle a situation like this. In my past roles, I've tackled challenges that demanded [mention relevant skills, e.g., problem-solving, teamwork, communication]. For example, if confronted with [describe hypothetical situation], my approach would be to [outline your approach based on your skills and knowledge]. I'm always ready to learn and would cherish the chance to gain more experience in dealing with situations similar to the one you've mentioned."
This strategy proves that you're truthful about your experience while still showcasing your potential and enthusiasm for the role. It also highlights your ability to think analytically and apply your skills to new challenges.
Recognize the Situation: Start off by admitting that you don't have a particular example to share, but assure that you're ready to give a pertinent response.
Showcase Your Relevant Skills: Highlight any related skills or experiences you possess that could be useful in the context of the question.
Propose a Hypothetical Scenario: If it's suitable, you can devise a hypothetical situation that illustrates how you would manage a similar scenario based on your comprehension of the necessary skills.
Reveal Your Eagerness to Learn: Display your enthusiasm to learn and adapt swiftly to new situations, emphasizing your proactive stance towards skill enhancement.
Here’s a sample response:
"Although I can't think of a specific example right now, I can definitely discuss how I would handle a situation like this. In my past roles, I've tackled challenges that demanded [mention relevant skills, e.g., problem-solving, teamwork, communication]. For example, if confronted with [describe hypothetical situation], my approach would be to [outline your approach based on your skills and knowledge]. I'm always ready to learn and would cherish the chance to gain more experience in dealing with situations similar to the one you've mentioned."
This strategy proves that you're truthful about your experience while still showcasing your potential and enthusiasm for the role. It also highlights your ability to think analytically and apply your skills to new challenges.
Thank you so much, Jackie!
Amari
Your advice was so helpful!
Amari
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6179
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Amari,
Sure, I’d be happy to help you with that! When facing a behavioral interview question that you don’t have a direct experience with, there are a few strategies you can use to answer the question effectively. Here are some steps you can follow:
1. Understand the question
Before you answer, make sure you understand the question being asked. Take a moment to process the question and think about what the interviewer is looking for.
2. Relate the question to your skills or experiences
Even if you don’t have direct experience with the behavior or situation being asked, you can still relate it to your skills or experiences. Think about how you can draw parallels between the question and your own background.
3. Use a hypothetical example
If you don’t have any relevant experiences to draw from, you can use a hypothetical example to illustrate your point. Be sure to make it clear that you are using a hypothetical example and not something that has actually happened to you. Here’s an example:
Interviewer: “Can you tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult coworker?”
You: “While I haven’t had to deal with a difficult coworker in a professional setting, I can imagine a situation where I might have to. For example, if I were working on a team project and one of my team members was not contributing their fair share of the work, I would address the issue directly with them. I would explain my concerns and try to come up with a solution that works for everyone.”
4. Be honest
If you truly don’t have any experience or skills related to the question being asked, it’s okay to say so. You can still demonstrate your problem-solving skills and willingness to learn by acknowledging the gap in your experience and explaining how you would approach the situation if given the opportunity. Here’s an example:
Interviewer: “Can you tell me about a time when you had to lead a team through a difficult project?”
You: “I haven’t had the opportunity to lead a team through a difficult project yet, but I am eager to take on that challenge. Based on my experiences in group projects and leadership roles in extracurricular activities, I would approach the situation by setting clear goals and expectations for the team, establishing open communication channels, and providing regular feedback and support.”
Remember, honesty is always appreciated in an interview setting. It’s better to be upfront about your limitations than to try to fake your way through an answer and end up looking insincere or unqualified. By being honest and demonstrating your willingness to learn, you can still make a positive impression on the interviewer.
Authoritative References Used:
“Cracking the Coding Interview” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell (book)
“How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions” by Indeed Editorial Team (article)
“The Ultimate Guide to Answering Behavioral Interview Questions” by The Balance Careers (article)
God Bless.
JC.
Sure, I’d be happy to help you with that! When facing a behavioral interview question that you don’t have a direct experience with, there are a few strategies you can use to answer the question effectively. Here are some steps you can follow:
1. Understand the question
Before you answer, make sure you understand the question being asked. Take a moment to process the question and think about what the interviewer is looking for.
2. Relate the question to your skills or experiences
Even if you don’t have direct experience with the behavior or situation being asked, you can still relate it to your skills or experiences. Think about how you can draw parallels between the question and your own background.
