Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed.
The interviewer wants to hear more about your critical thinking skills. They would also like to see that you can use logic to make sound decisions. The goal of your response is to show that you are capable and confident when it comes to independent thinking and decision-making.
"(Situation) In my current role, I am responsible for creating the weekly schedule for 56 staff members. (Task) When I first took on the responsibility of scheduling, I did not have any data regarding our busiest times of the week and day. (Action) I worked hard to 'guesstimate' our customer traffic while remaining under the staffing budget and, at the same time, not understaffing. I used my logic and critical thinking skills to fill in the blanks for the data that I did not have. (Result) This scheduling approach worked out quite well for me. Now I fully understand our customer traffic flow, which has made staff scheduling a breeze."
"(Situation) In my position, ambiguity is a large part of my daily reality. (Task) As an Executive Assistant, I often find myself making decisions wishing I had just a little bit more data. (Action) Just last week, the executive I support sent me a rough outline of her preferred travel itinerary. I knew that some of her requests would work and that some would not align with pre-booked meetings. In this case, I looked at everything I had scheduled for her up to that point, created what-if scenarios for several variables, and selected the best possible option. (Result) I always do my best for this executive, and she appreciates my hard work and critical thinking."
"(Situation) Often, our agency's clients are vague about their needs or the vision for their project. (Task) As a Creative Director, I know this vague approach occurs because they don't fully know what they seek. I have had to fill in the blanks many times. (Action) To do this, I bring forward a few tools such as questionnaires, brand sprints, and discovery sessions. (Result) By using these tools, I can get to know my clients well. Also, it helps me to be more comfortable in making executive decisions on projects."
"(Situation) I recently had a customer seeking a particular piece of inventory that was hard to source. (Task) As a seasoned Account Rep, I knew my products very well. I also knew that there were only two products nationwide that met his criteria. (Action) These products were seemingly identical, but I had to choose which one to purchase on his behalf. With a price tag of 5k, it was a significant decision to make. I leveraged my industry knowledge and my understanding of the customer. (Result) By using context and prior knowledge, as well as a bit of instinct, I made the right choice, and my customer was thrilled."
"(Situation) Often when a customer dispute arises, I am missing pieces of the story. One particular example that comes to mind occurred just last week when a customer stormed in and demanded a refund. (Task) As the Retail Manager, whether I had the full story or not, I was instantly pulled into making a customer service decision. (Action) I quickly assessed what category the problem seemed to fall in, whether it was a service, product, or pricing issue. Once I determined that it was a product issue, I knew I would go ahead and offer a product replacement. (Result) All in all, this customer dispute lasted under five minutes, and I was able to avoid any other potential damage to our store's reputation."
"(Situation) For years, my department didn't have a consistent or reliable way to quantify the effectiveness of our teaching methods. (Task) As a teacher, this presents a challenge when it comes time to tweaking the curriculum or even gaining accurate feedback. (Action) Two years ago, I proposed that we set up four tests throughout the year to test cumulative knowledge. My department head agreed, and we have been using these tests ever since. (Result) Now we shape most of our teaching decisions using actual data, making for much clearer feedback."
"(Situation) Before my company had an HR department, I had to lead all of the hiring efforts. (Task) I was often missing information critical to job offers, such as details on the company's health benefits plan. As a new manager, I was afraid of looking green and unorganized. (Action) I connected with our benefits account rep, and they agreed to come to my office and walk me through the details of our benefits package. (Result) After this meeting, I had a clearer understanding and was able to answer most candidate questions with ease."
Think about a time during your career when you needed to make a decision without all of the information you would typically possess. Then, tell a story that outlines the situation and how you approached coming to a conclusion. Outline your ability to think critically and independently. At the end of your response, be sure to make a connection between your decision-making abilities and how you will make an impact in this new role.
Behavioral-based interview questions that begin with 'Tell me about a time...' are best answered using the STAR method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Organizing your response using this framework will ensure that you provide the interviewer with the right amount of information and detail to form a compelling answer.
Avoid giving a general answer regarding your decision-making skills. Stay away from vague statements like, 'I am a skilled decision-maker and am confident in my ability to come to decisions even in an ambiguous environment.'
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
In my current role, I am responsible for creating a weekly schedule. I didn't have any data regarding our busiest times of the week so I had to guess and still remain under staffing budget but at the same time avoid understaffing. I used my logic and past experience at other pharmacies to make decisions on staff scheduling.
