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Microsoft Mock Interview

Question 4 of 35 for our Microsoft Mock Interview

Microsoft was updated by on October 26th, 2021. Learn more here.

Question 4 of 35

How do you handle critique, constraints, and new information in the work that you do?

"A couple of years ago, I worked with my VP of Sales and our Marketing Director to craft a strategic national roll-out. Two months later, after working on the strategy each week as a collaborative team, I was informed that we were putting a pause on the project until further notice. The executives thought the company wasn't ready for such big clients yet, so instead, I had to scale the national roll-out back to be a local market strategy. After the initial sting and frustration of pulling out of the project, I was able to use that same framework to plan local market roll-outs in several major cities effectively. It proved to be a good learning experience overall for me. If offered this position at Microsoft, you would be getting an employee who can roll with the punches and is open to feedback at all times. It's how I continue to learn and grow."

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How to Answer: How do you handle critique, constraints, and new information in the work that you do?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Microsoft job interview.

  • 4. How do you handle critique, constraints, and new information in the work that you do?

      How to Answer

      This stress-based question is designed to show the interviewers at Microsoft how you approach changing your work at a moment's notice, how you react to tight deadlines, and how you incorporate last-minute information that could potentially change the course of your work. Your ability to be agile in your work is critical for success at Microsoft. If possible as you answer, talk to your interviewer about a time when a significant change occurred on the job for you in the past. Talk about how you handled the situation to keep up with positive results.

      Written by Ryan Brunner on October 26th, 2021

      1st Answer Example

      "A couple of years ago, I worked with my VP of Sales and our Marketing Director to craft a strategic national roll-out. Two months later, after working on the strategy each week as a collaborative team, I was informed that we were putting a pause on the project until further notice. The executives thought the company wasn't ready for such big clients yet, so instead, I had to scale the national roll-out back to be a local market strategy. After the initial sting and frustration of pulling out of the project, I was able to use that same framework to plan local market roll-outs in several major cities effectively. It proved to be a good learning experience overall for me. If offered this position at Microsoft, you would be getting an employee who can roll with the punches and is open to feedback at all times. It's how I continue to learn and grow."

      Written by Ryan Brunner on October 26th, 2021

      2nd Answer Example

      "In my current role, all of our products are thoroughly tested after the design and prototype phase. Recently, my engineering team was certain that the design would hold up to the endurance testing, based on the components used, but it did not. We had to go back and adjust the entire product design to determine the cause and correct the fault. The constraints of doing this were frustrating at times, but we were able to circle back once the project was complete and zero in on what we learned. It was a valuable experience, and I am always open to more learning experiences due to new data, constraints, or critiques."

      Written by Ryan Brunner on October 26th, 2021

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "I have mastered giving and receiving feedback without emotion since receiving critical feedback 15 years ago. I can now give and receive constructive feedback and encourage open dialog. All feedback is a gift, even if given poorly. Constraints, COVID-19, deadlines with fewer resources - come up with a workable solution that everyone agrees to. I can receive new information as well as react to change quickly."

      Amanda's Feedback

      It sounds like you appreciate constructive criticism that helps you improve your performance. Because this is a situational question, it's best answered using an example. Talk about a time when you had to respond to criticism, work within constraints, and adapt based on new information. You can use one example or 3 separate scenarios to make sure you address each aspect of the question. In each scenario, make sure to talk about the skills or tools you used as well as the positive outcome.

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