Learn how to prepare and practice a small set of flexible stories to handle almost any behavioral interview question.
Switch to the audio version if you prefer to learn by listening rather than reading.
AI-generated audio transcript
Most behavioral questions don't require unique answers. Instead, you'll notice that the same personal stories can be reused in different contexts. A story about finishing a project under a tight deadline can demonstrate teamwork, conflict resolution, or problem-solving depending on how you frame it.
That's why preparation is so effective. You don't need to invent answers on the spot, you simply adapt one of your prepared stories to the question. This gives you confidence and prevents awkward silences.
Rely on improvising completely during the interview
Prepare a handful of strong, flexible stories in advance
When selecting stories, focus on experiences that show impact, teamwork, and problem-solving. These don't need to be spectacular “FAANG-level” achievements. A smaller outsourcing project where you clarified requirements with the client or solved a tricky bug with the help of your team is just as valid. What matters is that the story highlights how you acted and what the result was.
Avoid stories where you had no influence or where your role was too small. The interviewer wants to understand your behavior, not just your team's.
Choose stories where your role was minimal or unclear
Pick stories that show your actions and decisions clearly
Sometimes you'll be asked about a situation you haven't faced yet, for example, managing a conflict between teammates or leading a project. In that case, it's better to share what you observed in your team rather than saying, “I never had that experience.” For example, you could describe how a senior colleague handled a conflict and explain what you learned from watching them.
This shows that even if you haven't been directly responsible, you were paying attention, understood the dynamics, and are prepared to apply those lessons when it's your turn. Still, whenever possible, use personal experiences first, they carry more weight and make your answers stronger.
Answer with only “I don't know, I never had that situation”
If you lack direct experience, share what you observed and what you learned
Each story should follow the STAR method you learned earlier: Situation, Task, Action, Result. If possible, add Reflection to show what you learned. When practicing, say the story out loud to make sure it flows naturally. You don't need to memorize exact sentences, bullet points are enough. The goal is to be structured and confident without sounding robotic.
Practice with a colleague or even with an AI assistant by having it ask random behavioral questions. The more you rehearse, the easier it will be to adapt your stories in the real interview.
Memorize scripts word-for-word and risk sounding robotic
Practice out loud so your answers sound natural
By the time you prepare three to five strong stories, you'll notice they can cover almost every behavioral interview question. One story about handling unclear requirements can also demonstrate teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Another about fixing a production bug might show perseverance and collaboration.
The goal is not quantity but adaptability. A small set of well-prepared stories will make you sound experienced, confident, and trustworthy.
A few strong, adaptable stories are enough to succeed in most behavioral interviews.
The key is how you frame and adapt each story. The same experience can highlight different strengths depending on the question. If asked about conflict, you might emphasize how you communicated under pressure. If asked about leadership, you could focus on the part where you guided your team or suggested improvements.
This flexibility shows maturity: you're not just repeating rehearsed lines, but truly reflecting on your experiences and presenting them in a way that connects with the client's concerns.
Tell the exact same story in the exact same way every time
Adapt your stories to highlight different skills depending on the question
Check how well you understood the lesson with these 3 questions.
I'll leave you with the same video from the What to Expect lesson. Honestly, I think it's a very down-to-earth example of how to work on your stories. For this lesson, your focus should be on reflecting on your own experiences and writing them down.