CONFLICT-RESOLUTION Interview Questions & ANSWERS

Conflict Interview Questions and Answers: Conflict interview questions are questions designed to assess how you respond to and resolve conflict in the workplace. To answer this question successfully, assure your interviewer that you are a good listener who can accept opposing views without getting upset.

In this article you will learn how to answer difficult conflict resolution interview questions. In any interview, at least one conflict resolution interview question is going to come up during the interview.

If you have a job interview coming up for any role or any company, make sure you read this article well because it will help you be the standout candidate.

CONFLICT-RESOLUTION Interview Questions and ANSWERS

• CONFLICT-RESOLUTION INTERVIEW QUESTION #1. How do you deal with conflict?

TIP: This question comes up often during job interviews. When answering this first conflict resolution interview question, say you always take positive steps to resolve the conflict quickly for the sake of the team.

Below is example answer to help you.

Answer:

“I always try to resolve any conflict quickly and amicably. Whilst passionate discussions can be beneficial to a team, any form of conflict can serve to hinder a team’s progress and it can create disharmony amongst co-workers.

Whenever I notice conflict, I will establish why it is happening, who it is with, and what steps can be taken to prevent it from escalating further.”

• CONFLICT-RESOLUTION INTERVIEW QUESTION #2. Tell me about a time when you had a disagreement with a co-worker.

TIP: This is a type of behavioral conflict resolution interview question. Most candidates fail their interviews when answering this question because they say they will tell their manager about the conflict. This is not what the hiring manager wants to hear.

Here’s a great example answer to help you.

Answer:

“A situation occurred in a previous role where myself and a co-worker couldn’t agree on the best way forward to complete a project. We both had very different ways of working, and the more we discussed things, the worse it got.

I decided for the sake of the team to agree to their way of working, providing we could review progress every step of the way. Half way through the project it became clear that one aspect of their approach was not going to work so we got together again to reconsider our approach.

We then decided to use one of my original suggestions, which worked perfectly. I felt I dealt with the conflict in a professional and smart manner that ensured the project made progress and it was delivered on time and to the right standard.”

• CONFLICT-RESOLUTION INTERVIEW QUESTION #3. Tell me about a time when you had a disagreement with your boss.

TIP: This is probably the hardest conflict resolution interview question to answer correctly and is strongly recommend you to prepare for. Most people respond by saying they have never had a disagreement with their boss.

However, if you have had a disagreement in a professional and respectful manner it says you are the type of person who puts the best interests of the company at heart and that you are confident enough to speak out.

Here’s a great example answer to help you.

Answer:

“I don’t tend to disagree with my boss often. However, if I think there’s a better way of doing things, I will say so in a professional and respectful manner.

One situation comes to mind when I first started working my previous role where I felt my boss was micromanaging me. Every time I started a task he came over and told me how to do it, so I decided to speak to him about it.

I explained that whilst I appreciated his intentions were good, I worked better when someone was not constantly watching over me. I also explained that he could trust me to deliver on each task because of my previous work experience.

Although my boss looked surprised that I had said something, I think he was glad because he could then get on with more important work.”

• CONFLICT-RESOLUTION INTERVIEW QUESTION #4. How do you deal with angry customers who complain about your products or services?

TIP: This question is assessing your understanding of how important it is to try and win customers around. Don’t ever take anything a customer says personally, and do all you can to win their loyalty.

Remember, customers are able to voice their feedback easily online nowadays, so it’s important the service they receive is impeccable.

Here’s a great example answer to help you.

Answer:

“Whenever I encounter an angry customer, I will go out of my way to resolve the issue for them, and turn them into a happy one.

I start off and listen to the customer by using active listening skills. I then ask the customer probing questions to get to the bottom of the issue. I then apologize if the company is at fault and explain what I will do to put things right for them.

I will keep the customer updated with my progress and check in with them again to make sure they are satisfied with my resolution.

Finally, I will look to see what lessons can be learned to make sure the same problem does not happen again.”

Those are four brilliant answers to difficult conflict resolution interview questions to help you pass your interview.

Thank you so much for reading this article and I wish you all the best for passing your interview.