If faced with a problem that requires a quick solution at Johnson & Johnson, how would you respond?
They're hoping to gauge your confidence in your own abilities. Going with your gut is a skill, and the more you learn to trust your intuition, the easier it becomes to make intelligent decisions. Whether taking charge when no other leadership is present or hurrying to inform your supervisor when the need arises while respecting the chain of command, they want to make sure you have the team's best interests at heart.
"When an urgent problem arises at work, I always try to respond in a calm and assuring manner. I am a natural leader, which means that my team often looks to me for answers. One instance of my fast thinking was just last week when we had an administrative employee no-show on a crucial and busy day for us. I called a temp agency, and they had the position filled in just one hour."
"I react swiftly in emergency situations. Perhaps my skills come from my years as a parent, having to think fast and put out fires! If a quick solution is required, I will do a fast overview of the facts and make a decision based on risk factors. In these situations in the workplace, communication is vital in ensuring that a fast solution is the best solution possible."
If you have an example of a time when you had to think on your feet to solve a work-related issue, talk about how you worked through it. Detail your example by presenting the situation, the task at hand, your course of action, and the result.
Striking a balance between quickly assessing priorities, while protecting the company's assets, and respecting the chain of command. Exercising sound judgment exhibits you as an asset. Making ill-informed decisions proves a person as a liability.
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 make sure that I understand the situation first. Then I quickly identify the problem and associated stakeholders by setting up quick calls, and eventually group discussions, to come to a collective agreement on how the problem should be resolved. If the situation does not allow for this approach I am not afraid to speak up and make decisions myself.
Rachelle's Feedback
Terrific! You sound very confident and ready to make important decisions in the workplace. If you have ever used this approach to solve a problem, this is a great opportunity to give a story-based example that highlights your skills in action.
