How to prepare for a behavioral interview

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The job-search process can include an element that can seem daunting for some: the behavioral interview. But with a little preparation and the right mindset, you can be confident and well prepared.

Many roles at Accenture require working closely with clients. How you react in certain scenarios is critical to success. Different than assessing your functional or technical knowledge, the behavioral interview evaluates the way you manage and overcome challenging situations.

You’ll be asked a series of questions that aim to understand how you have responded to varying scenarios in the workplace in the past, similar to those you may encounter at Accenture.

Example questions in a behavioral interview at Accenture:

• Tell me about a time you had to manage a challenging project. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?
• Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult client.
• Tell me about a time you had to communicate with an underperformer or a challenging colleague on your team.
• Tell me about a time your ideas or work has been challenged; how did you react?

Six ways to prepare for a behavioral interview:

1. Research. Before any interview, thoroughly research the company so you understand the type of work the business provides to clients. In addition to researching the company, also review the role and think about the challenges you may face.
2. Provide examples. Have two or three examples prepared that illustrate how you overcame challenging scenarios in your current or previous roles. Think about the components of each situation: What was the challenge, who was involved, what did you specifically do and what was the outcome?
3. Be concise. Think about the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method, and structure your answers to provide succinct, concise responses.
4. Listen. Be prepared to listen to the questions carefully and take your time to respond.
5. Stay positive. Highlight the positives of the scenarios you discuss. Do not talk about current or past clients, colleagues or managers in a negative way.
6. Be engaging. Like all interviews, be your best self—confident and articulate.

Ready to take the next step in your career journey? Check out our 5 tips for interview success, and find your fit with Accenture.

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