When have you faced an unexpected difficulty?
"One of the biggest unexpected difficulties came when both my boss and my direct report left within the same week for a new opportunity. I had half of my team but the same amount of workload to bear. I was able to use my leadership skills to pull another teammate on board for our project, and worked extra hours at home to pick up the slack. I was able to bootstrap the client proposal in the same amount of time with fewer hands on deck and land one of our largest clients to date. It was certainly a learning experience and proved that I could, in fact, do anything I set my mind to, with a bit of help from my team."
"Just last week, one of our most popular products was put on backorder. As an account manager, it was my responsibility to call all 80 of our clients to let them know that their expected shipment was, in fact, not delivered as expected. To make this task easier, I wrote a script which I followed and also came up with an incentive to soften the blow."
"Unexpected situations happen very often in my current position. For instance, just last week, we had major changes in industry regulations which changed how we could invoice our clients. I worked overtime with the Accounts Receivable department to ensure we complied with the change. It was stressful, but we made it happen."
"A few months ago, when our latest product design failed its endurance test, I had to quickly establish a cause analysis and put my team on corrective alert. This incident was one of those times when I was especially thankful for a responsive team. We all banned together to make the necessary amends to the product design with a minimal financial loss."
"I face unexpected difficulties every day, as a teacher. These difficulties can include a struggling student, an upset parent, or even an unexpected transfer. Part of being a teacher is being resistant to the stress associated with change."
"Our company was recently acquired by another department store. Nearly our entire group of staff left. I was lucky enough to keep my job; however, morale was low. I tried to keep my head high through it all and remain positive."
How you face unexpected difficulty can say a lot about your character. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have encountered stress in the workplace. Show that you are capable of professionally handling the unexpected!
"The biggest unexpected difficulty that I have faced was my unexpected lay off during the last recession. I had to adapt to a new economy and search deeply for other skills and opportunities. I was able to earn enough to avoid financial strain and am quite proud of my ability to be versatile when required."
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
One of my major job duties is managing adjunct faculty. I have been approached about a specific adjunct faculty and their behavior in the classroom or within our community. Many times an investigation begins to follow up with the situation. Unfortunately, after the investigation, the decision is to terminate their employment. I am responsible for the communication of the decision and to follow up with all appropriate departments.
Marcie's Feedback
Wow. This doesn't sound easy at all! Perhaps include some additional details about how exactly you communicate this decision and what steps you take to ensure that you handle this challenging task professionally, tactfully, and calmly.
