CBSA Mock Interview
Master 60 CBSA interview questions covering border security, integrity scenarios, and situational judgment.
Question 51 of 60
Two teammates are embroiled in a conflict over how to proceed on a team project. They’re raising their voices and the conflict seems to be escalating. There are no other supervisors present and you are walking into the situation cold...
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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.
With this question, you know that you will be meeting with two actors who are having a disagreement. The project needs to continue moving along, and their interaction is affecting the morale and productivity of the rest of the team. If they are upset at one another, they are likely directing blame and are both in defensive postures. It might also be wise to get them into a private space, away from affecting the rest of the team. Your goal is to respectfully de-escalate. You need to get both of them to objectify the situation and look at the big picture.
Start by calmly asking everyone to take a step back and take a deep breath, and give them each an opportunity to speak, in turn. Listen carefully to everything they have to say and be mindful of your body language at all times. Take care to show positive nonverbal communication by making eye contact and keeping your body language open and non-defensive. You need to get them back into a positive and collaborative team mentality. Try to identify where their communication went sideways, and to offer an amicable approach where the project can continue and come ahead of the deadline.
Take notes throughout the role-playing situation. Establish the facts (When, where, who, how, & why). Clarify and mirror, making sure everyone is on the same page. Offer the course of action you intend to follow and share it with the actor so they understand that you are taking action. Make sure they are satisfied with your course of action and ask if there is anything else you can address while you are at it. Assure them that you are taking responsibility for their situation and assure them you will follow up with them at a determined point to inform them of your progress.
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.
What happens during an interview role play? A role play interview questions involves a participative scenario where your skills and responses are tested in the present, in real time. They'll likely have presented the scenario and you role in advance, giving you anywhere from a day to 5-10 minutes prior to prepare. Most of the CBSA's role-play questions will focus on your interpersonal skills and conflict management skills. Take notes on the relevant information which will guide you on how to respond and react.
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.
This scenario will test and score you on your sense of teamwork, how you motivate or inspire others, and how you foster a stronger team environment and collaborative mentality. It will test your problem-solving skills, and your ability to discern facts from opinions or misunderstandings. It will test your communication skills and your ability to speak non-defensively, objectifying the situation rather than singling out any one person. This also will help in your diplomacy and negotiation in the situation.
It will probably evaluate you on your self-control and composure, which will speak to your emotional intelligence and your ability to govern your own emotions. It will test your flexibility and your adaptability, and if you adjust your approach and your communication style. Lastly, it will test your conscientiousness and reliability, and how consistent you are in your responses, your approach, and your overall handling of the situation.
When entering the situation, try to remain confident and relaxed. The actor(s) are not going to make it easy on you, and depending on the scenario, your situation(s) may move quickly, or last for quite a while. So, assume the role you are to perform, even if it doesn't seem related to the role.
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Anonymous Answer
I would approach them and ask them to listen to me a little. I would explain that it's okay for them to have differing opinions and that this was even important for the project's growth, but this should not escalate in a way that becomes too confrontational. I would ask everyone to give their point of view calmly, without being interrupted. I would take important aspects said by both and say that all this would be discussed with the supervisor so that we could reach the best outcome for the project.
Marcie's Feedback
Would you do anything to physically control the situation like separate the two teammates from each other?
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