How to answer following competency based interview questions?

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How would you answer the following questions?

1- How to deal with difficult member of team?

2- If you are working on some project and you have realized that you can't complete the project on time then what would you do?

3- Tell me about the time when you had to deal with the conflict, with your manager or a colleague? Or how do you deal with conflicts at work?

4- What are your weaknesses?

 

Tricky one to help out with.
On the whole, competency based questions are designed to build up a picture of you, there is no real right or wrong answers.
They may also be cross-referenced so any blatant lies will stand out.

Generally though:

1. Show that you have dealt with a difficult team member. If you haven't, you may be a pushover or inclined to let things pass. Show that you've dealt with them professionally and fairly with no hard feelings.

2. The first thing would be to highlight the problem, rather than try to cover it up. Speak to the project manager or your boss and explain the situation. Agree new time scales or objectives, or re-allocate resources. These things happen, but best if it wasn't because of your original flawed expectations or your lack of driving the project along too slowly.

3. Again, as in point 1, no point in pretending that they don't exist. Just deal with them professionally. It's usually best not to mention the time you had a bust up with your line manager as it may make you seem insubordinate.

4. Important to acknowledge that you have some, but also make the point that you are aware of them and that you are/have taken steps to resolve them. Don't go for cliches like 'I'm a perfectionist' and don't go for real losers like 'I find it hard to get in to work on time'. Go for something neutral like 'sometimes my paperwork is a bit sloppy, so I make sure I get it proof-read by a colleague.

You'll need to think of real examples that you can cite, in case they ask follow up questions. Don't just make up 'ideal' generic answers.

 

thanks for your reply Johnny, thats what i was looking for.

 

Why are you asking us to prepare the answers that you're going to give at your interview?

If you can't be bothered to prepare the answers to a couple of simple questions, I would politely suggest that you're not cut-out for a career in IT... a profession in which you'll get no-where unless you're prepared to work hard and constantly develop your skills.

 

Thats not true I have meant plenty of lazy people in IT.

 

Follow the STAR approach. If you can't come up with your own situations your a bit silly really.

If your competing with me Ill win.

 

Maybe not.
That's 'you're' and 'I'll'.

Attention in the detail.

 

Is it my job to deal with difficult members of a team? I expect them to be dealt with so I can deliver what I'm paid to deliver. If not, I'd leave.

I'd quit!

I left.

I'm a quitter!