How do you handle difficult personalities?
"When dealing with difficult personalities, I stick to the phrase 'kill them with kindness.'"
Working with other people isn't always the pleasant experience we hope it will be. Whether it is a co-worker or someone from outside of the agency, there may be times when you encounter someone with a difficult personality. The interviewer wants to know how you handle these types of personalities and your ability to work with all types of people. Give an example of a time when this occurred and in your response, show the interviewer that you can remain professional, understanding, and patient.
"I can recall a time where I worked with a difficult co-worker. This individual had become disgruntled after being passed over for a promotion, so their interactions with others became less than pleasant. Even though it was a challenge to work with this person, I could empathize with how they might feel after not being promoted. Perhaps they needed the extra money for their family, or they worked really hard in hopes of earning it, which can be frustrating. In my interactions with this person, I continued to be professional and kept my focus on getting the job done instead of taking their behavior personally."
