If a problem here at Allergan required a quick solution, how would you respond?
When it comes to complex problem solving on the job at Allergan, the decisions do not always arrive quickly. It takes practice, experience, and confidence to learn which decisions yield the best results. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to hear that you have the ability and confidence to think quickly on your feet and make informed decisions.
"When an urgent problem arises at work, I always try to respond calmly. I am a natural leader, and my team often looks to me for answers. For example, last week, we had an administrative employee no-show on a busy day. I called a temp agency, and they had the position filled in just one hour."
"I try to react as swiftly as possible in emergencies. Perhaps my skills come from my years as a parent, having to think fast and put out fires! If a quick solution is required, I will quickly overview the facts and make a decision based on risk factors."
Problems that require you to act quickly can include finding the fire extinguisher and grabbing it fast enough to put out a small fire in the lab or being asked to take on a new responsibility and only given five minutes to decide if you are prepared to take it on. Going with your gut is a skill, and the more you learn to trust your intuition, the easier it becomes to make these decisions. Demonstrate that you are confident and able to react swiftly when the need arises.
