Conflict Interview Questions
Master 15 conflict interview questions covering workplace disputes, resolution strategies, and emotional intelligence.
Question 13 of 15
Have you, or would you ever, correct your boss?
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Conflict can occur between yourself and a boss, especially if you don't see eye to eye on approaching a particular task or if your communication styles are not compatible. The interviewers want insight into how you would handle a situation where you felt the need to correct your boss' behavior.
When responding to a question like this, it's best to give a specific story-based example rather than responding with a generalization. You can form your response using the STAR framework, an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result.
If you have not experienced a situation like this in the past, you can speak hypothetically, being sure to address how you would handle a situation where you wanted to correct your boss.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Yes, I would correct my boss if it was necessary; however, I would approach the situation in a way that did not offend them or create a conflict between us. (Situation & Task) Many years ago, I had a boss who made me feel uncomfortable. They would rush my work, look over my shoulder, and criticize the speed at which I worked. I had just graduated college, and this was my first professional opportunity, so I wanted to do a great job, but I was new to the workforce and needed time to adjust to my new role and responsibilities. (Action) I approached my boss privately and kindly reminded them that this was my first professional position out of college and that I was still learning the role. I let this person know that their micromanaging made me feel uncomfortable and only worsened my performance because it impacted my confidence. (Result) My boss apologized and committed to helping me by showing me their methods for time and task management. Because I was honest and upfront and did not correct the behavior in a condescending way, we were able to find a much more harmonious way of working together."
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