Tell me about a time when you worked with a person who did things very differently than you. How did you get the job done?

What You Need to Know
Answer Example

Everyone has different styles and ways of getting work accomplished. It does not mean one person's way of doing something is better than another. For this reason, the interviewer wants to gain insight into how you handle working with people who have different work styles or approaches. It's important to work collaboratively and effectively with a diverse range of colleagues, and this question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to adapt and find common ground with others. When answering, it's important to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, be open-minded, and find creative solutions to challenges that may arise. Ultimately, the interviewer wants to know you can work well with others and contribute to a positive, productive work environment.

"Recently, I worked on a project with a colleague who had a very different approach than mine. While I preferred to plan and organize everything meticulously, my colleague was more spontaneous and relied heavily on intuition. At first, it was challenging to find common ground, but we quickly realized that our different perspectives could actually complement each other. We started by identifying our individual strengths and weaknesses and divided the tasks accordingly. I focused on the more structured aspects of the project, while my colleague took charge of the creative side. We communicated regularly and were open to each other's ideas, which helped us refine our approach and develop an innovative solution. In the end, we delivered a successful project that exceeded our expectations. Working with someone who has a different style can be challenging, but it can also be an opportunity for growth and learning."

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How to Answer: Tell me about a time when you worked with a person who did things very differently than you. How did you get the job done?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Clinical Research Coordinator job interview.

1. Tell me about a time when you worked with a person who did things very differently than you. How did you get the job done?

What You Need to Know

Everyone has different styles and ways of getting work accomplished. It does not mean one person's way of doing something is better than another. For this reason, the interviewer wants to gain insight into how you handle working with people who have different work styles or approaches. It's important to work collaboratively and effectively with a diverse range of colleagues, and this question allows the interviewer to assess your ability to adapt and find common ground with others. When answering, it's important to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively, be open-minded, and find creative solutions to challenges that may arise. Ultimately, the interviewer wants to know you can work well with others and contribute to a positive, productive work environment.

Written by Krista Wenz on July 10th, 2023

Answer Example

"Recently, I worked on a project with a colleague who had a very different approach than mine. While I preferred to plan and organize everything meticulously, my colleague was more spontaneous and relied heavily on intuition. At first, it was challenging to find common ground, but we quickly realized that our different perspectives could actually complement each other. We started by identifying our individual strengths and weaknesses and divided the tasks accordingly. I focused on the more structured aspects of the project, while my colleague took charge of the creative side. We communicated regularly and were open to each other's ideas, which helped us refine our approach and develop an innovative solution. In the end, we delivered a successful project that exceeded our expectations. Working with someone who has a different style can be challenging, but it can also be an opportunity for growth and learning."

Written by Krista Wenz on July 10th, 2023

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About the Author

Krista Wenz

I have been on thousands of interview panels hiring first responders, healthcare professionals, and other types of staff for public and private agencies. With over 30 years of experience as a Firefighter-Paramedic and EMS Educator, I have developed curriculum, training materials, and mock interview sessions to assist candidates interviewing for these positions.

My passion is to help job seekers feel confident in their interview skills. The thought of going to your interview can cause anxiety in many. However, when you are prepared and confident in your ability to answer the questions, you will do much better in your interview.

Since 2021, I have enjoyed contributing to numerous MockQuestions interview question and answer sets, including Clinical Research Coordinator, Occupational Health and Safety Technician, Paramedic, and Health Educator. My goal is to help you feel comfortable answering any question you are given and ace your interview. This article offers 35 questions, expert tips, and answer examples that will help you prepare for a successful clinical research coordinator interview.

Learn more about Krista Wenz