Talk about a time that you had to make a difficult ethical decision?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Answer Example

The interviewer wants to know that, if faced with a difficult ethical situation, you will make the right decision. Ethical decisions speak to an employee's honesty and integrity, which is important to any company. In the scientific field, it is especially important to report any ethical concerns, as some poor ethical decisions can result in the invalidation of data and testing. Talk about a time you were faced with an ethical decision or a time that you witnessed someone else making a poor ethical decision and how you handled it. Ethical decisions can involve reporting false data, false time reporting, and violating confidentiality, to name a few.

"In my current role, I learned that a coworker was taking breaks to go to his car for a nap without clocking out. This person was also a friend, so it was not an easy decision to make, but I knew it was not ethical and was ultimately setting our team behind on testing when he was not there to complete his work. I ended up telling my supervisor about my coworker's breaks."

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How to Answer: Talk about a time that you had to make a difficult ethical decision?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Biochemistry Technician job interview.

32. Talk about a time that you had to make a difficult ethical decision?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer wants to know that, if faced with a difficult ethical situation, you will make the right decision. Ethical decisions speak to an employee's honesty and integrity, which is important to any company. In the scientific field, it is especially important to report any ethical concerns, as some poor ethical decisions can result in the invalidation of data and testing. Talk about a time you were faced with an ethical decision or a time that you witnessed someone else making a poor ethical decision and how you handled it. Ethical decisions can involve reporting false data, false time reporting, and violating confidentiality, to name a few.

Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on December 14th, 2021

Answer Example

"In my current role, I learned that a coworker was taking breaks to go to his car for a nap without clocking out. This person was also a friend, so it was not an easy decision to make, but I knew it was not ethical and was ultimately setting our team behind on testing when he was not there to complete his work. I ended up telling my supervisor about my coworker's breaks."

Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on December 14th, 2021

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