How to Answer: Talk about a time when you had to work closely with someone who had a problematic personality.
1. Talk about a time when you had to work closely with someone who had a problematic personality.
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know how well you work with others despite a difference in personality. Your ability to adapt to various people, regardless of a positive personality match, shows that you are mature and professional even when factors are not entirely ideal.
Behavioral-based interview questions that begin with 'Talk about a time when...' 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 extreme responses that include speaking negatively of others or naming people. Also, avoid telling the interviewer that you get along with everyone all the time. Most interviewers will interpret a cliche response like that as dodging the question.
Focus on when your work style was different from another person, but perhaps you still had to complete a project together. Discuss, in a positive tone, how you made it work!
Written by Rachelle Enns on September 5th, 2021
Answer Example
"(Situation) In my previous job, I had a team member who would scoff at other co-workers' ideas in meetings. (Task) As the Marketing Manager, I knew I could not let this behavior continue. (Action) The HR Partner and I approached this person to discuss our company culture and how his behavior disrupted the environment. We wanted to create a resolution with this person. (Result) It turned out that he did not want to work in our division as he felt the projects were too 'junior' for his experience. He ended up requesting and receiving a transfer. By initiating an open conversation with this person, we were able to uncover his need. We also met the needs of our team by protecting the positive culture we had worked so hard to create."
Written by Rachelle Enns on September 5th, 2021
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