How to Answer the "Difficult Colleague" Interview Question - Lancerbee (2023)

Dealing with difficult colleagues is an unfortunate reality for many workers in the workplace. It can be difficult to maintain a professional relationship with someone who constantly creates conflict, disrupts team dynamics, or doesn't fit into your work style.

When you're in an interview, you may be asked about your experiences with difficult co-workers and how you handled those situations. This can be a difficult question, as you don't want to seem negative or complain about a former colleague.

However, it is important to show that you can handle difficult situations and maintain a positive attitude at work.

In this article, we take a look at the "difficult colleague" interview question and provide tips on how to answer it. We will also talk about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and professional demeanor even in the face of challenges at work.

By following these tips, you can show the interviewer that you are a resilient and adaptable candidate who can handle the challenges of any job.

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(Video) INTERVIEW QUESTION: Tell Me About A Time You Handled A Difficult Situation? (The BEST Answer!)

1. Maintain a positive attitude and professional demeanor.

A positive attitude and professional demeanor during the interview are essential. This shows the interviewer that you can handle difficult situations without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.

When you talk about a difficult colleague,Focus on how you handled the situation.professional and kept his composure. Talk about how she reached out to the colleague to try to resolve the issues and how you worked together to find a solution.

Also, emphasize the importance of a positive attitude and professional demeanor in the workplace.

2. Demonstrate resilience and adaptability to workplace challenges

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It shows that you can remain calm and professional in difficult situations and that you are willing to find solutions together with others.

You could also talk about how you used your communication skills to resolve conflicts or build better relationships with difficult coworkers.

Finally, emphasize that it is resilient and adaptable to the challenges of the job site. It shows that you can focus on the task at hand and maintain a positive attitude even when faced with difficult peers or challenging situations. This shows the interviewer that you have the necessary skills and attitude to succeed in any work environment.

(Video) How to Answer Difficult Questions

3. Demonstrate problem solving skills

Your problem-solving and conflict-solving skills can be a great asset in any workplace. Show the interviewer that you can think critically and find creative solutions to difficult situations.

You also canTalk about how you used your communication skills.to resolve conflicts or build better relationships with difficult colleagues.

Emphasize that you are willing to take the initiative and work with others to find solutions. This shows the interviewer that you are a team player who is willing to go the extra mile to ensure success.

4. Keep your emotions in check

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When dealing with difficult colleagues, it is important to control your emotions. It can be easy to get frustrated or angry in the face of challenging situations, but it's important to remain professional and maintain a positive attitude. Controlling your emotions allows you to focus on finding solutions and collaborating with others to create a better work environment.

When dealing with difficult colleagues, it's important to step back and assess the situation objectively. Try not to take things personally and focus on finding ways to resolve the problem without getting into arguments or spreading gossip. Taking a moment to stop and think can help you stay calm and balanced during difficult conversations.

It is also important to practice active listening when dealing with difficult colleagues. Pay attention to what they say and respond accordingly. Show that you are open-minded by asking questions and considering their perspective before making decisions.

5. Understand how to communicate effectively

Effective communication is key when dealing with difficult colleagues. It is important to be clear and direct in your touch, respecting and understanding their perspective. Make sure you are actively listening and responding appropriately.

It may also help to practice active listening techniques, such as paraphrasing or repeating what the other person has said. It shows that you are paying attention and understanding their point of view.

Make sureStay professional and politein all interactions with difficult colleagues. Show that you are willing to find solutions together and maintain a positive work environment. This shows the interviewer that you have the necessary skills and attitude to succeed in any work environment.

6. Learn to set limits and cultivate healthy relationships

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Setting boundaries and maintaining healthy relationships with difficult colleagues is essential to a productive work environment. It's important to be clear about what you do and don't want to do to ensure everyone's needs are met.

When setting limits, it's important to be firm but also respectful. Be sure to clearly communicate your expectations and explain why certain behaviors or actions are unacceptable.

(Video) Answering Difficult Questions Non-Believers Ask

It is also important to maintain healthy relationships with difficult colleagues. Show that you are willing to work together and find solutions. Be sure to practice active listening and be professional in all interactions. This shows the interviewer that you can handle any situation in a positive way.

7. Take responsibility for your actions and reactions.

It is important to take responsibility for your actions and reactions when dealing with difficult colleagues. It can be easy to blame others or make excuses, but it's important to take responsibility for your own behavior. Take time to think about how you reacted to certain situations and how you could have handled them differently.

Take responsibility for your actions and reactions.Show the interviewer that you are matureand able to master difficult situations professionally.

It is also important to be open to feedback and constructive criticism. Difficult colleagues may have valid points that can help you improve your performance or work relationships. Listen to their comments and take them into account when making decisions.

