Department of Defense Mock Interview
Master 30 Department of Defense interview questions covering security clearances, mission priorities, and federal hiring protocols.
Question 20 of 30
Tell me about a time a team member asked your opinion about data that should have been flagged directly with a superior. How did you respond, what action did you take, and what was the outcome?
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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.
"I worked with someone who witnessed some suspicious activity that had some pretty wide implications but also could have amounted to nothing at all. They'd previously tried to bring some other ticky-tack issues to the attention of our superiors, but their motives were transparent. They were just trying to race to the top of the hill. They were in it for themselves. Instead of reporting the information, they asked my opinion on its credibility and wanted to strategize a good time to raise the concern in a way that would most benefit their career. I informed them that they were doing it for all the wrong reasons, and they should have reported it immediately. I told them that if they didn't address it immediately, I would. This strained our relationship for a while, but that's on them. They're looking out for themself. I'm looking out for the safety of the team."
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.
Situations like this can be sensitive and affect how others on your team perceive you. The interviewer wants to know how you handle such situations and your reasoning for bringing attention to the situation.
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.
Explain that you were working in the interest of all involved parties. Mention the welfare of your coworker, the needs of the team, and the necessity of bringing it to your superiors in your example. Avoid examples where bringing others' mistakes to light may come across as intending to make yourself look better.
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