Do you consider yourself a creative thinker in the workplace or do you prefer to follow a predetermined set of rules?
Most organizations prefer to hire candidates who can apply creative thinking when needed, but can also follow protocol and guidelines. If you lean a little more towards one or the other in regard to your skills or personal preference, share that. Doing so could help them place you within their teams, according to your talents, with clear indicators on how to motivate you in your work. However, assure the interviewer that you are an individual who can strike a balance between both.
"In the workplace, I naturally lean towards my preference of straightforward rules and expectations. From there, once I am comfortable in my knowledge base, I can start to think outside of the box. So - to answer your question - I would say I bring a healthy balance of both."
"I am most comfortable when my creativity is challenged. I like to think of new ways of working, and create alternate solutions to a variety of scenarios. With that said, I am more than capable of following a predetermined set of rules."
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
I like to apply creative thinking when needed but can also follow a protocol and guidelines.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer provides a nice balance. Try adding in an example of a time when you were creative, and a time when you were able to follow firm guidelines.
Anonymous Answer
I like to apply creative thinking when needed, but I follow protocols & guidelines. For example, I had a customer who needed an item our distributors did not carry. I spoke with my manager about ordering the item from a website & obtained permission to proceed.
Rachelle's Feedback
You make a great point regarding creative thinking while following guidelines. Your approach to this customer query was highly creative, indeed. Did everything work out in the end? Be sure always to provide a result.
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