Behavioural Questions: Basics
What is a behavioural interview question?
A prompt about a specific past situation and what you did (often starts with “Tell me about a time…”).
What should you do within 24–48 hours after your interview?
Send a tailored thank-you email referencing the conversation, restating fit, and showing appreciation.
What do you think makes someone a great team player?
Communication, reliability, willingness to help, constructive feedback, and focus on team goals.
How do you typically approach solving a new problem?
Clarify the goal, break down into parts, gather information, analyse options, choose, test, and review.
What personal values guide your decisions at work?
Examples: integrity, respect, collaboration, accountability; answer should link values to decision-making.
What does STARR stand for?
Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection.
Pre-interview prep: name two basics to research.
The company and the role/job description.
If two teammates were in conflict, what would you do as a team member?
Listen to both sides, find common ground, encourage direct discussion, and focus on shared objectives.
If you had very limited data to make a decision, what would you do?
Identify what’s critical, make assumptions explicit, decide with best available info, and adjust as data comes in.
If your manager asked you to do something you felt was slightly unethical, what would you do?
Clarify expectations, raise concerns diplomatically, suggest alternatives, and follow company policy.
Why do employers use behavioural questions?
To predict future performance from evidence of past behaviour
HR round: what three topics are smart to ask about at the end?
Success metrics, next steps/timeline, and training/culture.
Tell me about a time you supported a teammate who was struggling.
Use STARR; show empathy, practical help, and impact on team performance.
Tell me about a time you spotted an error before it became a bigger issue.
Use STARR; highlight attention to detail, preventive action, and positive impact.
Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate or manager due to your values.
Use STARR; explain the situation, your perspective, how you addressed it respectfully, and outcome.
What makes a strong behavioural answer in one line?
A clear action you took and a specific, preferably quantified, result.
If a recruiter calls at a bad time, what should you do first?
Politely ask to reschedule, confirm their name, company, role, and next steps.
Tell me about a time you aligned a diverse group with conflicting opinions.
Use STARR; show facilitation, compromise, and measurable outcome.
Tell me about a time you solved a complex problem with limited resources.
Use STARR; show prioritisation, creativity, collaboration, and measurable result.
Tell me about a time you had to choose between company goals and personal ethics.
Use STARR; describe conflict, values considered, your decision, and how you managed consequences.
After describing your result, what should you add to show growth?
One sentence on what you learned and how you’ve applied it since.
Salary expectations — fictional job: Business Analyst internship in Madrid. Give a strong salary answer.
“Based on market data and my experience, I’m targeting €X–€Y. I’m open to discussion. Beyond pay, I value learning, team, culture, flexibility, and projects.”
Do you prefer working in a team or independently? Why?
Balanced answer: independence allows focus and accountability, teamwork brings diversity of ideas and bigger impact. Best candidates show flexibility.
How do you prioritise when everything feels urgent?
Assess deadlines and impact, clarify expectations with stakeholders, focus on high-value tasks, communicate proactively.
Tell me about a time you had to defend your values even when it risked conflict or rejection.
Use STARR; show integrity, courage, negotiation or compromise, and positive learning or resolution.