8. Share examples of how you handled difficult situations faced by colleagues in the past.

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Sharing examples of how you have handled difficult situations with colleagues in the past is a great way to demonstrate your ability to handle these situations. Talk about specific scenarios and explain your strategies to solve the problem.

Be sure to stress the importance of communication and active listening when dealing with difficult colleagues. Show that you are willing to work together and maintain professionalism in all interactions. This shows the interviewer that you have the necessary skills and attitude to succeed in any work environment.

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Get a professional resume review from a certified career professional

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(Video) Answering Difficult Questions Non-Believers Ask

Diploma

If you are asked how you would handle a "difficult colleague" during an interview, it can be difficult to answer, but always remember to present a positive image of yourself and conduct yourself in a courteous and professional manner. Show your willingness to work together to solve problems and keep morale up.

Show that you can be persistent when necessary, take responsibility for your part when problems arise, and provide specific examples of how you have handled challenging interactions with colleagues in the past.

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(Video) Difficult Co-Worker Interview Question and Answer

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FAQs

How do you deal with a difficult teammate interview question? ›

How to answer: “How do you deal with difficult people?”
  1. Be objective and give context. The first thing you do not want to do in an interview setting after being asked this question is engage in a blame game. ...
  2. Detail how you resolved the situation. ...
  3. Explain what you learnt from the experience.
Aug 26, 2022

Can you give me an example of a difficult situation with a colleague? ›

Here are some examples of common difficult situations in the workplace: Not getting on with a colleague. Not feeling able to speak up about something you feel is wrong. Your team doesn't pull together.

How to answer dealing with a difficult situation in an interview? ›

How to answer "Tell me how you handled a difficult situation"
  1. Describe the situation. Explain the "situation" you handled in one or two sentences. ...
  2. Explain the problem. ...
  3. Detail the steps you took to rectify the issue. ...
  4. Describe the results you produced.
Mar 10, 2023

How would I handle a difficult coworker? ›

Collaborating with a difficult co-worker: Do's and don'ts
  1. Do examine your own behavior before blaming the other person. ...
  2. Don't let it get personal. ...
  3. Do communicate what issues you're having. ...
  4. Don't get baited into unprofessional behavior. ...
  5. Do remind yourself of what you stand to gain by working with this person.

How do you handle a difficult person in a team? ›

Seven Ways To Handle Difficult People At Work
  1. Stop over-reacting and ask yourself. ...
  2. Don't react, if you know that works. ...
  3. Let the difficult person know how you feel. ...
  4. Follow up. ...
  5. Talk with your manager/boss. ...
  6. Don't take it personally. ...
  7. Find a new job.
Aug 11, 2022

How would you deal with a difficult situation with a member of staff? ›

How to deal with difficult employees: helpful tips
  1. Focus on Behavior and Not Personality Traits. ...
  2. Get to the Root of the Problem. ...
  3. Welcome Feedback. ...
  4. Provide Clear Instructions. ...
  5. Outline Expectations and Consequences. ...
  6. Monitor Workers' Progress. ...
  7. Be Proactive. ...
  8. Be Respectful and Stay Calm.
Aug 4, 2022

What is a good example of a difficult situation? ›

Some examples of situations you can discuss include: A time when you dealt with a lot of customer complaints and how you rectified the issue. A time when you had to work long hours to meet a deadline. A time when you had to deal with a difficult colleague when working on a project.

What is an example of a difficult situation interview question? ›

"What have you done in the past when faced with a problem on the job?" "Describe a difficult situation you encountered in a previous job, and how you resolved it." "Tell me about a problem you had to solve in a previous position." "Describe a difficult task, and how you handled it."

Can you give an example of when you have overcome a difficult challenge? ›

Full Example 1:

One of the biggest work challenges I've overcome happened at my last job. Two team members were let go and I was left with the workload of three people. I fell behind and knew I couldn't keep up in the long term, so I asked my manager for help.

What do you say when you are in a difficult situation? ›

What to say in difficult situations
  • Acknowledge it. Be careful for when you bring it up – don't bring it up in front of a large group of people, wait for some one-on-one time. ...
  • Be practical.
  • Ask how you can help. ...
  • Acknowledge it.
  • Be empathetic but not sympathetic. ...
  • Don't approach it directly. ...
  • How can I help?
Jun 19, 2013

How do you communicate with a difficult coworker? ›

Make the best of dealing with a difficult co-worker by using the following tips to enhance your working relationships.
  1. Have an Open Discussion. ...
  2. Cultivate Other Positive Relationships. ...
  3. Get to Know Your Co-Workers Better. ...
  4. Set a Good Example. ...
  5. Avoid Workplace Gossip. ...
  6. Limit Your Interactions.

