Describe to me a time where you had to make a hard decision.

1 Answer

Answer :

Hard decisions are hard for a reason. It could dramatically eect the company. It could aect other workers. So if you have a story about how you made a hard decision and had a good outcome, share that. If you have one where the outcome wasn't great, explain how you would have changed the way you approached the decision to show you learned how to improve.

Related questions

Description : Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision, but didn't have all the information you needed.

Last Answer : This question is designed to see whether you know how to ask the right questions to get the information you need. The company doesn't want someone who makes a decision without all of the information.

Description : Give me an example of a time you had to make an important decision. How did you make the decision? How does it affect you today?

Last Answer : Describing your decision-making process is more important than the decision itself. How do you decide on a solution?

Description : Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it? Why? Were you happy with the outcome?

Last Answer : In many scenarios, you will not have all the information needed. The key is to make the best possible decision based on what you deem to be a sucient amount of information.

Description : What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?  

Last Answer : TRAPS: Giving an unprepared or irrelevant answer. BEST ANSWER: Be prepared with a good example, explaining why the decision was difficult…the process you followed in reaching it…the courageous or effective way you carried it out…and the beneficial results.

Description : Give an example of a time in which you had to be relatively quick in coming to a decision.

Last Answer : This question is designed to see how you act under pressure. Give an example of a time when you had only a short time to come to a decision, what happened, what did you do, and what was the result?

Description : Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.

Last Answer : Not every decision is popular. In fact, almost every decision is bound to make someone unhappy at some point. The key is to demonstrate how it impacted others positively and why you chose it.

Description : Tell me about a decision you made recently and how you reached it.

Last Answer : The key is to show that you put a lot of thought (weighing out the pros and cons) but were able to be decisive. Be sure to explain your logic in arriving at the decision.

Description : Tell me about a dicult decision you've made in the last year.

Last Answer : We all have dicult decisions in our lives. Show how you were able to arrive at it and then how you decisively acted.

Description : What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision.

Last Answer : The interviewer wants to know that you don't just jump into a solution without knowing the problem in detail. You want to study the problem by determining the cause of the problem, what the problem is, and what the possible solutions are. You then decide on a solution.

Description : What are some of the things that you and your supervisor disagree upon and how do you resolve them? What do you do when you are pressed for a decision?

Last Answer : The key is that you openly communicate your thoughts to your supervisor to explain your position and try to come to a mutual decision together. Also be sure to listen to his/her thoughts so that you can ... you've put thought into the reasons as to how you arrived at it and then decisively make it.

Description : Have there been instances, when your decision was challenged by your colleague or manager?

Last Answer : Yes, there have been many such instances. I like people who challenge my decisions rather than following me blindly. This keeps me ensured that I am surrounded by thinking brains rather than just a set ... , you are bound to rethink over it and the chances of reaching the best option are brighter.

Description : Describe a time when you had to make a dicult choice between your personal and professional (or academic) life.

Last Answer : This question is designed to see whether you're willing to go the extra mile for the company. Give an example that shows your dedication, without giving too many details about your family life. Also, you don't want to come across as though you hate your family either.

Description : Describe a time when you had to use your written communication skills to get an important point across.

Last Answer : This is a good time to explain how well you use email, or how you create charts or diagrams. If you've ever created a training manual or procedures manual, talk about that. The interviewer wants to know that you are a good writer.

Description : Describe a time when you had to help a coworker out that did not directly benefit you?

Last Answer : There should be many times where you've assisted others. If you haven't, think of how you would in the future. You can discuss charitable causes, how you mentored someone, and so on.

Description : Describe a situation where you felt you had not communicated well. How did you correct the situation?

Last Answer : Communication is important, so focus on what you learned from the situation and how you no longer make the same mistake.

Description : Describe a situation in which you had to use reference materials to write a research paper. What was the topic? What journals did you read?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see what your research methods are. Explain how you organize your research and what types of materials you use.

