How do you deal with conflict in the workplace?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Answer Example

This behavioral question will offer a meaningful glimpse into your personality, as well as your soft skills. They're aiming to get a glimpse of your mediation and negotiation skills. The interviewer needs to know how adept and effective you are at diplomacy and working swiftly towards a communal end goal. They are also curious if you have issues with people in positions of authority, or if you strive to preserve the peace, and exhibit respect for your superiors.

When an interviewer asks you how you deal with conflict, focus your example on the solution rather than the problem. Exhibit your non-defensive communication skills, as well as your ability to function as a mediator between those who don't see eye to eye. Always focus your example on the situation and never on any one person as the source of the conflict, taking a thoughtful approach by listening to the perspectives of others with empathy. Convey a possession of strong conflict resolution skills in your example by showcasing your emotional intelligence.

"Any time I experience any type of emotionally driven conflict with someone in a professional setting, I just listen and ask questions. I let them get it all out. I maintain eye contact, remain confident and relaxed, nod and mirror their points so they feel heard. I then ask more questions after I've mirrored to make sure there is nothing more they need to add. Then, I'll present back to them the situation, removing the emotional context. Basically, I approach them diplomatically and non-defensively and will try to reframe the context of the emotional output into a more logical and diffused manner. Hopefully, I'll be able to de-escalate the situation. When possible, I make sure an objective witness is present as well, to ensure everything is handled well from an HR perspective."

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How to Answer: How do you deal with conflict in the workplace?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Facebook job interview.

3. How do you deal with conflict in the workplace?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

This behavioral question will offer a meaningful glimpse into your personality, as well as your soft skills. They're aiming to get a glimpse of your mediation and negotiation skills. The interviewer needs to know how adept and effective you are at diplomacy and working swiftly towards a communal end goal. They are also curious if you have issues with people in positions of authority, or if you strive to preserve the peace, and exhibit respect for your superiors.

Written by Kevin Downey on October 21st, 2022

How to Answer

When an interviewer asks you how you deal with conflict, focus your example on the solution rather than the problem. Exhibit your non-defensive communication skills, as well as your ability to function as a mediator between those who don't see eye to eye. Always focus your example on the situation and never on any one person as the source of the conflict, taking a thoughtful approach by listening to the perspectives of others with empathy. Convey a possession of strong conflict resolution skills in your example by showcasing your emotional intelligence.

Written by Kevin Downey on October 21st, 2022

Answer Example

"Any time I experience any type of emotionally driven conflict with someone in a professional setting, I just listen and ask questions. I let them get it all out. I maintain eye contact, remain confident and relaxed, nod and mirror their points so they feel heard. I then ask more questions after I've mirrored to make sure there is nothing more they need to add. Then, I'll present back to them the situation, removing the emotional context. Basically, I approach them diplomatically and non-defensively and will try to reframe the context of the emotional output into a more logical and diffused manner. Hopefully, I'll be able to de-escalate the situation. When possible, I make sure an objective witness is present as well, to ensure everything is handled well from an HR perspective."

Written by Kevin Downey on October 21st, 2022

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