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Teamwork-Related Mock Interview

To help you prepare for your job interview, here are 25 interview questions that are focused on your teamwork skills.

Teamwork was updated by on February 23rd, 2021. Learn more here.

Question 19 of 25

Have you experienced difficulties working with a previous manager? How did you handle the difference of opinion?

"I had an issue with my manager a few years ago because we disagreed on the course of action to take on a project that was going sideways. The discussion started to heat up, so I quickly let her know that I thought it was best we think about our course of action overnight, and book a formal meeting to discuss the challenges. We scheduled a meeting for the following day and were able to resolve the issue. In the end, she told me she appreciated my conflict management skills, my professional awareness and personal maturity surrounding the situation."

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How to Answer: Have you experienced difficulties working with a previous manager? How did you handle the difference of opinion?

  • 19. Have you experienced difficulties working with a previous manager? How did you handle the difference of opinion?

      How to Answer

      One of the ways you can show maturity and leadership in the workplace is by taking the initiative to build a healthy relationship with whoever is directly supervising you. If you experience conflict with a manager, you will know how to respond because you have already established a real-life example. Give an honest example of a time when you supported your manager despite a difference of opinion.

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      Answer Example

      "I had an issue with my manager a few years ago because we disagreed on the course of action to take on a project that was going sideways. The discussion started to heat up, so I quickly let her know that I thought it was best we think about our course of action overnight, and book a formal meeting to discuss the challenges. We scheduled a meeting for the following day and were able to resolve the issue. In the end, she told me she appreciated my conflict management skills, my professional awareness and personal maturity surrounding the situation."

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      Admin

      "I have worked for challenging personalities in the past. When this occurs, I remind myself that it is not personal. So long as I feel that my opinion matters, whether used or not, then I am entirely okay and can get along fine. I don't need to be right, but I do want to know that my voice matters."

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      Manager

      "I have had challenging managers in the past, and I am sure that I have been the challenging manager in my career as well! Not everyone will get along or agree 100% of the time, but that's good for business. Even leaders need to be respectfully challenged from time to time. It's the approach that matters. If I do not agree, I need to be ready to state my case, with facts, and leave emotion out of it."

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      Marketing

      "Luckily, I have had some amazing bosses so far! I did have a professor that I bumped heads with a bit when completing my Marketing degree. I felt that some of his comments on my work were not helpful so I went back to him numerous times to seek out more detailed feedback. It wasn't that I disagreed with the feedback, I just needed more background on his opinion, than he was often willing to provide."

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      Retail

      "I had a previous manager who was always late. She was the keyholder, and it would be so embarrassing when we had customers waiting outside, and she would arrive 10 minutes past our opening time. I expressed to her a few times how this made me feel, and she finally agreed to have a key made for me if I arrived first."

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      Sales

      "My very first sales manager was a challenging personality and did not provide excellent training, yet expected perfection nearly immediately. Rather than take it personally, I decided to take the training manuals home and study in the evenings and weekends. This extra studying ensured that I did not need to lean on him for answers. I was determined to succeed, no matter what my managers' personality or work approach."

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      Teacher

      "At the beginning of my career, I had an Assistant Principal who was not the kindest person. She wanted a promotion and believed that the best way to achieve this was to be tough on everyone. I just stayed out of her way as much as possible, and when we did have to interact, I would take the instructions and get my work done on time. She transferred soon after I started, so it certainly was not worth causing a riff over."

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "Direct communication, is always as simple as a conversation to resolve any issues."

      Chad's Feedback

      Direct communication is an effective way to resolve conflict. However, you have not quite answered the question. Let the interviewer know if you have experienced conflict with a manager in your professional career. If so, discuss the circumstances as well as how you were able to manage the relationship.

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