How to Answer: When a problem requires a quick solution, how do you respond?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Novartis job interview.
2. When a problem requires a quick solution, how do you respond?
How to Answer
When it comes to complex problem solving, the decisions do not always arrive quickly. It takes practice, experience, and confidence to learn which decisions yield the best results.
Problems that require you to act quickly can be emergencies, such as knowing where the fire extinguisher is and grabbing it fast enough to put out a small grease fire in the company kitchen or being asked to take on a new responsibility and only given five minutes to decide if you are prepared to take on.
Going with your gut is a skill, and the more you learn to trust your intuition, the easier it becomes to make these types of decisions. Demonstrate that you are confident and able to react swiftly when the need arises.
Written by Krista Wenz on May 10th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"When an urgent problem arises at work, I respond in a calm and assuring manner. I am a natural leader, which means that my team often looks to me for answers. Last week, we had an administrative employee no-show on a crucial and busy day. I called a temp agency, and they filled the position in just one hour."
Written by Krista Wenz on May 10th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I react swiftly in emergencies. 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 do a fast overview of the facts and make a decision based on risk factors."
Written by Krista Wenz on May 10th, 2022
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