Tell us about a time your team rejected your suggestions and how you responded.
"I used to experience that early in my career, feeling I wasn't recognized for my contributions. Now I realize if I want to be heard, it's up to me to communicate my vision and be assertive. This way, I ensure whatever I bring to the table is my best and communicated to the best of my ability. I can't blame others for not sharing my vision when I'm incapable of illustrating that vision. If it gets shelved, I learn what I can from the experience and move on. Often, the sheer feeling of rejection is the only setback because that feeling can paralyze you and keep you from moving forward. I like to think I'm past that, but everyone thinks they're ready until they're not. Who knows what the future holds?"
When providing your answer, present the backdrop of your situational example, including how informed your suggestion was. Explain why your idea was rejected, whether the reason for passing over your idea was valid, and what you learned from it. Lastly, show what you learned from the experience and how that helped you grow as a professional.
When delivering your answers, try not to be in the emotional state of that moment. Practice being in the emotional state you want to convey. If the example you've thought of doesn't allow you to remove yourself emotionally and observe it situationally, think of another. You want your answer to resonate with authentic sincerity.
How you dealt with rejections in the past will offer clues to your emotional intelligence, your communication, and the professionalism of your conduct. Additionally, your motives should come from a place of helpful professionalism and a drive to support the team effort, not self-advancement. This will indicate whether your contributions will match the innovation they are looking for in their candidates. As JP Margan Chase says in the PDF on How We Do Business, "Put loyalty to the institution ahead of your or anyone else's personal agenda; collaborate and act as if the company's priorities are your own. Innovate, test and learn. We know some ideas will fail, and that's okay."
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
I thought I had a pretty good idea for our capstone project, but when I mentioned it to the group, they became quiet and did not think it should be included. Obviously, I asked why, and they politely told me why it wouldn't work and the group brought up reasons why or why not. In the end, the idea was rejected. While I felt emotionally upset, it quickly dissipated as I realized I trusted my team and our cooperation over my ego was more important.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! If you add more specifics, you'll strengthen your response. For example, what was your idea? Why did the group disagree with it? What idea did your team end up going with it, and how did it work out? Use the STAR method to describe the situation, your task/actions, and the end result.
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