How do you manage conflicts with colleagues in the workplace?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Answer Example

Hiring managers ask this type of question to learn more about your personality. Past behavior often indicates how you would react in comparable future situations. Interviewers like to hear that prospective employees are honest and have strong opinions, and they want new team members who respond well to authority.

Use the STAR method to answer this question. Situation: Briefly explain the issue you dealt with in a positive, constructive way. Task: Describe your role in the situation. Action: Discuss what you did to resolve or address the situation. Result: Emphasize what you learned and the positive outcome of your actions. Provide an example you are proud of and explain the lessons you took away from the experience. Emphasize the resolution instead of dwelling on the conflict itself, and avoid saying anything derogatory about a former manager or colleague, as your interviewer will likely interpret this as unprofessional behavior.

"In my experience, communication is key in resolving conflicts. In a past position, I was working as a project manager on a nuclear energy research project, and one technician was constantly late finishing tasks. When I approached him about it, he reacted defensively. I stayed calm, acknowledged that the deadlines were challenging, and asked how I could assist him in improving his performance. He calmed down and told me that he was involved in another project where he had to do tasks that were not in his job description. After a meeting with the other project manager, we came to a resolution that alleviated the technician's workload. For the remainder of the project, the technician delivered great work."

Next Question

How to Answer: How do you manage conflicts with colleagues in the workplace?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Nuclear Engineer job interview.

3. How do you manage conflicts with colleagues in the workplace?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Hiring managers ask this type of question to learn more about your personality. Past behavior often indicates how you would react in comparable future situations. Interviewers like to hear that prospective employees are honest and have strong opinions, and they want new team members who respond well to authority.

Written by Sue Oberliesen on March 5th, 2022

How to Answer

Use the STAR method to answer this question. Situation: Briefly explain the issue you dealt with in a positive, constructive way. Task: Describe your role in the situation. Action: Discuss what you did to resolve or address the situation. Result: Emphasize what you learned and the positive outcome of your actions. Provide an example you are proud of and explain the lessons you took away from the experience. Emphasize the resolution instead of dwelling on the conflict itself, and avoid saying anything derogatory about a former manager or colleague, as your interviewer will likely interpret this as unprofessional behavior.

Written by Sue Oberliesen on March 5th, 2022

Answer Example

"In my experience, communication is key in resolving conflicts. In a past position, I was working as a project manager on a nuclear energy research project, and one technician was constantly late finishing tasks. When I approached him about it, he reacted defensively. I stayed calm, acknowledged that the deadlines were challenging, and asked how I could assist him in improving his performance. He calmed down and told me that he was involved in another project where he had to do tasks that were not in his job description. After a meeting with the other project manager, we came to a resolution that alleviated the technician's workload. For the remainder of the project, the technician delivered great work."

Written by Sue Oberliesen on March 5th, 2022

Next Question