Have you ever had a conflict with a boss? How was it resolved?

How to Answer
Entry Level
Experience

Do not say no! Most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it. Your answer to this question might determine whether you get the job, so be careful to avoid making the following blunders: Don't give examples in which you and the manager had to stop working together entirely. Rather than criticizing a past manager, let the objective facts speak for themselves. If possible, try to discuss a conflict or dispute that did not stem from questionable behaviors on your own part.

Don't allude to frequent conflicts; this can give the impression that this is an issue you regularly face.

Try to avoid displaying a negative attitude when you give your answer, as this could lead a manager to think that you would bring a similar outlook on this job.

"I had a conflict with a manager earlier in my career. One of our team members skipped out on work six times in one month, and I was always asked to cover their shift last minute. I was frustrated and could not understand why my manager wasn't just terminating the employee. I reacted hastily, and the manager patiently reminded me that he had his reasons. He explained that he asked me to cover the shifts because he liked me and I was reliable. It turns out the absent employee had serious health concerns, and our manager was trying to be empathetic without disclosing the situation to our team. I felt terrible and learned that sometimes things aren't always as they seem. I apologized, and all was well."

"Yes, I have had conflict in the past. Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other person's perspective, so I can take time to listen to their point of view, and then I seek to work out a collaborative solution."

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How to Answer: Have you ever had a conflict with a boss? How was it resolved?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Finance job interview.

9. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss? How was it resolved?

How to Answer

Do not say no! Most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you behaviorally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it. Your answer to this question might determine whether you get the job, so be careful to avoid making the following blunders: Don't give examples in which you and the manager had to stop working together entirely. Rather than criticizing a past manager, let the objective facts speak for themselves. If possible, try to discuss a conflict or dispute that did not stem from questionable behaviors on your own part.

Don't allude to frequent conflicts; this can give the impression that this is an issue you regularly face.

Try to avoid displaying a negative attitude when you give your answer, as this could lead a manager to think that you would bring a similar outlook on this job.

Written by Bobbi Witt on June 18th, 2018

Entry Level

"I had a conflict with a manager earlier in my career. One of our team members skipped out on work six times in one month, and I was always asked to cover their shift last minute. I was frustrated and could not understand why my manager wasn't just terminating the employee. I reacted hastily, and the manager patiently reminded me that he had his reasons. He explained that he asked me to cover the shifts because he liked me and I was reliable. It turns out the absent employee had serious health concerns, and our manager was trying to be empathetic without disclosing the situation to our team. I felt terrible and learned that sometimes things aren't always as they seem. I apologized, and all was well."

Written by Bobbi Witt

Experience

"Yes, I have had conflict in the past. Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I've found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other person's perspective, so I can take time to listen to their point of view, and then I seek to work out a collaborative solution."

Written by Bobbi Witt on June 18th, 2018

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