3. Use a hypothetical example
If you don’t have any relevant experiences to draw from, you can use a hypothetical example to illustrate your point. Be sure to make it clear that you are using a hypothetical example and not something that has actually happened to you. Here’s an example:
Interviewer: “Can you tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult coworker?”
You: “While I haven’t had to deal with a difficult coworker in a professional setting, I can imagine a situation where I might have to. For example, if I were working on a team project and one of my team members was not contributing their fair share of the work, I would address the issue directly with them. I would explain my concerns and try to come up with a solution that works for everyone.”
4. Be honest
If you truly don’t have any experience or skills related to the question being asked, it’s okay to say so. You can still demonstrate your problem-solving skills and willingness to learn by acknowledging the gap in your experience and explaining how you would approach the situation if given the opportunity. Here’s an example:
Interviewer: “Can you tell me about a time when you had to lead a team through a difficult project?”
You: “I haven’t had the opportunity to lead a team through a difficult project yet, but I am eager to take on that challenge. Based on my experiences in group projects and leadership roles in extracurricular activities, I would approach the situation by setting clear goals and expectations for the team, establishing open communication channels, and providing regular feedback and support.”
Remember, honesty is always appreciated in an interview setting. It’s better to be upfront about your limitations than to try to fake your way through an answer and end up looking insincere or unqualified. By being honest and demonstrating your willingness to learn, you can still make a positive impression on the interviewer.
Authoritative References Used:
“Cracking the Coding Interview” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell (book)
“How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions” by Indeed Editorial Team (article)
“The Ultimate Guide to Answering Behavioral Interview Questions” by The Balance Careers (article)
God Bless.
JC.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Amari
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
105
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Amari, Oh the daunting interview questions! First take a big breath! For this question you might say you do not have an exact answer to fit but are willing to make a guess. For instance, "if I were to find myself in such a situation...I might..." Take your time, be true to yourself, leverage your own unique skills and abilities. Perhaps you have an answer, but it was experienced by someone else. "I know someone who experienced this...And they responded..." You can then share your opinion about how they dealt with the situation or how you might have dealt with it differently. What you want to showcase is your problem-solving ability and how you can remain calm in the face of a stressful situation (job interview). Let your personality shine through! Try practicing interview questions with a peer to make it easier to respond when finding yourself stuck or tongue-tied. Good luck!
I appreciate your support, Annah
Amari
Nikolaos Zormpas
Global Manager – Digital Services Offerings / Technology, Software & Services Offerings Marketing
88
Answers
Athens, Greece
Updated
Nikolaos’s Answer
Hi Amari,
Please allow me to start by telling you that it's important to remember that the interviewers have likely reviewed your resume and will try to ask questions relevant to your background. If they ask about a specific experience you haven't had, it's important to be honest about your lack of direct experience and maintain your credibility by clarifying this upfront. However, you can always identify and describe a situation that required similar skills or had comparable challenges. This would allow you to also show that you can adapt and apply your abilities to new situations.
Always emphasize your willingness to learn and your excitement about the opportunity to face new challenges(like the one asked you about) in the role you're applying for.
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
Nikolas
Please allow me to start by telling you that it's important to remember that the interviewers have likely reviewed your resume and will try to ask questions relevant to your background. If they ask about a specific experience you haven't had, it's important to be honest about your lack of direct experience and maintain your credibility by clarifying this upfront. However, you can always identify and describe a situation that required similar skills or had comparable challenges. This would allow you to also show that you can adapt and apply your abilities to new situations.
Always emphasize your willingness to learn and your excitement about the opportunity to face new challenges(like the one asked you about) in the role you're applying for.
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
Nikolas
Thank you so much, Nikolaos!
Amari
Ishaan SAHNI
Software Engineer 1
8
Answers
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Updated
Ishaan’s Answer
Hi Amari
In my past experiences both as an interviewer and as an interviewee, I can tell you to be honest throughout your interview. Always remember that if you haven't experienced a certain situation, this wouldn't impact your interview. Instead, you could get some marks for honesty.
Please understand the question the carefully, try to approach the question in a methodological manner and be honest with yourself and the interviewer.
You'll do just fine.
All the Best!
In my past experiences both as an interviewer and as an interviewee, I can tell you to be honest throughout your interview. Always remember that if you haven't experienced a certain situation, this wouldn't impact your interview. Instead, you could get some marks for honesty.
Please understand the question the carefully, try to approach the question in a methodological manner and be honest with yourself and the interviewer.
You'll do just fine.
All the Best!