How to answer .....

DCFC79

Give an example of a time when you have had to make a difficult decision ?

How can i answer this when i havent made difficult decisions, ive made decisions but none id say difficult. I made a decision to stay in last job after being there for a month despite me not liking it but stayed for the money, could i put that down ? or is it not wise to do so.

ohreally

How about decisions involving situations requiring analysis of a range of differing options or planning/ arranging complex activities in your workplace. Or perhaps developing or providing input into policies or procedures which may have involved tough decisions.

Its difficult to coment without knowing your previous roles and responsibilities and the level you're working towards.

DCFC79

ohreally wrote: »

How about decisions involving situations requiring analysis of a range of differing options or planning/ arranging complex activities in your workplace. Or perhaps developing or providing input into policies or procedures which may have involved tough decisions.

Its difficult to coment without knowing your previous roles and responsibilities and the level you're working towards.

yes i understand its hard, last employment we werent asked for any input of any kind for anything as it was decided for us,

past jobs have been low level jobs in retail and last job was testing projectors,

im just wanting a simple job as i have no experience of anything more, job im applying for is sales advisor at maplins

bluenoseam

I'd point out any times you dealt with awkward customers (either abusive or difficult enquiries - if you've worked in retail you've faced these!) - while you're probably right, those weren't "difficult" situations to you personally, they are in the category for this instance, it's basically a question aimed at finding out how you perform under pressure.

DCFC79

bluenoseam wrote: »

I'd point out any times you dealt with awkward customers (either abusive or difficult enquiries - if you've worked in retail you've faced these!) - while you're probably right, those weren't "difficult" situations to you personally, they are in the category for this instance, it's basically a question aimed at finding out how you perform under pressure.

abusive customers no but ones with queries yes,

thanks, something to think about

dickydonkin

DCFC79 wrote: »

Give an example of a time when you have had to make a difficult decision ?

How can i answer this when i havent made difficult decisions, ive made decisions but none id say difficult. I made a decision to stay in last job after being there for a month despite me not liking it but stayed for the money, could i put that down ? or is it not wise to do so.

I was asked this question at an interview some time ago and I asked the interviewer if they wanted the answer to be related to work or just life in general.

They told me any option would do and I gave a personal example.

I think all of us have had difficult decisions to make in our lifetimes!

I did get the job however.

DCFC79

dickydonkin wrote: »

I was asked this question at an interview some time ago and I asked the interviewer if they wanted the answer to be related to work or just life in general.

They told me any option would do and I gave a personal example.

I think all of us have had difficult decisions to make in our lifetimes!

I did get the job however.

thanks, yes think ill have to go that route then,

Emmzi

you need to demonstrate in a model answer..

- recognising a decision had to be made (lots of candidates tell me about a time they followed procedure - not the same thing at all)
- you evaluated options, including gathering information and opinions and experience of others
- you weighed what was best for you, the company, family, whoever the stakeholders were
- you made and implemented a decision
- you evaluated how it went and can say what you would do the same or different

htH

DCFC79

The last application i made for the same firm albeit a different store was rejected and im trying to change my answers as ive no idea why my application was rejected, the answer i gave last time was soemthing like "I had a problem with my brakes so I took it to the dealer and was told it was the brakes and would cost so much. Because I knew nothing about cars i said yes to the repair work and in hindsight I should have shopped around to see if I could have saved myself some money "

Emmzi

how about "how I decided which car to buy"? bet you can welly all the decision making steps into there inc. considring what you would use it for (size) costs (parkets guide) reliability, friends opinions, etc

misssmcc

i was at a course to help me find a job, the tutor spoke about this. she said you can make something up if you have to, that demonstrates good decision making in a difficult situation. if you do make something up, be sure to remember your story. i dont know if i personally would do this, but she said it doesnt have to be true, just an example to show your abilities as a calm effective desicion maker.