Rachelle's Feedback
I reworded this just a touch, to help with the flow. Otherwise, good response.
"In my current role, I am responsible for creating the weekly schedule. I don't have access to data regarding our busiest times of the week, so I had to figure out the schedule to ensure I remained under the staffing budget, while at the same time having enough coverage. I used my logic and experience at other pharmacies to make decisions on staff scheduling."
Anonymous Answer
When I was new to the role of the secretary for the faculty academic committee, I was responsible for scheduling the committee meeting dates at the beginning of the year. I did not have all information ready for me to use. I used my logic, research, and good judgment skills that scheduled the dates to better suit the academic board agenda closing date, as well as our committee members' teaching schedule. It worked quite well for me, and now with more knowledge in my role, it has become much easier for me.
Rachelle's Feedback
It's great that you refer to your logic, research, and good judgement. This is exactly what the interviewer would be looking for.
Anonymous Answer
In my current role, sometimes we can end up having data that we don't have much information on. I had to guesstimate what the other group wanted with their data and how to analyze it. So, I used my logic and critical thinking skills to fill in the blanks for the data for which I did not have much information. It worked out quite well for me. Now I fully understand their needs.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer is well laid out and highlights a strong ability to collect information to problem solve. Well done.
Anonymous Answer
I would often have to create orders for new accounts without knowing what was going to sell in that particular store. I made guesses based on store location, what sold in other stores locally, what our best sellers were, were there schools locally and what my experience told me.
Rachelle's Feedback
Perfect way to show the interviewer that you are able to look at past data to make educated decisions! I reworded this as the end of your response fell slightly.
"When working for {company name}, I would often have to create orders for new accounts without knowing what was going to sell in that particular store. I made educated guesses based on store location, what sold in other stores locally, what our best sellers were, and what I have learned from previous experience."
Anonymous Answer
At my last job, I had a customer come in and tell us that she was shorted on her medication after she tried to fill it, and it came up early refill. Back then, our inventory management was not as good as it was later, and our on-hands were not always accurate.
Since it was for a non-controlled substance diabetic medication, I provided enough medication to make it until the next fill date per the computer. I also documented it as an incident report as a quantity refill error.
Since it was a generic medication and not too expensive, I decided to take the patient at her word and provided her with enough medication until her next refill date.
Kevin's Feedback
Excellent display of problem solving skills! I've slightly revised your answer for clarity.
As a pharmacist, sometimes you have to weigh all the facts to come to an educated decision. Sometimes you have to make dues with the information you have. Unless it’s something like a controlled substance, you can frequently fall in a grey area. For example, at my last job before our inventory management had undergone several improvements, and we relied on our flawed on-hands methods, a customer came in. She explained was shorted on her medication after she tried to fill it. She was understanding and worked with us. So, naturally, she came in early for a refill. But there was no record of it, which wasn’t uncommon. Since it was for an inexpensive non-controlled substance, a generic diabetic medication, I decided to take the patient at her word and provided her with enough to get her to her next refill date. I also documented it as an incident report as a quantity refill error.
Anonymous Answer
In as much as I strive to attain all the information I require, there are at times I have drafted Letters of Interest to the tentative Landlords without having all the commercials that would make the letter of offer more attractive. I, however, use the letter as a means of initiating discussions especially when there is competition to acquire the property by our direct competitors and communication of interest is urgently required.
Rachelle's Feedback
Good response! This answer shows that you are not afraid to start without all the info, but are aware and open to changes as your projects unfold.
Anonymous Answer
We have a big customer that had a critical issue with their alarm system software that we develop where it was not working. I didn't have all the information, but I went ahead and escalated the issue to our development team because of the critical nature of the problem. They found a bug in the software, resolved it pretty quickly, and the customer was satisfied in the end.
Kristine's Feedback
Excellent response! The interviewer will be glad to know your reasoning behind your decision to escalate the issue.
Anonymous Answer
They asked me to help find an EMR system for our practice. Basically, with no direction, I took the initiative to ask all the doctors what they've had experience with first and get their opinions than with the help of a doctor I work with regularly we sat through a few presentations before making our decision. We now have created and perfected an EMR system that we work with regularly.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer shows that you have excellent research skills and the willingness to explore carefully before making a decision. Nicely done!
Unlock all 31 Behavioral questions
Unlock expert responses that reveal what interviewers assess in your stories.
Get Started