How to Answer: Tell us about a time you had to deliver bad news to your boss.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a General Motors job interview.
16. Tell us about a time you had to deliver bad news to your boss.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The language of this question is intentionally vague and non-specific. This allows them to see how you'll interpret what a stressful situation means to you. They're curious whether you'll reveal yourself as the root cause of the bad news, versus your leadership skills prompting you to take the initiative to be the bearer of the bad news. 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 intentions for bringing them to light.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 28th, 2022
How to Answer
Take responsibility for your actions where applicable. Avoid examples where bringing others' mistakes to light might come across as intending to make yourself look better. Exemplify emotional maturity by acknowledging we face stressful situations every day, and highlight your ability to take such situations in stride.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 28th, 2022
Answer Example
"Well, I consider myself the eyes and ears of my superiors. If I pick up on something that affects the business, I'll give them a heads-up as soon as possible. It's better this way for everyone involved than waiting for them to discover it themselves. In this instance, there was a member of the team who was underperforming with unfortunate consistency. There'd been multiple conversations on this. On a day when this employee had called in sick, I had to track down some materials I'd loaned to them. Although I'm not proud of it, I went through their desk looking for it when I stumbled upon a bottle of booze and some drug paraphernalia. Although I was remiss to do so, I decided to bring it to the attention of the management. This resulted in the employee being let go. I felt bad about this as well, despite how much their behavior and life decisions were impacting the team's productivity. It's been a while since we've had those productivity issues, and in the end, it was a good thing for the department. I just hope that individual was able to turn their life around."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 28th, 2022