WHAT IF QUESTIONS IN AN INTERVIEW

MsTinkerbelly · 08-20-2014, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Tell your supervisor the position you are now in and ask him which thing he wants completed on time. What the customer wants or what he wants.

Most likely he will say to complete the task for the client. He will look like an ass if he doesn't. However, if he says do his task then just explain to your customer something came up and you will not be able to complete on time. You should always complete what supervisor wants (unless it is harmful, crazy, etc). Then look for another job because you don't like your supervisor's approach to customer service.

Exactly right!

Breathless · 08-20-2014, 10:02 PM

My answer would be to communicate. How is your supervisor to know that you have other obligations by the same deadline? So I would listen to what the supervisor is requesting, giving a moment of your time and attention, then present the problem of, I currently have something else, of a urgent nature on my plate that requires my urgent attention, also needing to be completed within the same time line. This is how long I anticipate 'this' task to take.. and put the ball in their court. Sometimes, just mentioning that you have another obligation, and would like to assist with this task.. giving the other person (supervisor) the option to make other decisions too.. is the best way to go about it. Promise is your word, and your customer is extremely important, for obvious reasons..

Teddybear · 08-21-2014, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breathless

My answer would be to communicate. How is your supervisor to know that you have other obligations by the same deadline? So I would listen to what the supervisor is requesting, giving a moment of your time and attention, then present the problem of, I currently have something else, of a urgent nature on my plate that requires my urgent attention, also needing to be completed within the same time line. This is how long I anticipate 'this' task to take.. and put the ball in their court. Sometimes, just mentioning that you have another obligation, and would like to assist with this task.. giving the other person (supervisor) the option to make other decisions too.. is the best way to go about it. Promise is your word, and your customer is extremely important, for obvious reasons..

I agree and said so, I was trying not to give how i felt in the op cause i didnt want to sway anyone

Thanks everyine for aanswering

*Anya* · 08-21-2014, 08:14 AM

Having previously worked for large, for-profit companies; I have a little different take.

Your boss is your first and best customer.

Without the boss happy and satisfied with your work, you may not have that job.

Or that customer.

He probably needs that report for his/her bosses and on up the chain of command.

To boss: Are you able to tell me a little more about what is needed in the report and how you would like the data presented?

I am also working on that big customer's deadline. It is the same date.

Boss: I understand that, just get them both done.

I have had a variation on the scenario almost everywhere I have worked.

Somehow, you get them both done but the boss always gets his report.

First.

cricket26 · 08-21-2014, 07:24 PM

of course the customer is priority, saying that i try to remember that it is not a perfect world, and there will be times when i may have demands on my time from more than one person...juggling situations like this with finesse can be an important part of my job...hence a question like this can give the interviewer an insight to my personality and how i handle stress...so the answer is as complicated as the situation...but...never let them see you sweat

08-20-2014, 10:02 PM	#2
Breathless Brat Extraordinaire How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, her Relationship Status: Happy Tournaments Won: 23 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 1,412 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 7,549 Thanked 4,098 Times in 958 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	My answer would be to communicate. How is your supervisor to know that you have other obligations by the same deadline? So I would listen to what the supervisor is requesting, giving a moment of your time and attention, then present the problem of, I currently have something else, of a urgent nature on my plate that requires my urgent attention, also needing to be completed within the same time line. This is how long I anticipate 'this' task to take.. and put the ball in their court. Sometimes, just mentioning that you have another obligation, and would like to assist with this task.. giving the other person (supervisor) the option to make other decisions too.. is the best way to go about it. Promise is your word, and your customer is extremely important, for obvious reasons.. __________________ *BE the change you wish to see in the world. Gandhi*

08-21-2014, 08:14 AM	#4
Anya Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Lesbian non-stone femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, her Relationship Status: Committed to being good to myself Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Coast Posts: 8,258 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 39,306 Thanked 40,445 Times in 7,285 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Having previously worked for large, for-profit companies; I have a little different take. Your boss is your first and best customer. Without the boss happy and satisfied with your work, you may not have that job. Or that customer. He probably needs that report for his/her bosses and on up the chain of command. To boss: Are you able to tell me a little more about what is needed in the report and how you would like the data presented? I am also working on that big customer's deadline. It is the same date. Boss: I understand that, just get them both done. I have had a variation on the scenario almost everywhere I have worked. Somehow, you get them both done but the boss always gets his report. First. __________________ ~Anya~ Democracy Dies in Darkness ~Washington Post "...I'm deeply concerned by recently adopted policies which punish children for their parents’ actions ... The thought that any State would seek to deter parents by inflicting such abuse on children is unconscionable." UN Human Rights commissioner

08-21-2014, 07:24 PM	#5
cricket26 Senior Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she/her Relationship Status: must be love on the brain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 1,602 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 986 Thanked 4,265 Times in 1,315 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	of course the customer is priority, saying that i try to remember that it is not a perfect world, and there will be times when i may have demands on my time from more than one person...juggling situations like this with finesse can be an important part of my job...hence a question like this can give the interviewer an insight to my personality and how i handle stress...so the answer is as complicated as the situation...but...never let them see you sweat