Tell me how you handled a difficult situation at your last position?

How to Answer
Answer Example

This question is about your performance and problem-solving abilities. The interviewer wants to understand how you've dealt with challenges and pressure in the workplace and how you handle challenging situations. It's important to pick a real example with a positive outcome. You'll want to share a story that demonstrates your leadership or critical thinking skills. Think of examples that will showcase how you are resourceful and composed when under pressure. Use the STAR technique - talk about the situation, task, actions, and results directly and sensibly.

"At my last company, I was managing the content on a new website that was supposed to launch in two weeks. One of the senior editors found a major problem in the layout and wanted to push back on the deadline, which I knew the company wouldn't appreciate. I understood the editors pushed to move the deadline, but I also knew the company had to have the website up and running on time. I didn't want to push him and the team too hard but instead focused on finding out what they needed to help solve the situation. We created a list of things we could delay and work on after the launch and put effort into fixing the layout to allow the launch - even if not in the most perfect way possible. The team understood the priorities, and we could work together to direct resources where they were needed. In the end, we launched the website on time, increasing company sales by 20% in the first week, and we had to fully functional site up within two weeks of launch."

Next Question

How to Answer: Tell me how you handled a difficult situation at your last position?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Editor job interview.

39. Tell me how you handled a difficult situation at your last position?

How to Answer

This question is about your performance and problem-solving abilities. The interviewer wants to understand how you've dealt with challenges and pressure in the workplace and how you handle challenging situations. It's important to pick a real example with a positive outcome. You'll want to share a story that demonstrates your leadership or critical thinking skills. Think of examples that will showcase how you are resourceful and composed when under pressure. Use the STAR technique - talk about the situation, task, actions, and results directly and sensibly.

Written by Sue Oberliesen on November 11th, 2021

Answer Example

"At my last company, I was managing the content on a new website that was supposed to launch in two weeks. One of the senior editors found a major problem in the layout and wanted to push back on the deadline, which I knew the company wouldn't appreciate. I understood the editors pushed to move the deadline, but I also knew the company had to have the website up and running on time. I didn't want to push him and the team too hard but instead focused on finding out what they needed to help solve the situation. We created a list of things we could delay and work on after the launch and put effort into fixing the layout to allow the launch - even if not in the most perfect way possible. The team understood the priorities, and we could work together to direct resources where they were needed. In the end, we launched the website on time, increasing company sales by 20% in the first week, and we had to fully functional site up within two weeks of launch."

Written by Sue Oberliesen on November 11th, 2021

Next Question