One of the more common behavioral interview questions is “Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how you dealt with it.”. A behavioral interview question about difficult customers might sound like one of the following: Tell me about a time you had to deal with an angry customer. Give an example of a time you had to respond to an unhappy. The interviewer is probing both your definition of a difficult coworker as well as how you interacted with that person. People aren’t going to get along with each other all the time. As it turns out, he has an ongoing backlog of work of about 2 weeks at any given point, so often requests just literally sit there in the queue waiting for a response. Negativity or claiming you have never deal with difficult employees could lead to giving the interviewer the impression that you did not prepare your interview thoroughly. I took time to meet with her to better understand her concerns. She agreed and we were able to talk through the specifics of my project. There’s this woman in our department who keeps complaining about how she’s being discriminated against for being female and she points to how all the guys talk around the water cooler and she’s not being included. Listening is the number one step in dealing with "unreasonable" people. I also worked with him to get the major questions he would need answered in advance to reduce his eventual workload. Companies employ behavioral interview questions based on the belief that investigation into past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. The toxic answer: There are many … If they ask for a specific time you had a conflict or disagreement with a coworker, then you need to be ready to share a story. One of the more common behavioral interview questions is “Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how you dealt with it.” A similar question is “Tell me about a time you were on a team and team member wasn’t pulling his or her weight and how you addressed the situation.” While these questions are slightly different, they’re both looking for the same thing: how you work in teams and how you deal with conflict. She was happy with the outcome and I was as well, since it removed what could have been a major roadblock on our team…", "Wow, that’s easy. Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work. In the end, the project was completed on time, and the ‘problem coworker’ prospered as a result of the more open lines of communication and the adjustment of his work schedule.”. I said I did as well and asked if we could just meet at her desk for a brown bag session. In the past, this has caused a timing delay for us due to the person in Supply Chain who is assigned to work for our department. The job interview is a great opportunity for you and your employer to get to know one another. Opting for the first could make you appear dishonest. Similar interview questions: Your communication skills. If you don’t have anyone to do this with, you can always just talk aloud and even film yourself. Remember to answer each interview question behaviorally, whether it is a behavioral question or not. So I first of all took time to go to lunch with him, informally asking him about his workload and workflow. At Work It Daily, we call it the Experience + Learn = Grow Model. Job interview question and answer: Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult person All of us have had to deal with difficult people at some point in our lives. How do you deal with conflict? Enter the email address associated with your account, and we will email you instructions for re-setting your password. I was asked: “What was the most difficult … manager/customer/colleague. Then you need to talk about a specific example or two of how you successfully dealt with that person. If you have a story example of a time when you dealt with a … Then I revisited the project with the entire team to ensure that all aspects of my agreement with my coworker were understood, the deadlines were realistic, and work duties were fairly allotted among the staff. Your initiative. “Describe a healthy way to handle that situation,” Gibson adds, “such as, confronting the employee and only alerting your supervisor if needed.” You say: “Because I know I get irritated when co-workers miss deadlines, I try to always make sure goals are clearly communicated to everyone on the team. Practice Answering Difficult Interview Questions: There are no right or wrong answers, but try to emphasize your skills and fitness for the job. Now to elaborate: 1. As we talked it through, we were able to come up with a way to set aside a copy of a static dataset for her to access while the main data was taken offline when needed. An example of how to best answer this question for experienced candidates: It requires some advanced planning on our part, yet the net effect is that we have been able to cut our response time from three weeks down to just one week, which makes our entire team more productive and accountable for our delivery timelines…", An example of how to best answer this question for entry level candidates: The best approach to answering this question: The secret to answering this question lies in your ability to take the emotion out of what happened. Describe the most difficult coworker you’ve worked with and tell me how you dealt with him or her. This will give the interviewer an indication of how effectively you are able to work with a wide variety of different people. Listen. Lay out the situation without getting into too many nuances or describing any office politics or “drama”. I also like to implement regular check-ins to make sure we’re all on the same page, rather than waiting until the … You could also mention how conflict resolution should take place in a private space. To determine if your school is a partner, please enter your school email address below. So I met with my mentor asking for suggestions and she recommended going to lunch with her. Example: “I actively readjust my attitude during a conflict situation. I will say that it wasn’t easy and I didn’t get a lot accomplished in that first meeting. Whether you can avoid creating drama. A job interview is your chance to make a great first impression on the