Tell us about a time when you faced an unexpected challenge at work. How did you handle it?
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This situation-based question is commonly asked during interviews with companies like Boeing. Unexpected circumstances can arise at any time and be minor or major, so the interviewer needs to understand how well you remain cool, collected, and solution-oriented. Remember, your answer to this question should focus primarily on your response to the challenge and less on the challenge, itself. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate your adaptability in the face of adversity and your ability to stay focused.
Example #1
"My current company has increasingly leaned on Zoom meetings and online platforms to collaborate virtually since the start of the pandemic. For the most part, it has been a great experience and an easy transition from our already tech-savvy approach before. One day, I was scheduled to present a new initiative during a team meeting, and my computer crashed 20 minutes prior to the meeting. I realized that I didn't have time to call our IT department and wait on hold, so I immediately began looking for another solution. Luckily, I had the presentation saved on SharePoint, so I emailed it out to the team from my phone and advised everyone to open the link while I was presenting. I joined the meeting through my phone, explained the slight hiccup to the team, and had them follow along from their own computers. Despite the inconvenience, my solution felt seamless."
Anonymous Answer
"During VIP conversion, it became apparent there was a mis-communication problem in terms of the positioning of the interior, hence the fundamental assumptions of the layout had to be changed having significant impact on the loading on the aircraft. So I highlighted the error and made sure the lines of the communication were addressed also reported the impact of the delay and how the miscommunication had happened - well lack of control on positioning of ornaments etc. I was initially frustrated but then concentrated efforts on communicating the issue and replanning and ensuring the same error didn't happen again - which required more management control."
Kristine's Reply
Great answer! You explain the situation and focus on your response and decisive handling of it. I reworded slightly for clarity.
Kristine's Reply
"During VIP conversion, it became apparent there was a miscommunication problem in terms of the positioning of the interior. Hence the fundamental assumptions of the layout had to be changed, which had a significant impact on the loading on the aircraft. So, I highlighted the error and made sure to address the lines of the communication. I also reported the impact of the delay and how the miscommunication had happened, such as lack of control over the positioning of ornaments. Instead of focusing on my frustration, I concentrated my efforts on communicating about the issue, replanning, and ensuring the same error didn't happen again, which would require more management control."
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Anonymous Answer
"Our MD left the company suddenly. I was in a new position which he had created. I had to maintain my poise and perform during this difficult period. This was something I managed to do."
Lauren's Reply
This is a very solid response. You explained the situation that occurred, but be sure to answer all parts of the question.
Lauren's Reply
"Our Medical Director left the company abruptly. At the time, I was in a new position the MD created. I had to maintain poise and perform my normal functions in spite of that difficult period. This is a circumstance I managed to handle. I handled my workload by focusing on each task at hand versus the bigger picture of the staff loss."
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Anonymous Answer
"I had an internet outage in the middle of testing my students. I tried troubleshooting and also calling the IT department. Realizing the problem was taking longer than expected, I decided to cancel the computer-based test and handed my students hard copies of the test. The time was also extended to make up for the lost time."
Rachelle's Reply
Well done! You could have panicked or been at a loss of what to do, but it seems you sprung into immediate action. Allowing the students extended time is a show of fairness and empathy.
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Anonymous Answer
"As the newly hired Production Manager, I was very surprised to discover the only “plan” for training new employees was to place them with a current employee and essentially hope for the best. I spent some time learning the processes and wrote procedures and training plans for each of the five sections in my department. This reduced confusion, clarified expectations, and drove production to the highest output in the company’s 76-year history."
Rachelle's Reply
You should be very proud of your accomplishment! The process is so important, as is proper onboarding, and your actions solidified this thinking.
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Anonymous Answer
"When my supervisor gave me an extra position while still being the health and safety administrator, that was a very unexpected challenge. I handled it by taking it in stride. I worked a schedule out that allowed me to designate the necessary days for each job.
I did certain tasks on Mondays and Tuesdays, and other tasks the other days of the week. I explained my schedule to all employees and coworkers and had a very smooth system going that allowed me to stay focused on each job."
Rachelle's Reply
It sounds like you were very organized and focused during this time. Great response!
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