Bad Answers to Behavioral Questions

[qaqueen]

I admit, I hate behavioral question interviews, but they do seem to be the predominant trend for nursing positions.

What do you do when you have an answer to a behavioral question that you know you shouldn't use?

During a recent interview, I was asked..."tell me about a time when you did not get along with a supervisor or manager." I have an answer for this, but I don't believe that the truth would assist me in obtaining a new position!

How do you handle these questions? Any insight would be appreciated.

[chrisrn24]

I think it's fine to share the story but you need to have learned a lesson from it. That is what they want to hear - how you resolved it!

[damrcngrl95]

I had to answer that same type question at a recent interview. First I addressed that since we all have different personalities that i am not always see eye to eye with my boss. In the times that I didn't agree, I tried to talk with my boss respectfully to get their perspective and see if we couldn't compromise. If we couldn't, then the fact they were the boss meant I would do it. As long as it's not illegal. Lol

I focused more on how communication was key to keeping a good working relationship and that we may not always agree, but that didn't mean that we still could get things done and get along. Keep a positive spin on everything.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I keep a word file containing various scenarios and answers to Behavioural questions that I update before an interview. They all ask more or less the same type of questions, so after you've had a few interviews, they should be easier to handle.

When someone is asking your weakness for example, try to turn that into a positive. I used to take on too much work for myself, but through the years I've learned to delegate and mentor others so they can share in the workload.

And please, research the organization. I conducted interviews this week. The people who knew nothing about our facility will not be called back. Prepare yourself in advance and you will get noticed.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Use the mission statement of the facility.

"In this facility, where respect and dignity are the cornerstones of your mission statement, I would think that using theraputic problem solving would assist in any disagreement".

"I would assume that my supervisor would not make unreasonable demands on the nursing staff, it goes against your blah, blah, blah policy I was reading about on your website. Therefore, I would not presume that there will be a time of disagreement that can't be worked through professionally".

And the pp is correct when discussing "weakness" you should turn it into a positive and what you learned from it.

Good luck!

[qaqueen]

Thank you all, these suggestions are great! I am starting a word file tonight!

Thank you again.