How to Answer: Talk about a time you had to work closely with someone who had a problematic personality.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Dental School job interview.
5. Talk about a time you had to work closely with someone who had a problematic personality.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
During your time in dental school training, you will work closely with some faculty who can be difficult at times and potentially with fellow students with conflicting personalities. The interviewers want to know how well you work with others, despite having different personalities. Your ability to adapt to various people as a dental student, regardless of a positive personality match, shows that you are mature and professional even when the situation is not ideal.
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 23rd, 2022
How to Answer
As you answer, avoid extreme responses that include speaking negatively of others or naming people. Also, avoid telling the interviewer that you get along with everyone all the time. Most interviewers will interpret a cliche response like that as dodging the question. Focus on a time your work style was different from another person's, but perhaps you still had to complete a project together. Discuss, in a positive tone, how you made it work and how you will bring this same approach as a student in this program.
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 23rd, 2022
Answer Example
"During my undergraduate program, I worked on a four-person project during my junior year in an Applied Human Psychology course. One member of our team had a very dominant, type-A personality, and they were difficult to work with effectively at first because this is not my type of personality. To work effectively with them, I made sure that all communication was direct and to the point, with little small talk or extra fluff. I also changed my work style a bit to always ensure that I was proving my productivity on the task at hand with them. I learned a lot from this experience that I can bring to dental school to ensure my success in working closely with any personality."
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 23rd, 2022
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