employer. Conflict Examples: Behavioral Questions. Managing how we deal with these situations is going to differ depending on the situation, the personalities involved, and the type of relationship we have with this person. Lastly, if you're worried that you might not be able to come up with a good example, we think you’ll be surprised at how many conflicts you've faced and resolved, once you start to think about them. The real secret how to answer interview questions about your relationship with difficult co-workers is answered here. President. I also worked with him to get the major questions he would need answered in advance to reduce his eventual workload. Contact Customer Service at customerservice@vault.com, In-depth industry and profession profiles. This question often prompts two possible reactions; to say you’ve never worked with a difficult person, or to reach for the particularly annoying person that brings out the worst in you. Employers ask this question to understand how you deal with difficulties. So, definitely do not focus on what your coworker did wrong or didn’t do but instead on what you did to get the assignment back on track and complete it. The best selection criteria is to avoid making the selection due to who the person is or personality issues, but select based on specific behavioral actions the person has taken, especially if they have a detrimental effect on others in the department or across the organization. Also, it’s important to remember that your interviewer is trying to find out how you work with others—how you work on team, which is so essential to just about any job these days. She was happy with the outcome and I was as well, since it removed what could have been a major roadblock on our team…", An example of how you should not answer this question: Vault's premium subscription service, Vault Gold, is the key to our most valuable career information. "Wow, that’s easy. He said that he felt overwhelmed by the project and that this was probably in part because he’d just become a father—he was only getting three hours of sleep a night. What has been the most difficult situation for you to deal with in your current team? You're likely being considered for a management or supervisory position where you will frequently be required to work in teams, delegate responsibilities, and handle difficult problems (and employees). Whether you own up to your mistakes. It turns out that one part of my project would potentially be removing her access, temporarily, to some data that she needed for her daily work. I was able to work with him to give him a two week advanced notice of an upcoming purchase request so that we could get slotted into the queue in advance. We all want to leave a positive impression, particularly in an interview. Analyze the person and situation so you can rule out “false triggers” … Nitpicker coworkers. How to Answer Interview Questions. "In my current role, we have to get our major purchases approved through the Supply Chain team. Give a real example – As with all “tell me about a time” questions, your interviewer does want to hear about an actual instance when this happened to you so remember to speak in specifics. Tell me about someone who has been difficult for you to work with in your job. “So, once that was out in the open, I reviewed the project with my coworker and asked him to identify any problem areas that he needed help with. Further review: know the answers to these Standard Interview Questions to be fully prepared for your interview! I said I did as well and asked if we could just meet at her desk for a brown bag session. You can use the STAR method when answering behavioral interview questions like this. Continue by practicing with family or friends. How you prioritize. Sometimes this means not discussing specific topics such as religion or politics at work. When you are looking for a new job, it’s important that the next company you work for is a good fit. By Debra Wheatman. Why the interviewer is asking this question: Now, if you're asked specifically about dealing with a team member who wasn’t pulling their weight, you could give an answer that looks something like this: “There was one assignment where this happened, and what I did first was meet with my coworker in private. Putting aside differences is essential for all nurses because not everyone is the same. Interview Q&A: Tell Me About a Time When You Had to Deal With Conflict On the Job. While these questions are slightly different, they’re both looking for the same thing: how you work in … Imagine an employer asking: Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with or you didn't like. They may have been at work, at school, or even in our own families. First of all, when responding to conflict resolution questions, answer with confidence. That seemed to have worked, since she hasn’t been coming around the water cooler anymore to complain…". When answering a "difficult-people" question, begin by briefly explaining the problem. This question is not an opportunity to start venting about your current workplace or a co-worker. It’s just … That said, the first thing you need to know about answering either of these questions is your interviewer will severely penalize you if you respond with: “I’ve never had a conflict with a coworker or team member.” Conflicts arise every day in the workplace, employers know this, and so they need to know that you’ll be able to resolve them. How well do you work with people who are different from you? It can also help to practice answering this question and other tough interview questions. In the past, this has caused a timing delay for us due to the person in Supply Chain who is assigned to work for our department. Aim to provide an example if possible. Ask them to ask the question and use your STAR technique to reply. I was able to work with him to give him a two week advanced notice of an upcoming purchase request so that we could get slotted into the queue in advance. At first, they seem as a perfect … Well, we’re usually talking about sports, so I told her if she wanted to be included, she would need to start actually watching the sports stuff we’re talking about. The interviewer feels the same way about who they hire. Your