Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement during your career?

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From my time working with companies that require confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements, I know that hiring managers need to be assured that their top candidate is both aware they will need to sign one and are willing and ready to abide by it. If the role you are being considered for at Kimberly-Clark involves product development, design, or research, chances are you will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. Your interviewer needs to be assured you will hold to it.

First, you want to directly answer the question and let your interviewer know if you've ever had to break a confidentiality agreement. If you did, explain why. If you've signed confidentiality agreements and abided by them, be sure to discuss that as well. And, of course, if you've never worked under a confidentiality agreement, you can confidently let the team at Kimberly-Clark know that while reiterating that you are willing and ready to if you join their team.

"As a recent graduate, I've never had to abide by a confidentiality agreement. However, I am very familiar with them. If I join Kimberly-Clark in this role, I know I will be exposed to and work on some very new and innovative industry projects regarding product development. I'm ready to work under any agreements necessary for this job."

"No. Confidentiality agreements allow for complete trust between an organization, its staff, and its clients. I have never broken a confidentiality agreement. Despite my reasons for leaving a job in the past, I would never choose to hurt a previous employer or client in any way and am more than ready to abide by any confidentiality and non-compete agreements that Kimberly-Clark has."

"No. Confidentiality agreements are necessary and important to protect an organization, its clients or customers, and its employees. I fully understand these aspects of confidentiality and take them very seriously. I would continue that tradition if fortunate enough to join Kimberly-Clark."

Anonymous Answer

"I absolutely have not, I understand the importance of them and their principle."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! The interviewer will appreciate that you've never broken a confidentiality agreement before. Talk more about why you believe they are important to further build out your answer.

How to Answer: Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement during your career?