Have you ever been in a situation where the majority disagrees with you? What did you do?

Have you ever been in a situation where the majority disagrees with you? What did you do?
by

1 Answer

Answer :

I haven’t been in that situation, but here’s what I would do if I were: First I would listen to why the majority felt the way they did. Then I’d decide whether I needed to reconsider my position. If I still felt strongly about it after hearing their side, I would try to persuade them to come over to mine. This candidate knew better than to dismiss the question just because he couldn’t draw on his experience to answer it. Rather than make something up, he tells the interviewer what he would do if he were in that situation. His answer shows that he is flexible enough to try to see things differently, but strong enough in his convictions to not automatically go with the crowd.

Never Say: “We were designing our new brochure and I thought yellow and purple would look great. Everyone else wanted to go with burgundy and blue. Since I had the most seniority, they had to do it my way.” Flexible? No. A bully? Maybe.
by

Related questions

Have you ever mentored anyone before? If yes, describe the situation.

Description : Have you ever mentored anyone before? If yes, describe the situation.

Last Answer : Describe a time where you've helped someone else. Mentorships can be informal so as you've helped someone over a period of time that can certainly count. The key is to highlight how ... skills/attributes like coaching, teaching, patience, communication skills, and so forth to mentor that person.

What do you call someone who ALWAYS disagrees with everything?

Description : What do you call someone who ALWAYS disagrees with everything?

Last Answer : A contrarian

If a state law disagrees with a federal law.. what happens?

Description : If a state law disagrees with a federal law.. what happens?

Last Answer : The federal law is over the state.

When the group disagrees, it is usually over how the work should get done. The type of conflict experienced by your group is: (a) task conflict. (b) relationship conflict. ; (c) process conflict. ; (d)traditional conflict.

Description : When the group disagrees, it is usually over how the work should get done. The type of conflict experienced by your group is: (a) task conflict. (b) relationship conflict. ; (c) process conflict. ; (d)traditional conflict.

Last Answer : ; (c) process conflict. ;

Your company just had a security breach and 50,000 customer credit cards were stolen, how do you handle the situation?

Description : Your company just had a security breach and 50,000 customer credit cards were stolen, how do you handle the situation?

Last Answer : Find out what the best solution is that will protect your customers. Immediately find out who the 50,000 customers were. From there, issue a notice detailing what happened and explain ... the solution (which should be implemented immediately). Oer free credit protection services to the customers.

Describe a situation where your work was criticized.

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?

Recall a situation in which communications were poor. How did you handle it?

Description : Recall a situation in which communications were poor. How did you handle it?

Last Answer : This doesn't have be an example where you were poor at communicating, but rather one where you helped resolve a poor communication situation.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

What is the most competitive work or school situation you have experienced? How did you handle it? What was the result?

Description : What is the most competitive work or school situation you have experienced? How did you handle it? What was the result?

Last Answer : You want to come across as competitive, but not cut-throat.

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?

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.

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult person. How did you handle the situation?

Description : Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult person. How did you handle the situation?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see how you handle conflict and to see whether you can move beyond it. Explain what you do in such a situation and how you stayed level-headed.

Tell me about a difficult situation when it was desirable for you to keep a positive attitude. What did you do?

Description : Tell me about a difficult situation when it was desirable for you to keep a positive attitude. What did you do?

Last Answer : This is similar to the last question except that it focuses on you instead of others. The company wants to know that you can keep a positive attitude even when times are dicult. Give an example and explain what you do to keep your spirits up.

Describe a situation where you found yourself dealing with someone who didn't like you. How did you handle it?

Description : Describe a situation where you found yourself dealing with someone who didn't like you. How did you handle it?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see how you handle conflict and to see whether you can move beyond it. Also, be sure that the reason for your person not liking you isn't something that will look bad the interviewer.

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?

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.

How have you diered from your professors in evaluating your performance? How did you handle the situation?

