How do you handle conflict?

The interviewer wants to know how you react to conflict and how you manage it. Try to focus your job interview answer on the behavioral process that you use to resolve the conflict. Don't direct your answer at how difficult you boss or co-workers are and how hard it is to work with them. This portrays you as someone who does not get on easily with other people and employers want someone who gets on well with others.


Use your interview answer to highlight your interpersonal skills, your maturity and your ability to stay calm in the face of difficulty.

For example: "Everyone has to deal with conflict at some point. I have found that when there is conflict it helps to try and put yourself in the other person's shoes and understand their perspective. It is important to ask questions and listen to their point of view. If you know what their interpretation of the situation is, then it is easier to work out a solution. For example.... ( give a specific example of a conflict situation and how you dealt with it)."

Emphasize the techniques you use to diffuse conflict such understanding the other person's position, asking questions to find out the cause of the conflict, not conveying blame and not becoming too emotional. Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively to reach an acceptable resolution.

Here is another of those standard interview questions that is exploring a number of aspects at once.

What has been the most difficult situation you have had to face?



This job interview question is trying to determine two things - what your definition of difficult is and how you approach challenges and problems.


More Typical Interview Questions

What did you like/dislike most about your previous job?

How would you describe your manager/boss?

How would your co-workers describe you?

What motivates you in your job?

How do you define success in your job?

Describe your ideal job





Avoid discussing difficult situations that were directly caused by you. Make sure it is a situation that most people would consider difficult or tough.

Think of specific problems that tested your skills and abilities and had positive outcomes. Highlight the way you analyzed the situation, the skills you used to professionally deal with it and what your particular contribution to resolving it was. Always try to end on a positive note

Examples of difficult situations include having to discipline an employee, unreasonable goals and deadlines, unreasonable customers and clients, adapting to change and facing unethical work practices.



Job skills that should be highlighted include common sense, perseverance, diplomacy, maturity, stress management and assessment skills.

For example: "I have faced a number of difficult situations, but the one that comes to mind now is ...... ( describe the situation). I was able to deal with it by assessing the situation, determining the possible different approaches and deciding on the most effective one. I had to remain unemotional and objective and focused on a solution."



Preparing your answers to job interview questions like these sets you up for interview success. Click on the table above to view more standard interview questions and good sample answers.

Click here for good sample answers to these common interview questions:
Tell me about Yourself
Strengths and Weaknesses
Reason for Leaving
Greatest Accomplishment
5 Year Goals
Why this Company
Why Should we Hire you?



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