What sources do you look to when you need to solve a complicated problem?
The interviewer wants to know that you can think outside the box, or even ask for help when you are stuck on a complicated problem.
Maybe you look to a mentor or boss for advice. Perhaps you have handbooks, manuals and systems you turn to for help. Offer some relevant examples based on your industry. If you work in the medical field, you may turn to textbooks, online research, colleagues or even patient's history to find the right solution. If you work in customer service, you may ask the customer what they need to find the best way to solve the problem.
Show the interviewer that you are knowledgeable and equipped to handle these types of scenarios.
"When faced with a complicated problem, I will look to the resources that my current company has provided me. The answer is almost always in there. If it's more of a moral dilemma vs. a knowledge-based dilemma, I will ask my supervisor for his thoughts and opinion since I value him as a mentor and expert in our industry."
"If there's a complicated problem, I'll write out what I think the possible solutions would be, and make a note of what my gut tells me to do. Then, I will weigh those potential solutions against one another and list the complications that may arise as a result of each choice. Also, I am always open to input or suggestions from those with more experience than I and look to my mentors, their experience, and the training resources, as well as potentially talk the problem out with coworkers or my boss."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I usually try to resolve it by myself first. If I cannot figure out or am not sure about the result, I will look to the resources internally, maybe an expert in the field, or previous completed studies or reports. The answer is almost always in there. If the problem is at high stake or more of a moral dilemma, I will discuss it with my supervisor or other mentors in the company for his/her thoughts and opinion.
Amanda's Feedback
Good answer! You've shared multiple avenues for solving a complex problem. This would be a good opportunity to use the STAR method to talk about how you've successfully solved a problem in the workplace. Share a Situation that had a positive outcome. Describe the specific Task you were supposed to accomplish. Tell about the Action you took to solve the problem or overcome a challenge and complete the task. Finally, share the Result and how you contributed to the successful outcome."
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