Displaying Interview Questions 89-96

89. Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle that person?

Sample excellent response:
As a Resident Advisor, I had another RA who often sought me as a person to confide her complaints to and shared quite a bit of information about activities she'd engaged in that violated the rules. Although I did not mind being a resource for this person, I knew that I could not compromise my integrity or her residents' safety. Although she became very outraged and angry with me, I talked to her about the situation and and told her that I would have to tell my supervisor. She eventually understood my responsibility and why I had to come forward with information. She knew that what she had done was against the rules, but never realized before I talked to her that she had jeopardized her residents' safety.

Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story.

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

Sample excellent response:
When I first began working at the YMCA, I was the youngest member of the staff. An older woman really "knew the ropes" of the place. When I first got there she barely acknowledged my presence, and through word of mouth I discovered that she thought that I was too young to successfully fulfill my duties because I was so inexperienced. She assumed I was immature. I did my job and took every opportunity to make a good impression. I was a very diligent worker and behaved in a highly professional manner at all times, learning quickly the best way to do things. After about two weeks of the silent treatment from her, she came up to me and told me how impressed she was with me. She told me that I had done an excellent job and was the fastest learner that she had ever seen. She apologized to me for ignoring me and took me under her wing and shared what she knew with me.

Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story.

91. Give me a specific example of something you did that helped build enthusiasm in others.

Sample excellent response:
When I was coaching my swim team at their first swim meet, the swimmers on my team were intimidated by the other team because they were bigger and obviously more experienced. The other team members looked like pros in their matching swimsuits, unlike my swimmers' mismatched suits. I encouraged them and told them that they had practiced for so long and so hard that they deserved just as much respect as those other teams. I told them that it didn't matter whether we had matching swimsuits or not and that I would stand behind them 100 percent no matter what. They were so excited and pumped after my speech. They cheered each other on, and not only did every child break his or her own record, but my team won first place in the meet among four other teams that had been together for a much longer time.

Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story.

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

Sample excellent response:
While directing a play, I was faced with numerous problems. The sets were not coming together; the performers were fighting and not working hard; the technical aspects of the play were far from complete, and in general it was a mess. I was the "stage manager," which means that I tell people when to go on stage and tell the crew when to bring pieces of the set on stage. So I organized everything and told people to do specific jobs and asked them in a firm yet positive manner. People began to have fun, and the production went on extremely well (all performances sold out). The play was regarded as one of the smoothest shows to have been produced by the group.

Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story.

93. 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?

Sample excellent response:
My sophomore year was about to begin and I had to decide on a major. I could not waste any more credits figuring out what I was interested in. I took some personality and career assessments to get a better handle on my interests, skills, and values. I talked to faculty in several departments to decide which faculty members I was most comfortable with. I studied the course offerings to see which courses appealed to me the most. I decided on communications studies and feel it is the best decision I ever could have made.

Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story.

94. Give me an example of a time you had to persuade other people to take action. Were you successful?

Sample excellent response:
I was the leader of my macroeconomics group in college. As leader, I had to delegate parts of the assignment to other group members. Not only did I do a written part for each paper, but I gathered all of the props we needed for our oral presentation, and I typed all of the five papers assigned. I was also taking four other classes at the time. By the fourth paper, I decided to persuade some of the other group members to edit and finalize it. I learned a lot about delegation and leadership when I discovered that they were happy to help out.

Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story.

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

Sample excellent response:
I have participated in several groups throughout my academic career. Recently, I had to work with a group in my statistics class and I had some personality clashes with one of the group members. However, I realized the importance of completing the assignment in a prompt and efficient manner. I made it a point to put my differences aside and complete my part, along with offering assistance to the other group members. As a result, we finished our assignment without any conflict.

Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story.

96. Tell me about a time you had to handle multiple responsibilities. How did you organize the work you needed to do?

Sample excellent response:
While attending college, I also worked at a law firm. I was successful because I practiced good time-management skills and I made a to-do list every day. As I completed each task, I checked it off the list. It is funny how something so simple can keep you so organized. As a result of my to-do lists, I was able to visualize my daily progress.

Also, remember the S-A-R (situation-action-result) technique and see a sample S-A-R story.

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