How to handle questions on conflict during interviews sessions

By the time you get called in for a job interview, you have crossed all the hurdles that career coaches often speak of. Your resume and cover letter caught the eye of the recruiter and did not get tossed into the growing rejection pile and the panel liked you enough to want to see more of you. It is inevitable then, that you want to present the best version of yourself when the day comes.

It is said that there are some questions that have no right answers. I do not know if this can be said of some of the tricky interview questions I have heard. One of the trickiest is being asked to comment on personalities at your former (or current place of work). From time to time, even the most people-centred among us run into disagreements with our colleagues and bosses. It is a fact of life.

In an ideal world, of course, we would all get along swimmingly all the time. Avoid the temptation though, to portray an ideal non-existent world to your potential employer when asked about handling conflict in the workplace. How then, do you answer questions such as ‘tell me about one person who you had continuous trouble working with’ or ‘tell us about issues you had with a former colleague/employer’.

Showing character

Claiming that you have never had disagreements with anyone you worked with will not hold water, only make you seem disingenuous. It is not easy to come up with comprehensive answers to this sort of question off the top of your mind. Have one or two examples of a disagreement at work, how you handled it and especially how you grew from it in a way that shows maturity. If you can show that you applied critical thinking and creativity to resolving the scenario, even better.

Do not alienate

Everyone has a story of how they were treated unfairly by a colleague or boss even when they were right. But bad mouthing either to a potential employer will show mean spiritedness and immaturity. Whatever you do, do not speak ill of your past or current colleagues. This will only reflect what you will do to your potential employer in the future. Your responses are even more important if you lead teams. The ability to show that despite disagreements you were able to still put forward the best efforts of the team is imperative.

TIPS

- When asked about handling disagreements in the workplace, a potential employer is interested in hearing how you handled the scenario objectively and grew as an individual from the conflict.

- Never bad mouth a boss or colleague to a potential employer as it speaks to a weak character.

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