This approach to interviewing focuses on examples of how you have applied your skills. Behavior-based interviewing is built on the premise that past behavior predicts future behavior. To be successful using a behavior-based approach, you must have analyzed your experiences and know how to relate them to the current position the organization is seeking to fill.

Use the P.A.R. (Problem, Action, Result) approach to answer questions. You will state a problem you faced, describe the action you took, and explain the results of that action. Here is a sample P.A.R. answer to the question, "Describe a problem or challenge you've encountered; how did you deal with it?"

Problem: Advertising revenue was falling off for the student paper and large numbers of long-term advertisers were not renewing contracts.

Action: I designed a new promotional packet to go with the rate sheet and compared the benefits of the paper's circulation with other ad media in the area. I also set up a special training session for the account executives with a professor who discussed competitive selling strategies.

Result: We signed contracts with 15 former advertisers for daily ads and 5 for special supplements. We increased our new advertisers by 20 percent over the same period last year.