Description : Describe a situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise or guide others to a compromise.

Last Answer : This question is designed to see how well you can mediate a situation and handle conflict. You want to come across as someone who can compromise when necessary.

Description : Sometimes it's easy to get in "over your head." Describe a situation where you had to request help or assistance on a project or assignment.

Last Answer : Requesting help isn't a bad thing, it shows that you put the company first instead of yourself. Give an example of a time when so many projects landed on your plate and you had to ask for help, who you asked, and how you decided what you would do and what the other person would do.

Description : Describe the most significant or creative presentation that you have had to complete.

Last Answer : What was the presentation about, how did you prepare, who did you give the presentation to, and how do you believe the presentation went?

Description : Describe an instance when you had to think on your feet to extricate yourself from a dicult situation.

Last Answer : Only give examples of where the end result was good, not an example of where it didn't work out or you had to lie yourself out of situation. This question will see how you act under pressure. Paint yourself in a good light when it comes to handling pressure.

Description : Give me an example of when you competed hard and won.

Last Answer : You can reference many dierent areas here when discussing a story of where you won in competition: Work experience (ideal), sports, clubs, classes, projects.

Description : You’ve been with your firm a long time. Won’t it be hard switching to a new company? 

Last Answer : TRAPS: Your interviewer is worried that this old dog will find it hard to learn new tricks. BEST ANSWER: To overcome this objection, you must point to the many ways you have grown and ... you should be quite comfortable working there, since their needs and your skills make a perfect match.   

Description : Give two examples of things you've done in previous jobs or school that demonstrate your willingness to work hard.

Last Answer : It would be good to have an example from school and from work. Explain what you did and why you wanted to work hard, and how you managed your time.

Description : We would like you to reduce our costs by $1,000,000 in our operations department. Describe to me how you would implement that project.

Last Answer : Ask for more information on the current operations department and what their key challenges and ineciencies are. From there, discuss how your ideas would cut down on costs.

Description : I have a customer list of 10,000 businesses. Describe to me how you would create 1,000 marketing impressions from that list.

Last Answer : Think of the dierent marketing campaigns you could run through direct marketing (TV, radio, newspapers/magazines), digital formats, social marketing, viral marketing and so forth.

Description : Can you perform Internet research? Please describe to me your steps in doing so.

Last Answer : Internet research can entail Google searches, industry sites, news articles, social networks and company websites.

Description : Describe a time when you took personal accountability for a conflict and initiated contact with the individual(s) involved to explain your actions.

Last Answer : This question is designed to see how you handle conflict and to see whether you can move beyond it. The company also wants to know that you can take accountability and responsibility and not put it on someone else.

Description : Describe the last time that you undertook a project that demanded a lot of initiative.

Last Answer : Describe that you take initiative and are self-driven. You want to give an example that is recent, because it shows that you still have initiative, not that you had it 12 years ago.

Description : Describe a time when you put your needs aside to help a co-worker or classmate understand a task. How did you assist him or her? What was the result?

Last Answer : This is a question that deals with communicating ideas and how eectively you can train someone else. Describe what you do to train someone and how you break things down into a level they can understand.

Description : Describe a time when you got co-workers or classmates who dislike each other to work together. How did you accomplish this? What was the outcome?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see how well you can mediate a situation and handle conflict. You want to come across as someone who can compromise when necessary.

Description : Describe a situation that required a number of things to be done at the same time. How did you handle it? What was the result?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see if you have the ability to multitask. Give an example of how you've successfully juggled many things at once.

Description : Describe a time when you were faced with problems or stresses that tested your coping skills.

Last Answer : Give an example of a situation where you correctly used your coping skills. Explain the situation, what you did to cope, what the result was, and how others reacted to the result.

Description : Describe a time when you've been overwhelmed with work.

Last Answer : Show how you were able to over the "overwhelmed" feeling - by delegating tasks, getting people on your team to help you out, or by prioritizing your work and focusing on the most important issues first.

