Sample Interview Questions and Answers: Tell Me About A Time – Wendy’s Answer

(Who is Wendy? Wendy – Executive and recent Chief Operating Officer seeking Controller position)

Terry: Tell me about a time when you took on a position in an area that was perhaps unfamiliar to you.

Wendy: I think as a consultant every time you go into a new client situation it’s unfamiliar.  What I like to pride myself on is that I take the appropriate amount of time to understand the organization, to know the nuances of how they work, how they make decisions, to also understand the business.

Again, having started my career in public accounting, it was very important — to be effective in my role — to really understand the underlying business, so I kind of get excited and charged up about that.

So I do a lot of research.  The Internet is a great thing to be able to do research not only about operational issues, but people issues.  Like I said, I spend the appropriate amount of time understanding the dynamics and culture.

Then, most importantly, I leverage my network of professionals, my past  associations with XXX to make sure that when I can’t do my own research and understand something I reach out to my network to support me.

Here’s how I would rate this answer . . .

Q7. Tell me about a time when you . . . – WENDY QUICK RATING – F

See suggested story format, you didn’t talk about one specific instance, then when I prompted again you did set up the situation, could add more in middle on specifics of what you did, didn’t tell the end of story, should wrap up with benefits received by organization in that specific situation.