Behavioral Interviews and 4 stories you should know by heart!

Last week we talked about the basics of behavioral interviews — simple tips and how to start prepping your stories. But there's more you need to know before you walk into that interview:

I vs. We: When you're telling your story, you need to be clear about what you did versus what the team did. Most companies are interviewing you for the role — not your entire team. I know it feels uncomfortable to walk in and say "me me me" the whole time, but here's a simple fix: start with "the team I was a part of..." and then zoom in on your contribution. You can even weave it in naturally — "we met as a team and I recommended a strategy." It's a good balance, especially if your interviewer is old school about the whole "I" thing.

Talk about the outcomes: What happened in the end? You have to say it out loud — even if you didn't deliver on time, even if it didn't go perfectly. They need to know you can look at a result, good or bad, and talk about it honestly.

What did you learn? What would you do differently? What mistakes did you make? And please — don't EVER say "I didn't make any mistakes" or "there were no mistakes." Hindsight is 20/20 and we can always do things better. Saying there were no mistakes doesn't make you look polished. It makes you look like you're not willing to grow and learn.

Don't pass the blame: Nobody likes the person who shows up to every story with "well it wasn't my fault." Take ownership of your part. Think about what you could have done differently to get a better outcome. The interview is your chance to show what you're made of — and part of that is showing that you're someone who grows.

Now, let's talk about the 4 stories you should have in your head at all times during the job search process:

• A time when you failed: We have all failed and interviewers want to know whether you are someone who can own up to it or hide from it.

  
  

• A time when you succeeded: They're checking if you actually know why it worked out well. Because if you know why it worked out well, you can replicate it in the future.

  
  

• When you had to manage a difficult colleague or stakeholder: This question is about your emotional maturity and conflict resolution. Can you have a tough conversation?

  
  

• When you missed a deliverable or project: Missing a deadline doesn't disqualify you, it makes you human and humans want to hire humans.

Most behavioral interview questions are just variations of these four. Because at the end of the day, interviewers are trying to figure out who you are as a person — someone they're going to spend 8 or 9 hours a day with. These stories give them that answer.