Description : How have you diered from your professors in evaluating your performance? How did you handle the situation?

Last Answer : Don't speak badly about your professors, but rather just explain the dierence in evaluation standards. Explain how you handled the situation, and how you learned from the experience.

Recall a time from your work experience when your manager or supervisor was unavailable and a problem arose. What was the nature of the problem? How did you handle that situation? How did that make you feel?

Description : Recall a time from your work experience when your manager or supervisor was unavailable and a problem arose. What was the nature of the problem? How did you handle that situation? How did that make you feel?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see if you require supervision or if you can work independently and make decisions. Give an example that shines a good light on you.

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

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.

Describe a situation in which you found that your results were not up to your professor's or supervisor's expectations. What happened? What action did you take?

Description : Describe a situation in which you found that your results were not up to your professor's or supervisor's expectations. What happened? What action did you take?

Last Answer : Give a situation in which you misunderstood the expectations, not where you didn't do your best. Misunderstandings happen, and you can explain that now you always make certain you understand exactly what your boss or professor wants.

Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?

Description : Describe a situation where others you were working with on a project disagreed with your ideas. What did you do?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see if you can stand by your ideas when they are good and also to see whether you can recognize when someone else's ideas are better. Give an example of each if possible.

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.

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.

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

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.

Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way?

Description : Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way?

Last Answer : You want to explain what you did to persuade someone and not just highlight the fact that you persuaded someone. Explain what the situation was and why you needed to persuade the person, and how you did so. What were the results? Why did you use the technique you did?

Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa). How did you handle the situation? What obstacles or diculties did you face? How did you deal with them?

Description : Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa). How did you handle the situation? What obstacles or diculties did you face? How did you deal with them?

Last Answer : First, the key is to state the dierences in personality to give the interviewer some background. Second, you want to discuss how that was aecting the situation. Third, show how you were able to adapt to the way the person wanted to be communicated with to achieve your goals

Your coworker highlights your mistakes in front of everyone, how do you handle the situation?

Description : Your coworker highlights your mistakes in front of everyone, how do you handle the situation?

Last Answer : Admit to the mistake without being emotional, but then Lastly, pull the co-worker aside later on to tell them that you'd appreciate it if they gave you the feedback 1:1 first before throwing you under the bus.

What is the most difficult situation you have faced?

Description : What is the most difficult situation you have faced?

Last Answer : Here you should be ready with your real life story. The question looks for information on two fronts: How do you define difficulty and how did you handle the situation? You should be able to ... members and other peers. It is advisable to close by highlighting the lesson learnt out of the incident.

Tell me about a situation when your work was criticized.

Description : Tell me about a situation when your work was criticized.

Last Answer : TRAPS: This is a tough question because it's a more clever and subtle way to get you to admit to a weakness. You can't dodge it by pretending you've never been criticized. ... essential to your brilliant performance but which adds yet another dimension to your already impressive knowledge base.     

Have you ever been asked to take on a project because of your unique skill or ability?

Description : Have you ever been asked to take on a project because of your unique skill or ability?

Last Answer : Our senior developer regularly asks me to troubleshoot new programs. I've been very successful at figuring out why programs aren't working properly, and I can usually do it pretty quickly, allowing the ... to plan the party. This skill probably won't be very important to the prospective employer.

Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Description : Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Last Answer : Be honest because this could come out in a reference check. Explain why you were asked to leave the job, and what you have learned from the experience.

Have you ever been fired and if yes, why?

Description : Have you ever been fired and if yes, why?

Last Answer : Answer this as positively as possible and try to avoid disparaging the company you had previously worked for. The key is to accept the fact that yes, you were fired, but you've learned from the mistakes that got ... it. If you haven't been fired, well, then this question's a piece of cake isn't it?

Have you ever been in a position of conflict/difference of opinion, if so explain?

Description : Have you ever been in a position of conflict/difference of opinion, if so explain?

