Tell us about a time you faced conflict with someone on your team.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Answer Example

They want to determine what you consider a conflict and how you'd confront it; if you respond defensively to situational conflict, or approach it diplomatically, working swiftly towards a communal end goal. It aims to gauge your problem-solving skills, and general perception or attitude. They ultimately want to know whether you're part of the problem or part of the solution.

It's worth considering how the question is phrased. A "conflict at work" could indicate a conflict between yourself and another employee, or a time you exhibited strong leadership skills to resolve a dispute between two other members of the team. It could also mean you had a personal conflict of interest. In your answer, exhibit integrity. Detail the situation leading up to the conflict. Include the steps you took to de-escalate. Explain how it was resolved. Do your best to exhibit your soft skills and your adeptness at non-defensive communication.

"A member of our team was going through some heavy personal issues. Their behavior was erratic at times. I had a couple of talks with them, hoping to mentor them or just to lend an ear. My approach ultimately failed, as they weren't interested in help. I gave them time to collect themselves and later addressed the situation by explaining how their performance was under evaluation and how the department's perception of them on the team had changed. I also apologized for overstepping my bounds, detailing my motivation, and explained that I wouldn't again cross those boundaries now that they've set them. Soon we got along as if nothing had happened between us. Sure, I was trying to help, but in the end, there's only so much one can do."

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How to Answer: Tell us about a time you faced conflict with someone on your team.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a General Motors job interview.

18. Tell us about a time you faced conflict with someone on your team.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

They want to determine what you consider a conflict and how you'd confront it; if you respond defensively to situational conflict, or approach it diplomatically, working swiftly towards a communal end goal. It aims to gauge your problem-solving skills, and general perception or attitude. They ultimately want to know whether you're part of the problem or part of the solution.

Written by Kevin Downey on April 28th, 2022

How to Answer

It's worth considering how the question is phrased. A "conflict at work" could indicate a conflict between yourself and another employee, or a time you exhibited strong leadership skills to resolve a dispute between two other members of the team. It could also mean you had a personal conflict of interest. In your answer, exhibit integrity. Detail the situation leading up to the conflict. Include the steps you took to de-escalate. Explain how it was resolved. Do your best to exhibit your soft skills and your adeptness at non-defensive communication.

Written by Kevin Downey on April 28th, 2022

Answer Example

"A member of our team was going through some heavy personal issues. Their behavior was erratic at times. I had a couple of talks with them, hoping to mentor them or just to lend an ear. My approach ultimately failed, as they weren't interested in help. I gave them time to collect themselves and later addressed the situation by explaining how their performance was under evaluation and how the department's perception of them on the team had changed. I also apologized for overstepping my bounds, detailing my motivation, and explained that I wouldn't again cross those boundaries now that they've set them. Soon we got along as if nothing had happened between us. Sure, I was trying to help, but in the end, there's only so much one can do."

Written by Kevin Downey on April 28th, 2022

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