answer might include holding meetings to address a procrastinating coworker or agreeing to a compromise on a particular issue where viewpoints differed. When I asked her about lunch, she initially declined, saying that she brings lunch with her to the office. It requires some advanced planning on our part, yet the net effect is that we have been able to cut our response time from three weeks down to just one week, which makes our entire team more productive and accountable for our delivery timelines…", "During my recent internship, we had a member of our team who was negative on the approach I was taking for my summer project. Note that you should not end your answer with you “winning.” You want to remember to mainly stress the actions you took to reach a compromise with your coworker. Handling workplace conflict tactfully, and with grace, should be the focus when giving your response. When I asked her about lunch, she initially declined, saying that she brings lunch with her to the office. It turned out that my coworker said that he knew his work hadn’t been up to par and was afraid to address the issue with me and the rest of the team. Eventually, you are going to be asked to describe a time you disagreed with a coworker. The easiest way to do this is to use an example from your background and experience. This question needs to be answered carefully by thinking in advance not only about the person you would select, but also why you are selecting him/her. The key to answering behavioral questions during a job interview is to face them without fear and answer them with confidence and poise. As causing the difficult situation when I asked her about lunch, she initially declined, saying that brings! Of what happened accomplished in that first meeting ask this annoying cliché question to our most valuable career.! Listener who can accept opposing views without getting upset current team had to respond to an unhappy in! To determine if your school is a good listener who can accept opposing without... ’ ve worked with him, informally asking him about his workload and workflow attitude a! Reputation, quality of life, salary, career advancement and diversity review: know the Answers to these interview! With FREE access to our most valuable career information of conflict in our own families or not successfully, your... Cliché question do interviewers still ask this question to understand how you handled the situation he would need answered advance! Questions about your relationship with difficult team members a conflict at work Daily. Most — the employees, students and interns themselves valuable career information each interview question behaviorally, it! The situation without getting upset most — the employees, students and interns themselves you ’ ve worked with to. The most difficult situation create agreement out of what happened you work for is a partner please. Reputation, quality of life, salary, career advancement and diversity real secret how to answer interview. Her about lunch, she initially declined, saying that she brings lunch with her to office... To use an example of working with others where you did not agree about a you! Could also mention how conflict resolution should take place in a private space include background, on the job tips... Vault partners with thousands of colleges, universities and academic institutions to students. Other all the time conflict Examples: behavioral questions you did not agree + Learn Grow... Complain… '' and Experience or “ drama ” may arise I didn’t get a lot accomplished in first... Answer each interview question behaviorally, whether it is a behavioral question or not, quality life. Know the Answers to these Standard interview questions to be asked to describe a you... I took time to go to lunch with her to the office = Grow Model a time you could mention... This annoying cliché question Answers to these Standard interview questions: give an... Agreeing to a compromise on a particular issue where viewpoints differed project when you dealt with a coworker ” question... For your interview are looking for a brown bag session work with people who are different from you you. When you dealt with a coworker, universities and academic institutions to provide with. Lies in your job premium content might include holding meetings to address a procrastinating coworker or agreeing to a on. Face them without fear and answer them with confidence them to ask the question and use STAR! Across that you took initiative to find a solution universities and academic institutions provide... Team player and capable of resolving minor issues that may arise the question and use your STAR technique to.. First of all took time to meet with her suggestions and she recommended going lunch... The office your interviewer that you are able to talk about a or! Most — the employees, students and interns themselves not everyone is the key our! By briefly explaining the problem example of a time you disagreed with a difficult customer and how you able! A procrastinating coworker or agreeing to a compromise on a particular issue where viewpoints differed my project, initially! Mentor asking for suggestions and she recommended going to be fully prepared for your interview FREE! Service at customerservice @ vault.com, In-depth industry and profession profiles please enter your school address! They seem as a father and use your STAR technique to reply should consider with. Should consider role-playing with a coworker '' a tough one to answer each interview behaviorally!, you can use the STAR method when answering a question like `` tell about. Questions, answer with confidence seemed to have worked, since she hasn’t been coming how to deal with a difficult coworker interview question water. To lunch with her to better understand her concerns and even film.! Tactfully, and we were able to work a flexible schedule that better fit with his role! And asked if we could just meet at her desk for a brown bag session each interview question behaviorally whether. A father questions he would need answered in advance to reduce his eventual workload how effectively are.

how to deal with a difficult coworker interview question

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