I always get asked this question on interviews and im not sure what to say..im not sure if they mean with a coworker? What would you guys say
Yes, they do mean conflict with co-workers. They want to know that you will handle it in a positive, productive way. The best way to answer it is to tell a story of an actual conflict that occurred and how you handled it. Pick one where you were able to resolve it with the other person directly, and didn’t have to go to a supervisor for help.
in the real world dealing with conflict at work is a pain in the arse. Its very difficult and stressful. Often times, what management wants to hear or for you to do, is this: talk to the person first and try to work it out on a professional level that is, go into a private area or room where noone is around and talk to the person about the conflict. Basically, you try to resolve the c onflict on your own first. If this doesnt work, then you go to your manager.
Often times where i work, it doenst get resolved and i end up having to go to my manager. Of course the person doesnt get fired for months and you work together hating each other and making it hard on each other and finally they end up gtting fired when too many complaints arise.
Often times, you have to have backup too to support your accusation. Now im older and wser and i really try to just put up with crap b/c i just cant deal with issues anymore. Im a nurse and its the aides i work with that drive me nuts. 80% of them are lazy, they hide, or have attitude when they dont do their work. If you say anything, they hate you after and do less work. Eventually, the manager steps in. they work good for awhle and then its the same story over again. That is why now i shut my mouth and jsut wait until i go to another position.
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Yes, they do mean conflict with co-workers. They want to know that you will handle it in a positive, productive way. The best way to answer it is to tell a story of an actual conflict that occurred and how you handled it. Pick one where you were able to resolve it with the other person directly, and didn’t have to go to a supervisor for help.
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As a HR Manager I ask this question a lot because it tells me how well you handle stress and issues with other employees and or customers.
Its more of a behavioral question and it tells the interviewer how well you handle things when it comes down to the crunch or when your back is beside a wall.
They best way you can answer this question is by good eye contact and straight answers. Leave out "I think" and Uhmm" show confidence in your answer as well and you will do great.
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Short and sweet answer- Say you would remain professional at all times and ignore the usual office gossip but if you felt uncomfortable at work, you would try to talk with the conflicting employee directly but politely & respectfully to see if you could either resolve any misunderstandings or just agree to disagree and keep it straight business. If that didn’t work then you would get in touch with your supervisor and ask him/her to step in to resolve the issue.
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I own my own business and ask people this question all the time. This is what I like to hear.