Tell me about a time at work when your integrity was challenged. How did you handle it?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
1st Entry Level Example
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

At Procter and Gamble, integrity is the first core value of the organization. In all that they do, they strive to do the right thing by being honest and operating within all laws that regulate their industries. To get a sense of the integrity that you would bring to work at Procter and Gamble, your interviewer wants to hear you talk about a time your integrity was put to the test on the job. As you answer, they'll be looking to hear that you stood your ground and upheld your own personal beliefs and values in a difficult situation.

Prior to your interview, think about a time where you were put to the test when it came to your integrity. Perhaps a co-worker has asked you to lie, or you were tempted to be dishonest on your timesheet when the boss was away. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you overcame the temptation to be dishonest and describe your thought processes and any action you took to make the situation right and just.

"I once had a coach that I witnessed berate and curse at students. It was a tough situation because I was afraid of retaliation, but I knew the coach's behavior was unacceptable. I was able to schedule time with our school's guidance counselor and report the incidents anonymously. Quickly after that conversation, the school began investigating the matter, and he ultimately got fired from the school. It was a challenging situation, but I did the right thing by speaking up for others and reporting the verbal abuse by the coach."

"Last year our manager went away on vacation for three weeks. Some of my co-workers wanted to falsify our timesheets to reflect overtime hours that we did not work. I disagreed and was able to convince them that it was a bad idea and certainly not worth being terminated over. Following that weekend, I had two coworkers approach me and thank me for convincing them to do the right thing."

"Early in my career working in retail, I was on cart duty in the parking lot and I found a bag with a large amount of cash in it in the parking lot. While some people may have been very tempted to bring the bag to their car and not report it found, I did the right thing and reported it to our GM right away. I found out later that it could have been life-changing money, but I'm glad that I made the right choice and reported it."