8 Key Themes You Should Be Preparing For Your Behavioral Interviews
Behavioral questions at FAANG and tier-1 tech companies' interviews can generally be categorized into several themes. I consolidated them into 8 categories.
In my previous article, I demonstrated the contrast between weak and strong responses to a real-world behavioral interview question. Given that there can be hundreds of such questions, preparing for them can be daunting. To help you structure your preparation for your next big tech company behavioral interview, I've categorized these questions into eight broad themes.
This article outlines these categories, providing bullet points of relevant themes for each, along with an example question. Hopefully this will equip you with a strategic framework to tackle a wide range of behavioral questions confidently and effectively.
1. Customer/User Focus Stories
These stories showcases your ability to prioritize and enhance the customer experience. They might include:
Improving user experience
Handling customer complaints
Going above and beyond for clients
Example Question: "Give an example of a time when you had to deal with a particularly challenging customer or user issue. What was the problem, and why was it difficult to resolve? How did you approach understanding the customer's needs? What steps did you take to address the issue? What was the final resolution, and how did you ensure customer satisfaction?"
I have shared example of weak and strong answer to this question in the article.
2. Success Stories
The interviewers would like to hear about your ability to deliver results and handle challenges. Think about stories along the lines of:
Achievements and accomplishments
Overcoming significant challenges
Innovative solutions or improvements
Example Question: "Tell me about a time when you significantly exceeded expectations on a project or task. What were the initial goals, and how did you go above and beyond? What strategies did you use to achieve results, and how did you measure your success?"
3. Failure Stories
Interviewers are interested in how you handle adversity and grow from experiences. Prepare stories that showcase:
Projects that didn't meet expectations
Mistakes with significant consequences
Failures to anticipate major problems or challenges
Example Question: "Tell me about a time when you failed to meet an important goal or deadline at work. What was the situation? What factors contributed to the failure? How did you handle the aftermath? What lessons did you learn, and how have you applied them since?"
4. Conflict Stories
Interviewers want to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate challenging situations. Prepare examples that showcase:
Dealing with difficult colleagues or clients
Resolving team disagreements
Navigating workplace dynamics
Example Question: "Describe a situation where you had a conflict with a colleague or team member. What was the source of the conflict? How did you approach resolving it? What steps did you take to maintain a professional relationship afterward? How did this experience change your approach to workplace conflicts?"
5. Problem-Solving Stories
Interviewers aim to understand your analytical thinking and creative approach to challenges. Prepare examples that illustrate:
Tackling complex challenges
Making decisions with limited information
Implementing process improvements
Example Question: "Give an example of a complex problem you encountered at work that required an innovative solution. What made this problem particularly challenging? Walk me through your problem-solving process. How did you implement your solution? What was the result, and how did you measure its success?"
6. Learning/Growth Mindset Stories
Interviewers look for examples of your adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement. Share examples that demonstrate:
Learning new skills quickly
Handling change or uncertainty
Embracing feedback for personal improvement
Example Question: "Describe a time when you had to learn a completely new skill or technology that was crucial for your role or a project. What was the situation, and why was this new skill necessary? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? How did you apply this new knowledge, and what was the outcome?"
7. Leadership Stories
These anecdotes showcase your ability to guide, influence, and develop others:
Motivating and inspiring team members
Navigating conflicts or difficult decisions
Developing and mentoring others
Example Question: "Tell me about a time when you had to lead a team through a particularly challenging situation or project. What was the context, and what specific leadership challenges did you face? How did you approach motivating your team and keeping them aligned towards the goal? What was the outcome of the project, and how did this experience shape your leadership style moving forward?"
8. Time Management Stories
Interviewers are looking to assess your ability to organize, prioritize, and deliver under pressure. Consider examples that highlight:
Meeting tight deadlines
Prioritizing tasks
Balancing multiple responsibilities
Example Question: "Describe a period when you had to manage multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously. What were the tasks, and why were they all critical? How did you prioritize them and your time? What tools or techniques did you use to stay organized? How successful were you in meeting your deadlines, and what would you do differently if faced with a similar situation?"
As you prepare for your next big tech interview, tailor your preparation to your specific career stage, role, and level, recognizing that some themes may be more relevant than others for your unique situation. Use them as a framework to reflect on your experiences and craft compelling stories that showcase your skills and potential. Also, let me know what crucial behavioral interview themes have I missed that you've encountered in your tech interview experiences.
It's important to note that the best interviews feel more like conversations than interrogations. Use these categories as a starting point, but don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. Tech companies aren't just looking for skills – they're looking for colleagues who will contribute to their culture and drive innovation. By preparing thoughtful responses around these themes, you'll be ready to engage in meaningful dialogue about your experiences and potential.
Now, it's time to start practicing. Your next big opportunity awaits!