Preparing for a behavioral interview is crucial because it allows you to effectively demonstrate your past experiences, skills, and how you've handled situations relevant to the job you're applying for. Behavioral interviews often focus on assessing your problem-solving abilities, teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills through specific examples. By preparing, you can structure your responses using techniques like the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly convey your qualifications, making a strong impression on the interviewer and increasing your chances of success.