Mastering Behavioural Interviews: The Art of Storytelling

No, storytelling in an interview doesn’t mean making things up or exaggerating. It’s about effectively communicating your experiences and decisions, showing the interviewer why you did what you did and how it aligns with the role you’re applying for.

Situational judgment questions are a major component of behavioural interviews, often making up 40-60% of the questions. These questions push you to reflect on real-life scenarios you’ve faced and explain how you handled them. Unlike memorised answers to questions like “Tell me about yourself,” situational judgment questions can throw you off if you haven’t thought about them before.

One of the main reasons people struggle with these questions is that they aren’t always aware of the situations where they’ve already faced these challenges, or they haven’t taken the time to reflect on why they acted the way they did. Without that awareness, it’s difficult to tell a clear and compelling story in the moment.

For me, understanding your “why” is the key to great storytelling. It’s about clearly explaining why you made certain choices, how they connect to your career path, your extracurricular activities, and your personal values—and ultimately, how this ties back to the values of the company you want to work for.

Take this example: One of my personal values has always been about driving positive change. As a kid, I wanted to grow into someone who made a meaningful impact. This drive led me to pursue an engineering degree, where I could work on projects that improve people’s everyday lives. It also inspired me to take on leadership roles in two student clubs at the university, one that empowers student mental health and another that offers practical work experience. These decisions weren’t random—they aligned with my core value of creating change. Each of these decisions was guided by my desire to create positive change. And when I interview for roles, I connect these experiences to the values of the company, explaining how I want to contribute to their story.

Storytelling is a powerful tool, but many people struggle with it. They either don’t fully understand why they made certain choices or can’t turn their experiences into a compelling narrative. That’s where I can help—by guiding you through the process and helping you craft stories that make you stand out in your next interview or cover letter.

Good luck!!! :)

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About Author

Hi, I’m Alex, a recent graduate from the University of Auckland with a degree in Engineering and Commerce. Like many students, I felt uncertain about my career path for a long time. After exploring four different careers and completing five internships, I discovered my passion—management consulting.

Throughout my journey, I stepped outside my comfort zone and tried various roles. While it took time to find my true calling, one thing I consistently excelled at was interviews. As I applied for graduate roles in 2024, which was a tough year for recruiting, I managed to secure offers from 13 out of the 14 interviews I attended—many with highly selective and prestigious companies.

Now, I’m here to share my experience and tips to help you succeed in your job hunt. Follow along for more insights in my blogs, and feel free to reach out to me here or on social media!