What kind of interview asks candidates how they would deal with potential job challenges?

A situational interview focuses on how candidates would respond to hypothetical scenarios that may arise in the job they are applying for. This kind of interview presents candidates with specific job-related challenges or dilemmas and asks them to describe how they would handle those situations. This approach allows interviewers to assess candidates' problem-solving and decision-making skills, which are critical for effectively managing future workplace challenges.

By asking candidates to project their responses to potential job challenges, situational interviews can reveal how they think on their feet, prioritize tasks, and apply their knowledge in practical contexts. This can provide significant insight into their suitability for the role and their capacity to navigate difficulties that may arise once they are employed.

The other interview styles, while valuable in their own ways, serve different purposes. Behavioral interviews, for instance, typically ask candidates to reflect on past experiences to demonstrate their skills and competencies. Stress interviews are designed to evaluate candidates' reactions under pressure, while competency interviews focus on assessing specific skills or competencies related to the job. Each of these has its own unique focus that does not center around hypothetical job challenges like the situational interview does.