Tell me about a time when you successfully dealt with an angry member of the public.

How to Answer
Entry Level
Answer Example

A significant part of most security guard roles includes dealing with the public and delivering a good impression on those you come across during your shift. The interviewer wants to know that you are capable of keeping your cool when dealing with difficult or even angry people. If you have any formal customer service training, this is a good time to mention what you learned and how you apply it in your work.

"I have a lot of experience with team sports, which can get pretty heated. Our schools' soccer team had an ongoing rivalry with a neighboring school that was fun but sometimes became too much. During one of our home games, the opposing teams' fans were throwing garbage on the field, disrupting our team, and the game overall. As the team manager, I was able to step in, call security, and have the key instigators removed from the premises. I believe it's imperative to stay calm and poised in these situations, no matter how out of control the other person or people become."

"I have done a lot of security work in a retail environment. In this type of environment, I dealt with people and attitudes of all kinds. I recall one woman around the holidays who was not allowed to make returns on boxing day because that was the store policy. It was simply too busy to process and re-stock returned items. She became irate and was screaming at the cashier, demanding her way. I approached the counter and asked her to lower her voice, or she would be removed from the store and banned from returning. She immediately realized the fuss she was causing and apologized before leaving."

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How to Answer: Tell me about a time when you successfully dealt with an angry member of the public.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Security Guard job interview.

13. Tell me about a time when you successfully dealt with an angry member of the public.

How to Answer

A significant part of most security guard roles includes dealing with the public and delivering a good impression on those you come across during your shift. The interviewer wants to know that you are capable of keeping your cool when dealing with difficult or even angry people. If you have any formal customer service training, this is a good time to mention what you learned and how you apply it in your work.

Written by Rachelle Enns on November 27th, 2019

Entry Level

"I have a lot of experience with team sports, which can get pretty heated. Our schools' soccer team had an ongoing rivalry with a neighboring school that was fun but sometimes became too much. During one of our home games, the opposing teams' fans were throwing garbage on the field, disrupting our team, and the game overall. As the team manager, I was able to step in, call security, and have the key instigators removed from the premises. I believe it's imperative to stay calm and poised in these situations, no matter how out of control the other person or people become."

Written by Rachelle Enns on November 27th, 2019

Answer Example

"I have done a lot of security work in a retail environment. In this type of environment, I dealt with people and attitudes of all kinds. I recall one woman around the holidays who was not allowed to make returns on boxing day because that was the store policy. It was simply too busy to process and re-stock returned items. She became irate and was screaming at the cashier, demanding her way. I approached the counter and asked her to lower her voice, or she would be removed from the store and banned from returning. She immediately realized the fuss she was causing and apologized before leaving."

Written by Rachelle Enns on November 27th, 2019

Next Question