How to Answer Tell Me About a Time Interview Questions
Describe a time when you had to lead a team through a difficult project
Here's a guide to answering this interview question.
Describe the situation and why it was difficult
I had to lead a team through a difficult project once when we were short-staffed and under immense pressure to complete the project on time. The project was also complex, so it was challenging to keep everyone on track and moving in the same direction. However, we were able to successfully complete the project by working together and staying focused.
Explain what you did to try and overcome the difficulty
As I mentioned, even though we were short-staffed, I came up with a plan to divide the work so that everyone had a specific task to focus on. I also communicated frequently with team members to ensure that everyone was aware of what was happening and what still needed to be done. Finally, we worked long hours to meet the deadline, but in the end, it was worth it because we were able to complete the project.
Talk about how your team responded and what you learned from the experience
Overall, the team responded well. There were a few hiccups here and there, but for the most part, everyone was on board with the plan and willing to put in the extra work to get the job done.
The main thing I learned from the experience was that even in difficult situations, it is possible to overcome challenges and keep moving forward toward your goal.
Offer advice for anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation in the future
My advice to anyone who has to lead a team through a difficult project is to do these three things:
- Communicate clearly and frequently with your team. Make sure everyone is on the same page and knows what needs to be done.
- Be flexible and willing to adjust your plans as needed. Things will inevitably come up that you didn't anticipate, so be prepared to change course if necessary.
- Lead by example and maintain team motivation!
Finally, don't forget to thank your team for their hard work and dedication - you may be working with them again in the future.
Tell me about a time you failed at work
Here's a step-by-step guide to answer this interview question:
Describe a time when you failed miserably at work and what you learned from it
In my first job, I was responsible for creating a new system to track inventory. I was really confident in my abilities and thought I could do it easily.
However, I soon found out that I was wrong. The system was a complete mess, and it ended up taking me way longer than expected to fix it.
In the end, I learned that I need to be more careful when taking on projects.
Acknowledge that failure is a part of life and everyone experiences it at some point
What I learned from failing was that it is just a part of life. Everyone experiences it at some point, and it's not the end of the world. Instead, it's an opportunity to learn and grow.
I'm now more careful when taking on new projects, and I ensure that I set realistic expectations.
Offer encouragement to others who may be struggling, letting them know that failure is not the end of the world
I would encourage anyone who is struggling to not give up. Failure is not the end of the world. There are plenty of opportunities for growth and learning, no matter what you do.
Keep moving forward and don't let failure stop you from reaching your goals.
My top tips for how to overcome failure and move on with your life are:
- Don't dwell on your failure. Accept it, learn from it, and move on.
- Let go of the negative emotions associated with your failure. Guilt, shame, and regret will only hold you back.
- Take baby steps forward. Don't try to accomplish everything at once. Slowly but surely gets the desired outcome.
Always remember - failure is not permanent, and you can always bounce back from it.
Tell me about a time you went above and beyond
How to answer the interview question: Tell me about a time at work you went above and beyond.- Start by describing the situation and what was expected of you.
- Then, explain how you decided to go above and beyond and why you felt it was important.
- Finally, describe the outcome of your actions and what your boss thought of your work.
Examples of going above and beyond expectations at work:
I remember a time at work when I went above and beyond what was expected of me. I was working on a project that was behind schedule, and I decided to work late into the night to get it done as it was important for my boss. My boss was impressed with my dedication, and the project ended up being a success.
Another time, I was assigned to a project that required me to learn a new skill. I took the initiative to learn the skill because nobody else wanted to and ended up impressing my boss with my results.
Finally, there was a time when I was asked to do a task that I didn't necessarily agree with. However, I did it anyway because it was critical to the success of the company. I put the success of the company before my own feelings.
5 ways you can exceed the expectations of your boss:
- Put in extra effort on important projects
- Come up with innovative ideas
- Take on additional tasks willingly
- Handle difficult situations with poise and professionalism
- Be a team player and help others when needed
An example of going above and beyond at work
What was the situation? What did you do? What was the outcome?
One time, I was asked to put together a presentation for an important client. Even though it was outside of my usual job duties, I agreed to do it.
I ended up staying late a few nights to get everything just right. The presentation went well, and the client signed up with our company. My boss was impressed with my extra effort and thanked me for it.
Tell me about a time when you exceeded expectations at work.
What was the situation? How did you exceed what was expected of you? What was the final outcome?
I remember when I was working at my old job, and I had to take on a project that I had no experience with.
The project I worked on was called "The XYZ Project." It was a new project that my company was starting, and I was given the task of heading up the marketing efforts for it.
I had never tackled anything like it before, but I did some research and asked for help from my colleagues. I was able to deliver the project on time and under budget.
It felt great to know that I could do more than I thought I was able to. Plus, it made me look good in the eyes of my boss.
Tell me about a time you had a conflict at work
Answer:
I had a conflict at work with my boss a few months ago. We were arguing about something minor, but it escalated quickly, and we started yelling at each other. I eventually stormed out of the office, and I was really upset.
I cooled down after a while, and I realized that I was acting completely irrational and that my boss was just trying to do his job. I decided to apologize to him the next day, and we talked things through. We've been getting along fine since then.