Tell us about a time you were part of a team under someone's else's direction.
This question delves into your concept of teamwork. Frequently those striving to be a part of the Page Program are singularly focused on their own ambition and goals. There may be times this is unavoidable, which is why the purpose of this question is to assess how well you work and collaborate with others.
Offer an example of a rewarding collaborative experience in a team environment. Using the STAR method, break down the Situation, the Task at hand, the Action that was taken, and the Result of the team collaboration. Then, describe your part in it, your positive take on it, and the rewards of the experience while not placing too much emphasis on your contribution.
Preparing for any interview comes with its fair share of research. Your research should include combing through your background and accomplishments to ensure you leave nothing on the table. The point of this question is to not look at others as competition. Your focus should be on the NBCUniversal Team. If you are performing at your best, the competition will be worried about you, not the other way around. Every day you decide what attitude you'll embrace. The only thing you have control over is your attitude. In a team environment, the right attitude can go a long way. On their website, they say they are looking for "Optimism and a positive team player mentality' and 'Passion for creating a positive impact and adding value in any situation." Consider these points when composing your answer.
"At NYU, my Tisch Drama professor would ask me to guide the course in their absence when they were running behind. So anytime I guided our course work, I considered it a team collaboration. The authority in this situation was not me. We were all following the professor's directions. I think that is why the professor leaned on me. I never let my ego interfere with the work. I just knew how they'd do it and followed their lead. Everyone else saw this too. That way, anytime the professor showed up late, they stepped right in, not missing a beat, and we'd all smile and giggle, keeping step the whole way, and we all felt great about it. We were a finely oiled dramatic machine."
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
Being a student-athlete I’m usually under someone else, I played receiver and I was captain for our group but once we get in the huddle it's our quarterback's responsibility to lead. I listen for the needs of what play our coach wants us to run through him. If there’s something that he sees out there that we don't see and he wants to call an audible and change the play then I’m going to do my part and listen for what tasks he wants to be done and I translate this every group setting I’m in when someone else takes the lead. The only way we get the job done is if I contribute my part to tasks that I’ve been assigned.
Jaymie's Feedback
It sounds like you are a team player, can follow the lead, and can also step up when needed. This is a well-balanced answer!
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