Tips on answering “how you overcame a difficult work situation” in an interview

You’ll have to answer behavioral interview questions no matter where you interview. These types of questions help employers understand a candidate’s problem-solving skills. “Describe how you overcame a difficult work situation” is a popular behavioral interview question highlighting problem-solving skills, flexibility, and resilience.

Here, we provide everything you need to know to deliver an impressive answer in your next interview. We cover why employers ask this question, the best way to answer it, and what you should avoid mentioning.

Why do hiring managers ask, “Describe how you overcame a difficult work situation.”

1. Reasoning behind the question: employers want to understand how you address challenges in the workplace. You should highlight your problem-solving skills, approach to handling challenges, and show off a little of your personality.
2. Reviewing problem-solving skills: The people interviewing you want to hear examples that show your critical thinking skills, how you work with others, and what you do to stay calm in high-pressure situations. All this paints a picture of how you approach challenges and find solutions.
3. Getting a grasp of your teamwork and communication skills: It’s no secret that you need to work well on a team. Interviewers are looking to see that you’re collaborative and can effectively work with others.

The best way to answer, “Describe how you overcame a difficult work situation.”

Choose your best example

• Choose the best scenario: Pick a situation that is relevant to the job posting and shows off the skills that would be the best fit for the job.
• Relevant to the position: Make sure the situation is related to the role, whether it’s similar to a previous project you’ve worked on or aligns with the organization’s strategy.
• Shows a positive impact: Your example should lead to a positive outcome.
• Demonstrates key skills and competencies: Play up your unique skills and abilities that show the employer you’re the right person for the job.

Structure your response

The best way to structure your response is by using the STAR method.

• Situation: Set the scene, such as explaining the background and challenge. This could be a difficult project you worked on or a work dilemma you handled.
• Task: Share more details about your responsibilities in this situation. Additionally, talk about what was at stake.
• Action: Explain your actions to solve the problem and how you worked with your team to resolve this challenge.
• Result: Showcase the positive outcomes from your approach.

Advice for structuring a captivating response for “Describe how you overcame a difficult work situation.” 

1. Keep it short and focus on your contributions: Don’t over-explain yourself. Your answer should be to the point while playing up your strengths and the role you played in solving the challenge.
2. Highlight transferable skills and authenticity: Emphasize transferable soft skills like leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making. Additionally, ensure your answer is genuine – sincerity resonates with employers.
3. Prepare your response ahead of time: Set aside time to practice your response to ensure you have a smooth delivery and are confident about the interview. You can practice by participating in a mock interview or using an AI interview service.

Mistakes to avoid when answering “Describe how you overcame a difficult work situation”

1. Picking an irrelevant example: Choose a relevant scenario to that job posting that highlights your experience.
2. Focusing on the problem instead of the solution: You need to spend time discussing how you solved the problem and not spend a lot of time on the issue itself.
3. Providing too many details or being vague: It’s important to balance sharing too many details and not providing enough information. You should provide enough background information so the interviewer can understand the situation without overshadowing the main points.
4. Talking negatively about past experiences: Always be positive when talking about previous experiences. Focus on sharing your contributions and solutions at your past organizations.

Examples of how to answer “Describe how you overcame a difficult work situation”

• A project with a short deadline and limited resources

In a past position, my team and I were tasked with a difficult project with a tight turnaround time. An added challenge to this project is that we had limited resources to complete this project. I took the lead in prioritizing tasks, securing additional resources, and rearranging the team’s workflow. As a result, we finished the project within the deadline and exceeded our client’s expectations.

• Resolving disagreements on the team

While working on a project, conflict between people on my team affected our productivity. I addressed this conflict by setting up a meeting to discuss the issues. Through this meeting, these team members resolved their differences, which led us to get back on track with our project.

• Developing process improvements

In my last role, I noticed inefficiencies in some of our processes on my team. I developed and executed a new process that made our workflow more efficient. The new process led to a 30% increase in productivity and a cutback in spending for the organization.

Preparing interview questions is only a part of the hiring process

Preparing your answer for this behavioral interview question can help you feel confident in your interview. Responding with a structured and authentic answer increases the likelihood of landing the job.

A major part of the interview process is finding a position you’re excited about and Addison Group’s team of recruiters can find that for you. For more than 20 years, we’ve connected expert talent with companies that match their goals and appreciate everything you bring to the table. So don’t settle for what’s out there. Let us find you a job that fits your needs.