Tell us about a time you had to work with an underperforming teammate.
"I had a co-worker who seemed to be struggling. They seemed sleep-deprived, and their attention to detail wasn't what it once was. I tried to talk to them about it, but they weren't forthcoming about what was going on. I reviewed their work to help them and fixed a lot of mistakes. It got so bad that I decided it was time to bring it to the attention of my supervisor. They pulled us both outside and gave me a chance to speak first. It turns out they had some pretty serious health issues. They didn't want to miss work because they needed to maintain their hours to continue getting their health benefits. That's when our supervisor told us they had a program for situations like this and that they wouldn't lose their benefits for missing work."
This question aims to reveal your attitude toward such sensitive situations. It will determine whether you focus on the team's welfare or approach the situation with frustration and corrective action. The interviewer wants to know how you handled such situations and your reasoning for bringing attention to the situation. In your example, share how you prioritize the welfare of your coworkers and the needs of the team while working in the interest of all involved parties.
Objectify the situation, exhibiting an emotionally mature perspective, and explain how you navigated this terrain, ultimately leading to a successful resolution. Nonverbal cues for empathy are slightly tilting your head, nodding slowly, keeping your palms open, maintaining eye contact, smiling softly, and slightly raising your eyebrows. Posture yourself in a relaxed and comfortable position. Focus on the positives and how the overall outcome benefitted the team.
Try to embrace the ideology and culture of JP Morgan chase. "Supporting Our People - We're proud of the culture we've created. And we're continually investing in new ways to develop all of our people to enable them to grow and succeed throughout their careers. We build teamwork, loyalty and morale. Know your people well; put them in the right jobs and assess them honestly. Make people decisions based on merit. Deal with people issues; take action with non-performers. Recognize that teamwork can mean both getting along and having the courage to stand alone and do the right thing"
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
This happens very often in the restaurant industry. Sometimes, it is because they simply have a bad attitude which I am less inclined to be sympathetic to. Mostly, though, it is because they are just under the curve. I would always help fellow servers when they were "in the weeds", it is your job to help your team when you can and as often as possible.
Marcie's Feedback
Can you provide an example with more specifics? Talk about a time when you helped a fellow server and explain exactly what you did to help them improve. Adding more details will make your answer more meaningful and memorable to the interviewer. Great job!
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