Description : Describe a time where you've failed and bounced back.

Last Answer : Share a story to describe this. For example: "I accidentally made the mistake of telling a customer I could deliver on a solution set on a certain date and then later found out our business ... this and that I should always check with my counterparts first before committing to a statement of work."

Description : Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed preventive measures.

Last Answer : The key here is to show that you were proactive. How did you find out about the potential problems? How did you address it quickly?

Description : Describe a time when you put your needs aside to help a co-worker understand a task. How did you assist them? What was the result?

Last Answer : The key is to show that the mentoring of a co-worker was first a higher priority than the task you had at hand (remember, you want to show that you focus on highest priority tasks first). Then, describe in ... do it on their own. You want to teach them HOW to fish and not to simply fish for them.

Description : Describe a time when your workload was heavy?

Last Answer : I remembered when I was still working for ABC company, the time when it was planning to take over another company. there was much work to do, dealing with internal workforce, workforce of the ... clients. That was quite a stressful situation, however, we managed to get over it very successfully.

Description : Describe a time when your workload was heavy?

Last Answer : Interview questions: Answer tips/answer samples: Following are some sample answers to this question: During the time while I was still working for HKL factory. The factory received a special ... . That was quite a stressful situation, however, we managed to get over it very successfully.

Description : Describe a time when you did not get along with a coworker.  

Last Answer : Bad answer: "I'm easy to get along with, so I've never had any kind of discord with another coworker. Interviewers don't like these types of easy out answers. And besides, ... work well together. I really believe that talking a problem through with someone can help solve any issue.  

Description : Can you describe how you accomplished a personal goal?

Last Answer : I wrote a short story, and my goal was to get it published. I went to the library and researched which magazines accepted short-story submissions. Then I sent my story to those publications that ... for about six months. This answer does not demonstrate any skills that are needed in the workplace.

Description : Describe how you accomplished a work-related goal.

Last Answer : When I started working for Daylight Publications, I discovered that I had inherited a huge file cabinet full of photographs. We used photographs in our magazine but usually wound up purchasing stock photos, ... able to do it. This in no way demonstrates any job-related skills the interviewee has.

Description : Can you describe your ideal work environment?

Last Answer : I want to work in an environment where I can use my presentation skills to help the company increase its client roster. It's important that I work in a fast-paced environment, because I like ... employer's offices, this answer doesn't say anything about the job or her qualifications for it.

Description : Describe your management style.

Last Answer : Are you a micro manager? Are you a manager that empowers other people? If you're the latter, how do you do so? Do you set a clear goal for the team?

Description : Describe your most meaningful work experience.

Last Answer : Describe a work experience that was meaningful; explain what you were doing and why it was meaningful to you. What did you learn?

Description : Describe a situation where your work was criticized.

Last Answer : Explain the situation and what the criticism was. How did you correct the problem? How did you handle the criticism?

Description : What five words would you say describe you best?

Last Answer : Choose these words carefully, and only choose five (if you don't follow instructions the company will frown on your answer). Choose words that describe attributes that you want the interviewer to know about you.

Description : Describe a team experience you found disappointing. What could you have done to prevent it?

Last Answer : The example you give should be one in which your team did not work well together, and you will show that you've learned from it and now use open communication to make certain everyone knows his/her role on the team.

Description : Tell about a recent job or campus experience that you would describe as a real learning experience? What did you learn from the job or experience?

Last Answer : Focus on what you learned and how you will take those lessons and use them in the future.

Description : Describe a situation when you were able to have a positive influence on the actions of others.

Last Answer : This question is designed to see whether you can motivate others and help achieve a positive attitude. Explain how you motivate others and what you do to determine what motivates them.

Description : Describe a project or situation that best demonstrates your analytical abilities.

Last Answer : Describe your thinking and reasoning process from the example you give. Your process is more important than the situation itself.