Last Answer : If you are asked were you ever in a position of conflict, it is best to avoid using this word, as inevitably you can make your self more and more nervous and apprehensive if you phrase things wrongly. ... team or did you have to go to a team lead / manager / director / arrange a client meeting

Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Description : Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Last Answer : Have you ever been asked to leave a position? Answer tips If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization ... checks done by the employer will uncover this information. Focus on how you have grown from the experience.

What has been your greatest accomplishment as part of a team?

Description : What has been your greatest accomplishment as part of a team?

Last Answer : I worked on a team that developed a program for children who were going home to an empty house after school because their parents worked. We had volunteers who would help the kids with their ... the question because working on a team is probably typical of the position for which he is hiring.

Why do you think you’ve been successful in your career so far?

Description : Why do you think you’ve been successful in your career so far?

Last Answer : I've been successful so far because I've always worked very hard and I've always been willing to accept any challenges that are offered to me. Actually, I usually seek them out. I have excellent time- ... to think he had anything to do with his own success. If he doesn't believe it, who will?

How long have you been looking for a job?

Description : How long have you been looking for a job?

Last Answer : Be truthful. If you've been looking for a year, it's okay to say so because it shows that you haven't given up (and the economy is tough). If you've only been looking for a short time, you can explain that as well.

When have you been most satisfied in your career?

Description : When have you been most satisfied in your career?

Last Answer : This question is designed to see what makes you happy and what motivates you. Explain why the particular example made you feel satisfied.

What has been your experience in giving presentations? What has been your most successful experience in speech making?

Description : What has been your experience in giving presentations? What has been your most successful experience in speech making?

Last Answer : The company wants to hire someone who is comfortable with public speaking and can prepare a presentation. Give an example where you had to present in front of several people, and what you did to prepare.

Who has been an inspiration for you?

Description : Who has been an inspiration for you?

Last Answer : Cite your role models (possible examples could be your parents, people successful in the industry, world leaders, etc)

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

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.

What's been your biggest success to date?

Description : What's been your biggest success to date?

Last Answer : Talk about a story / experience about how you achieved success and be sure to share details on the results and outcome. Have it highlight a strong characteristic such as leadership, work ethic and so forth.

What's been your biggest failure to date?

Description : What's been your biggest failure to date?

Last Answer : Describe your biggest failure and discuss what you've learned from it and ideally how you've been successful since because of that lesson.

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

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.

What has been your biggest professional disappointment??

Description : What has been your biggest professional disappointment??

Last Answer : Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings . That I did not go back for further education when I was younger and had the chance. It could ... difference in my career. I was too complacent at the time and burned out on more schooling .

What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

Description : What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

Last Answer : Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.

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

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.   

Have you been absent from work more than a few days in any previous position?

Description : Have you been absent from work more than a few days in any previous position? 

Last Answer : TRAPS: If you've had a problem, you can't lie. You could easily be found out. Yet admitting an attendance problem could raise many flags. BEST ANSWER: If you have had no problem, emphasize ... , consistent attendance is important because (Pick up the rest of the answer as outlined above.).    

Why have you been out of work so long?

Description : Why have you been out of work so long?

Last Answer : TRAPS: A tough question if you've been on the beach a long time. You don't want to seem like damaged goods. BEST ANSWER: You want to emphasize factors which have prolonged your job search by ... both sides of the desk will have been well worthwhile for both the company that hires me and myself.   

What have you been doing since your last job?

Description : What have you been doing since your last job?

Last Answer : Interview questions: What have you been doing since your last job? Answer tips/answer samples: Maybe the interviewer will ask about what you have been doing in the time period that you didn't ... . However, you need to have legitimate reasons for your non-employment while you were out of work.

What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

Description : What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

Last Answer : What has been your biggest professional disappointment? Answer tips Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings. That I did not ... Research the employer profile thoroughly, the aims of their recruitment and what are your task/roles.