How to Answer: Tell us about a time you faced a problem with a team member.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Abbott Laboratories job interview.
20. Tell us about a time you faced a problem with a team member.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question can be interpreted in many ways. How you will interpret this question will give your interviewer insight into your outlook on the world. It will also inform them of what you perceive as a problem.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 27th, 2022
How to Answer
When relaying your example of a problem with a team member, pay close attention to the nuance of this question. It doesn't suggest a personal problem between you and the team member. It could imply a team issue with a team member, or it could imply a problem you solved with another team member.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 27th, 2022
What You Need to Know
Abbott states on their site that their interns are "receiving constant feedback and assurance" throughout their experience. Teamwork is integral to every aspect of their culture. They are looking for individuals who are team-oriented and foster collaboration. Take care to exemplify this mentality.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 27th, 2022
Answer Example
"I was working on a research team, and in our experiments, we had trouble repeating any single result no matter what angle or approach we took. I determined we were working with inaccurate or inadequate data. We started over, doing all of our ground research again, and discovered three areas where numbers in our data had been transposed. That's when I learned my project partner was dyslexic. Moving forward, we agreed to proofread each other's work to ensure we didn't repeat that mistake."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 27th, 2022