situational interview

[/ˌsɪtʃuˈeɪʃənəl ɪnˈtɜrvjuː/]
nounpl: situational interviews
entrevista situacional
1. A structured interview method where candidates are presented with hypothetical workplace scenarios and asked how they would handle them, assessing their problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities
In the situational interview, the hiring manager asked how I would respond if a customer complained about a delayed order.
Na entrevista situacional, o gerente de contratação perguntou como eu responderia se um cliente reclamasse de um pedido atrasado.
2. An interview format that focuses on how candidates would behave in specific, realistic job-related situations rather than past experiences
The situational interview revealed how candidates prioritize tasks under pressure.
A entrevista situacional revelou como os candidatos priorizam tarefas sob pressão.
Situational interviews are increasingly popular in both American and Brazilian corporate recruitment, particularly in tech, consulting, and customer service sectors. In Brazil, they are used by multinational companies and progressive Brazilian firms as part of modern HR practices. The methodology emphasizes predictive validity over biographical information, reflecting a shift toward competency-based hiring practices in both cultures.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
scenario-based interviewhypothetical interviewsituational judgment testwhat-if interview
Antonyms / Antônimos
behavioral interviewunstructured interviewopen-ended interview

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
entrevista situacional
Standard term used in HR and recruitment contexts across Brazil
São Paulo
entrevista situacional / entrevista de cenário
Business hub terminology; both terms are used interchangeably in corporate settings
Rio de Janeiro
entrevista situacional
Common in corporate and consulting firms
Portugal
entrevista situacional / entrevista de simulação
Portuguese variation may use 'simulação' to emphasize the hypothetical nature

Related Words

behavioral interviewcompetency-based interviewstructured interviewSTAR methodinterview techniquejob simulationcase study interview

Related Idioms & Phrases

put someone in a hypothetical situation
test someone's mettle
see how someone would handle it
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