Which interviewing technique focuses on how candidates have handled specific situations in the past?

Behavioral interviewing is grounded in the premise that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. This technique involves asking candidates to reflect on their past experiences and describe how they have dealt with specific situations in their previous roles. By focusing on real examples, interviewers can gain insights into a candidate's problem-solving abilities, interpersonal skills, and how they navigate challenges.

This approach contrasts with other interviewing techniques, such as situational interviewing, which presents hypothetical scenarios to assess how candidates might respond in future situations rather than examining past behavior. Panel interviewing involves multiple interviewers assessing the candidate simultaneously, while structured interviewing follows a predetermined format or set of questions to ensure consistency across candidates. Behavioral interviewing stands out because of its direct link to actual experiences, making it a valuable tool for predicting future job performance based on concrete examples.