Notes FreeCodeCamp Master Behavioral Interviews

Slide Deck : Google Slides

**What’s In it**

• The STAR method.
• How to Prepare, Research, and Present.
• Categories of Behavioral Interviews.
• 50 Behavioral Questions and their Answers.
• Dealing with easy and difficult questions.
• Non-verbal communication.
• Resources and follow-ups.

Types of Interviews

Understanding Behavioral Interviews

• Explanation: Interviews focused on past behavior as a predictor of future performance.
• Purpose: To assess suitability based on real-life examples.

Behavioral vs. Traditional Interviews

• Focus on real-life experiences vs. hypothetical questions
• Assess soft skills and problem-solving abilities
• Example-driven vs. general questioning.

Why Behavioral Interviews Matter

• Accurate predictor of job performance
• Helps identify candidates with the right Mind set.
• Reduces hiring biased

The STAR Method Explained

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result

Breaking Down the STAR Method

• Situation: Setting the context for your story,
• Task: Describing the challenge or responsibility.
• Action: Detailing the steps, you took.
• Result: Highlighting the outcomes and learnings.

Identifying Your Strengths and Weaknesses

• Methods to identify personal strengths
• Acknowledging and addressing weaknesses

Reflecting on Relevant Past Experiences

• How to recall and select job-relevant experiences
• Structuring your experiences for interview storytelling

Dive Deep into Job Requirements

• Analyzing the job description
• Matching skills and experiences with job requirements

Company Culture and Values

• How to Research
• How company values align with personal values

Teamwork & Collaboration

• Cooperation
• Empathy
• Open-Mindedness

Problem-Solving

• Critical Thinking
• Analysis
• Creativity
• Logic

Adaptability

• Resiliency
• Flexibility
• Agility

Communication

• Interpersonal skills
• Listening
• Articulation
• Diplomacy

Leadership

• Responsibility
• Initiative
• Accountability
• Vision

Teamwork & Collaboration

1. Give an example of a challenging & successful team project you were a part of. • What made it successful and what made it challenging?
2. Tell a time when you had to deal with a difficult client or coworker.
3. Can you describe a time when you had to deal with a team member who wasn’t pulling their weight?
4. How do you handle a situation where you disagree with a supervisor?

5. Describe when you had to use your understanding to lead a team.

6. Can you talk about a time when you had to coordinate with different departments to complete a project?
7. Tell me about a time when you had to rely on your presentation skills to influence someone’s opinion.
8. Describe a situation where you had to resolve an interpersonal conflict at work.
9. How do you approach working in a diverse and inclusive team environment?
10. Can you give an example of how you have motivated others?

Problem Solving

1. Describe a project where you had to use your problem-solving skills.
2. Tell about a time when you made a mistake. How did you handle it?
3. Describe a situation where you had to be particularly attentive to details. How did you handle that?
4. Can you talk about a time when you had to persuade others to see things your way?

5. Tell me about a time when you showed initiative at work.

6. Describe a situation where you had to take the lead on a project.
7. Can you give an example of a time when you went above and beyond your job duties?
8. Tell me about a time when you had to innovate to solve a problem.
9. Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision quickly.
10. How do you approach learning new skills or technologies? Provide an example.

Adaptability

1. Tell me about a time you had to adapt to a significant change in the workplace.
2. Describe a situation where you had to gather information from multiple sources. How did you determine which information was most relevant?
3. Can you talk about a time when you had to work under pressure?
4. How do you handle meeting tight deadlines?

5. Describe a time when you had to learn something new in a short period. How did you manage?

6. Tell me about a time when you had to adapt your communication style to suit a particular audience.
7. Describe an instance where you had to work with limited resources.
8. Can you talk about a long-term project you managed? How did you keep everything moving along in a timely manner?
9. Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities and how you handled it.
10. Describe a situation where you had to be patient in order to achieve your goal.

Communication

1. Describe a situation where you had to use your communication skills to resolve a conflict.
2. Tell me about a time when you had to give critical feedback to someone. How did you approach it?
3. Describe a project where you took a creative approach to solve a problem.
4. Can you provide an example of a time when you had to juggle several projects at the same time?

5. How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple projects to handle?

6. Describe a time when you had to use your negotiation skills.
7. Tell me about a time when you had to manage conflicting priorities.
8. How do you handle constructive criticism?
9. Can you describe a time when you had to communicate complex information clearly?
10. Describe a situation where you had to actively listen to someone to understand their perspective.

Leadership

1. Give an example of a goal you set and how you achieved it.
2. Have you ever had to make an unpopular decision? How did you handle the feedback?
3. Have you ever worked on a project that failed? What did you learn from that experience?
4. Can you give an example of how you have handled a high-stress situation?

5. Tell me about a time when you had to take responsibility for an error made by someone else.

6. How do you assess the success of a project? Give an example.
7. Tell me about a time when you had to decide without all the information you needed.
8. Describe a situation where you had to analyze data and make a recommendation. What approach did you take?
9. Have you ever faced an ethical dilemma at work? How did you handle it?
10. Describe a situation where you took a risk and it paid off.

Dealing with Difficult Questions

• Understanding Difficult Questions:
• Weaknesses or Failures:
• Strategies for Thinking on Your Feet:
• Stay calm and composed.
• Use the pause to organize thoughts.
• Apply the STAR for structure.
• Example

Incorporating Emotional Intelligence

• Importance of Emotional Intelligence
• Demonstrating Empathy and Self-Awareness
• Balancing Professional and Personal Anecdotes
• Emotional Intelligence in Action

Non-verbal communication

• Body Language
• Eye Contact
• Facial Expression
• Use of Space
• Virtual Interview

Preparation Strategies

• Write some stories and experiences.
• Practice STAR.
• Do Mock.
• Be in the moment.

Resources

• Book:
• Cracking The Coding Interview
• 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions
• Online Courses: LinkedIn learning, Coursera, Udemy
• Website: Levels.fyi, Glassdoor
• Reddit: r/jobs, r/interviews, r/cscareerquestions