Can you share an example of how you handled a challenging situation?
Example Answer:
I had a very difficult situation where the company I was working for was having financial problems. Because of that, I had to fire one person from my team. I chose the team member we had hired most recently. She had great potential, but she still needed guidance to do her job.
- Bring an extra copy of your résumé—for yourself. ...
- Bring paper and pen. ...
- Answer a question with a question. ...
- Consider the motivation behind the question. ...
- Keep a sense of humor.
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. Dealing with a disciplinary issue.
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.
- Describe the situation concisely. Be clear and concise when you describe the situation that led to the challenge you're about to describe. ...
- Tell them about the task. ...
- Explain the actions you took. ...
- Tell them about the end result.
- Decide what you can do. Pinpoint which parts of the situation you have the power to change or influence for the better. ...
- Get support. Find someone to talk to about your situation. ...
- Care for yourself. Take especially good care of yourself when stress in your life is high.
- Adjust your attitude. It's automatic for human beings to see pressure as a threat to our wellbeing. ...
- Stay in the present. ...
- Give yourself positive reinforcement. ...
- Visualize the worst case scenario. ...
- Take a deep breath. ...
- Ask for help.
While working under pressure, reframe the situation as an opportunity to prove yourself. Visualize a happy outcome and actively work toward it. Find a work-life balance: Although your work-life balance may suffer during busy times at work, it's important to spend a portion of your day doing what you enjoy.
For example, you could say: “the biggest challenge will be getting to know the members of the team. I'm used to working with a large and diverse team and thrive on finding the best in my colleagues.” Or: “the biggest challenge in this job is keeping pace with technological change in this industry.
- Run a marathon. ...
- Take on a charity challenge. ...
- Exercise your brain. ...
- Surprise yourself. ...
- Volunteer yourself. ...
- Get a new job/seek promotion. ...
- Overcome a fear. ...
- Climb a famous peak.
Why should we hire you answer best?
Show that you have skills and experience to do the job and deliver great results. You never know what other candidates offer to the company. But you know you: emphasize your key skills, strengths, talents, work experience, and professional achievements that are fundamental to getting great things done on this position.
“Over the years, I have acquired relevant skills and experience, which I shall bring to your organization. I have also worked tirelessly on my communication abilities and teamwork skills, which I will put to use in my future career, which would be in your organization if I am selected for the position.

How to (and how not to) answer the interview question 'What can you bring to the company? ' The simple answer to this question is you : you bring all of your skills, qualities, values, interests, academic knowledge, internships and life experience to the company.
The ability to work under pressure involves dealing with constraints that are often outside of your control. These might be last-minute changes, upcoming deadlines and a lack of knowledge required to finish your tasks. To work under pressure also means that you must still perform well.
- Communication challenges. ...
- Low employee engagement and motivation. ...
- Difficult people and rigid hierarchies. ...
- Lack of conflict resolution. ...
- Lack of skill development and professional growth.