How to Answer: Are there any types of team members or personality styles that you dislike working with?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Palantir Technologies job interview.
2. Are there any types of team members or personality styles that you dislike working with?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
For most staff at Palantir, working with strong and tough personalities is a regular part of the job. This can include customers from the widely stretched client base that you may be potentially working with or the colleagues you may collaborate with that are driven to succeed by any means possible. Your interviewer knows that every candidate they are considering comes with their own unique set of personality styles that they clash with. They pose this question to get your honest assessment of the types of people you find most difficult to work with and that you have an approach that is effective for how you collaborate with them.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 20th, 2023
How to Answer
First, you surely want to be open and honest with both yourself and the team at Palantir as you answer this question. Be sure to do some reflecting on this topic prior to coming in for your interview. While keeping your answer positive and focusing on your ability to manage yourself when it may be easy for someone to bring you down, talk about one or two personality traits or workstyles that you have struggled with the most in your past. Make it clear to your interviewer that you were able to take the steps necessary to work together effectively and that you'll continue to do so in this role.
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 20th, 2023
Answer Example
"Throughout my career, I've proven my ability to work alongside and collaborate effectively with a wide range of personalities. I've worked with very demanding people and even though that is not my way of doing things, I've developed ways to communicate with overly demanding colleagues. For me, the most difficult type of colleague for me to work with is one who is simply not committed to their work. I've worked alongside colleagues who were simply going through the motions and working for a paycheck, and I've always found it difficult to motivate these people. Over time, I've learned to do as much as I can to help them see their purpose and get them engaged. If one thing is clear about Palantir from what I've learned today, it's that your team is mission-driven and engaged in bringing in AI data management solutions to your clients. This is a mission I'd be proud to join!"
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 20th, 2023