In an on-demand assessment, you'll need to consider your approach in advance. You want to showcase your mediation and negotiation skills, your ability to de-escalate, and that you possess strong nondefensive communication skills. You want to exude emotional intelligence and professionalism. Whichever experience you choose to share, try to come across as emotionally mature while avoiding regressing into the emotion of the conflict upon recall. Avoid trying to come across as a figure of strength, or displaying any defensive behavior, posturing, movements, or gestures that could be interpreted as insecure, closed-off, unapproachable, hostile, or disinterested. Avoid narrowing your eyes, folding your arms, and furrowing your brow. True strength comes from within and is displayed by coming across as confident, relaxed, cool, and collected.

In a live interview, this would offer an opportunity to showcase your communication skills by asking for clarification rather than being guided by assumptions. But in an on-demand assessment, when recounting conflict situations, the best approach to successfully navigating them is to communicate how your conduct naturally aligns with the company's values and the culture they count on their employees to reflect. For example, Sedgwick defines their culture and values with the phrase, "a culture of caring. You'll be part of a team that values empathy, accountability, inclusion, collaboration and growth. Every day, and in every interaction, you'll see and feel what it's like to work for a company that's committed to doing the right thing, for those we serve, for our planet and for each other."

"I had a coworker who was having a particularly difficult time due to a series of stressful work-related events. On our lunch break, I started talking to them, just drumming up conversation, and they snapped at me, accusing me of patronizing them by coming up with what they called 'inane babble.' I explained I hadn't meant any offense, and they snapped at me again. So I smiled, nodded, fell silent, and quietly ate my lunch. When I finished, I stood up from the table and told them if they wanted to talk and vent about their day, I was available. When we finished our shifts, they approached me and apologized, and they started to talk about their day. An hour later, we were still hanging out by our cars, talking it through. At that point, I invited them to join me and my spouse for dinner, and we all had a lovely evening together."