Mastering behavioral interviews with Austen McDonald

Coding Chats episode 61 - John Crickett interviews Austen about his new book and the significance of behavioural interviews in the hiring process, especially in today's competitive job market. Austen shares insights on what interviewers look for, how to tailor preparation for specific companies, and the importance of storytelling in interviews. He emphasizes the impact of AI on the interview process and discusses how candidates can effectively present their experiences, particularly in conflict resolution scenarios. The conversation also covers the different expectations for candidates at various career stages and the importance of preparation and practice in mastering behavioural interviews. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Behavioral Interviews 02:43 What Interviewers Look For 05:32 Understanding Company Expectations 07:48 Austen's Background and Expertise 09:59 The Impact of AI on Interviews 12:10 Behavioral Interviews Beyond Big Tech 14:11 Crafting Your Introduction 18:55 Selecting Stories for Interviews 24:32 Creating Compelling Interview Stories 28:38 The Difference Between Junior and Senior Engineers 29:50 Crafting Compelling Stories for Interviews 31:28 Timing and Length of Stories in Interviews 33:34 Selecting the Right Story for the Interview 37:05 The Importance of Scope and Relevance in Storytelling 37:52 Using the Menu Technique for Story Selection 40:37 Enhancing Conflict Resolution Stories 43:48 The Drama in Conflict Resolution 48:12 Improving Conflict Resolution Narratives 55:00 The Role of Escalation in Conflict Resolution 58:11 The Big Three Questions in Behavioral Interviews 59:54 Understanding Interview Dynamics 01:03:08 The Importance of Asking Questions 01:06:56 Feedback Loops in Behavioral Interviews 01:12:04 Navigating Different Career Stages 01:17:52 Adapting Stories for Different Organizations 01:23:02 Leveraging Personal Projects in Interviews 01:24:41 Key Takeaways for Interview Success Austen's Links : https://thebehavioral.substack.com/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G6CM9T87 John's Links: John's LinkedIn:   / johncrickett   John’s YouTube:    / @johncrickett   John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett... Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills. Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track. Takeaways Behavioral interviews are crucial for differentiating candidates in a competitive job market. Understanding what interviewers are looking for can significantly improve your chances of success. Tailoring your preparation to the specific company and role is essential. Your past experiences and stories are likely more valuable than you think. Practice and preparation are key to performing well in interviews.