When facing a difficult situation, how do you react? Describe your approach and the course of action you would take.
This question focuses on your adaptability to when things don't go according to plan, and how resourceful you are to finding solutions. The assessment vendor will study your responses for how you cope with stress in such situations, and whether you allow your stress to dictate your behavior, responses, and decision-making. Delta expects its employees to drive for results, set clear goals. and follow through. "Every employee must have clear, measurable objectives to be successful in their job. In setting your objectives, be wary of over-promising or projecting unrealistic returns as these plans seldom materialize. When driving for results-it is not just 'what' you accomplish, but also 'how' you accomplish it. Leadership requires removing obstacles and clarifying the path to reach the business goals."
With this question, HireVue's interview builder would score someone as a novice if they were unable to "adjust their behavior as required to meet the demands of the situation, and require a supervisor or manager to make the necessary changes." Whereas someone they consider an expert "possesses a positive attitude, shares their vision, inspires others, is a role model, and quickly modifies their plans accordingly."
HireVue takes a candidate's personality, work style, and ethics into account during the evaluation process, classifying them according to the "big five personality traits," which are openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability. This question focuses on emotional stability and conscientiousness. In essence, they want to know when facing a difficult situation if your stress turns into an obstacle to your productivity and team relations, or if you're able to navigate your stress and continue to drive results.
Improve your proficiency rating by being conscious of how stress can reveal itself through nonverbal cues. Maintain a calm and confident demeanor, with a relaxed face and open body language. Relay how you've dealt with difficult situations before and your confidence in being able to do so again. Explain your approach. Showcase your ability to objectify most situations and react decisively. Detail your systematic method, ability to maintain a positive can-do attitude, while stabilizing or promoting team morale.
"Well, I take a moment to collect my thoughts before anything. Situations like that are always initially stressful. But, I do the one thing in those situations that is necessary. I think quickly on my feet and keep moving forward as strategically as I can. I prioritize based on need, then I tackle the biggest part of the challenge first until overcoming it feels more and more attainable."