How do you approach a toxic team member? ›

How to steps on managing toxic employees
  1. Don't take their behaviour personally. ...
  2. Try identifying the cause of the problem. ...
  3. Document toxic behaviour. ...
  4. Give them honest and direct feedback. ...
  5. Explain the consequences of their actions. ...
  6. Start assigning them tasks they can complete independently. ...
  7. Try deciding on a compromise.
Oct 19, 2022

How do you handle a team with a negative attitude? ›

How to Handle Negative People on Your Team
  1. Have a conversation with the naysayer. More often than not, people aren't even aware that they're being negative. ...
  2. Reframe negativity in a constructive manner. ...
  3. Model positive behavior. ...
  4. Make positivity a company value. ...
  5. Set standards for constructive disagreement.

How do you interact with difficult people? ›

How to Interact With Difficult People
  1. Be honest and direct. State your concern from your perspective, for example: ...
  2. Listen carefully. Listen to what the other person is saying instead of getting ready to react. ...
  3. Avoid blaming. Focus on the facts. ...
  4. Stay focused. Discuss particulars; avoid generalizing. ...
  5. Say less.
Jul 13, 2022

What is the best way to deal with a difficult person? ›

10 Tactics for Working with Difficult People
  1. Don't React. ...
  2. Develop a Rapport. ...
  3. Practice Empathy. ...
  4. Stand Up for Yourself. ...
  5. Focus on What You Can Control. ...
  6. Practice Self-Examination. ...
  7. Treat the Person with Kindness and Respect. ...
  8. Don't Take Things Personally.
Aug 1, 2022

What is the best way to handle conflict between staff members who don t like working together? ›

How to deal with employees who don't get along
  • Understand the nature of the conflict. ...
  • Encourage employees to work it out themselves. ...
  • Nip it in the bud quickly. ...
  • Listen to both sides. ...
  • Determine the real issue, together. ...
  • Consult your employee handbook. ...
  • Find a solution. ...
  • Write it up.

What is the STAR method in interviews? ›

The STAR method is a structured manner of responding to a behavioral-based interview question by discussing the specific situation, task, action, and result of the situation you are describing.

How do you confront difficult situations? ›

What you can do:
  1. Don't add to the emotions of the situation – keep your voice tone and volume low and speak slowly.
  2. Ask no threatening questions.
  3. Act professional at all times.
  4. It may help to take a detached view. It's just the way they are: you had nothing to do with!

What is an example of a stressful situation for an interview? ›

Example: "When I have multiple or intense deadlines, I use a strict schedule to break tasks down into manageable parts and approach them individually. For example, at my last job, a coworker got sick, and I had to deliver a project plan in a week. I sat down and broke down my tasks, scheduling each segment.

How do you handle stress and pressure? ›

Taking steps to manage stress
  1. Track your stressors. Keep a journal for a week or two to identify which situations create the most stress and how you respond to them. ...
  2. Develop healthy responses. ...
  3. Establish boundaries. ...
  4. Take time to recharge. ...
  5. Learn how to relax. ...
  6. Talk to your supervisor. ...
  7. Get some support.
Jul 1, 2014

What is the toughest challenge you faced interview question? ›

How to answer "What is the biggest challenge you've faced in work?"
  1. Consider previous challenges you've faced. ...
  2. Tailor your answer to the job description. ...
  3. Be specific about why they were challenges. ...
  4. Be honest in your answer. ...
  5. Present your challenge in a positive light. ...
  6. Use nonprofessional examples if necessary.
Feb 15, 2023

How well do you perform under pressure give any example? ›

Here are some of my answers. "I work well under pressure because I use the pressure to help me work more efficiently." "I enjoy working under pressure because I believe it helps me grow. In my previous experience, I always worked well during deadlines, and I always learned how to work more efficiently afterwards."

What's the most difficult situation you have faced? ›

Learning new things is always a challenge for me. But with my sincere efforts, hard work I make them look easy and simpler. It is a better way to handle any challenge. Toughest Challenged faced by me is when I joined the new college.

What does it mean to be in a difficult situation? ›

in a situation in which something unpleasant or dangerous could happen to you.

Videos

1. HOW DID YOU HANDLE A DIFFICULT SITUATION? (Behavioural Interview Question & EXAMPLE ANSWERS!)
(CareerVidz)
2. TELL ME HOW YOU HANDLED A DIFFICULT SITUATION! (The BEST ANSWER to this Tough Interview Question!)
(CareerVidz)
3. How To Answer Difficult Questions From The Audience
(Expert Academy)
4. HOW TO ANSWER DIFFICULT QUESTIONS
(Art of Verbal War)
5. 6 MOST Difficult Interview Questions And How To Answer Them
(Professor Heather Austin)
6. 7 MOST DIFFICULT Interview Questions & ANSWERS! (PASS GUARANTEED!)
(CareerVidz)

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