AlphaSights Ltd Mock Interview
Practice 35 AlphaSights Ltd interview questions covering client interactions, research methodology, and case-based scenarios.
Question 26 of 35
Talk about a time you had to work with a difficult person. What was the situation, and how did you handle it?
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Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
In any person's career, they have to work with a colleague or customer who is difficult. Rather than looking to hear the fine details of why this person was difficult, your interviewer will look to gain insight into how you handled the situation and others like it to ensure that a sound relationship was fostered, even when you faced difficult circumstances. In your answer, some key things to focus on are your ability to be tolerant, understanding, and a great communicator in these situations.
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
"In my current role, I have a customer that flies off the handle easily if things don't happen just right, and I learned this from my first interactions with him. I have always maintained a calm demeanor when he was upset and showed empathy by asking questions about his expectations and how to fix situations for him. To this day, I expect difficulty from him when we work together, and the years we've had a working relationship together have better prepared me for more clients like him in the future."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"A couple of years ago, a close colleague had a very abrupt turnaround in her attitude and performance on the job. She was very curt and abrasive in conversations when she was normally very talkative and friendly at the job. After noticing some concerns about her work, I approached her with an open mind and asked her what was causing these things to change. I showed concern and approached her as a friend, and this approach prompted her to tell me about some issues in her personal life. By taking this approach rather than getting upset or even mad at her, I showed her I cared and valued her as a person, and my approach helped her open up and turn her life at work back around to the positive side."
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Anonymous Answer
When I first started in my NY district role, I had a manager who had a bad attitude. She had been with the company for about 2 years and felt that she had not been supported or well trained and set up for success. She had given up in many ways and lost her motivation, and typically reacted to the situation with pessimism and sarcasm. I started by spending time getting to know her and listening to her frustrations, so she felt heard and understood. I empathized with her, and when appropriate, I highlighted some positive changes we could make together. With a little patience, I reminded her that we shared a common goal. By demonstrating personal motivation and drive, this manager eventually turned her attitude around and began to find her own way.
Rachelle's Feedback
Good use of STAR format for tackling this behavioral-based interview question. It sounds as though you took the time to mentor this manager and help her to change some unhealthy habits. Well done!
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