What is the purpose of Behavioral Event Interviews?

Behavioral Event Interviews aim to explore a candidate's past experiences, focusing on their specific behaviors, thoughts, and feelings in various situations. This method acknowledges that past behavior is one of the best predictors of future behavior in similar contexts. By asking candidates to recount particular incidents—how they handled challenges or worked within a team—interviewers gain insight into the candidate’s problem-solving abilities, emotional intelligence, and fit within the company culture.

This approach contrasts sharply with merely assessing technical skills, which does not provide a complete picture of how a candidate might perform in real-world scenarios. It also differs from the idea of standardizing the hiring process, as the nature of behavioral interviews may involve a more personalized and flexible dialogue, allowing for deeper insights rather than a rigid question-and-answer format. Lastly, while company performance is a critical consideration for organizations, Behavioral Event Interviews are primarily focused on individual candidates rather than on evaluating broader organizational outcomes.