How to Answer: Tell me about a time at work when your integrity was challenged. How did you handle it?
4. Tell me about a time at work when your integrity was challenged. How did you handle it?
How to Answer
Have you ever faced a time, in the workplace, where you were put to the test when it came to your integrity? Perhaps a co-worker has asked you to lie, or you were tempted to be dishonest on your time sheet when the boss was away. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you overcame the temptation to be dishonest.
Answer Example
"Last year our manager went away on vacation for three weeks. Some of my co-workers wanted to falsify our time sheets to reflect overtime hours that we did not work. I disagreed and was able to convince them that it was a bad idea and certainly not worth being fired over."
Admin
"I rarely feel the pressure to do anything that goes against my integrity. I hold strong to my values and do not allow pressure to get to me."
Manager
"I once had a subordinate that would perform work after clocking out. There was a rumor later that I forced my team to work off the clock to save the company money. I did not know it was happening, and I certainly did not ask anyone to work outside of their scheduled shift. The situation was cleared up thankfully."
Marketing
"I had a client complain to my marketing director stating that I did not implement his requests. My boss was taken aback because he has never received a complaint regarding my work in the six years we have worked together. We worked towards a solution with the client, and my boss quickly realized the client contradicted himself often."
Retail
"I once had a customer accuse me of lying about our return policy. We had just changed it but had not update the website yet. I felt sad that someone would accuse me of lying. The situation was repaired quickly, thank goodness."
Sales
"My manager once asked us to lead our teams in a direction that was not in alignment with the overall department's mission and values. As a results-oriented person, I typically switch into high gear to accomplish the work. When I gave it thought, I realized it was against our best interests and brought my concerns to the leadership team. Together, we formulated a plan to meet the objective and still behave by our vision and values."
Teacher
"A parent was not happy with their child's grades, and they blamed my teaching. It was upsetting because they involved my principal. Luckily the principal knew the backstory and that the child was often late for school and would fall asleep at her desk. We worked collaboratively with the parent on a plan without placing the blame on anyone."