Help from the savy thinker

[Mi Bankruptcy]

I have to answer some questions for a job I am interested in. I have writers block right now( answered a bunch of other questions). How would you fine people answer these questions. Maybe it will ignite a proper response from me. Thanks -Mi

1.Describe a time when everyone in a meeting was opposed to your ideas. How did you manage to work it out?

2. When a logical approach to a problem is ineffective how have you come up with a better solution? What was the problem and what was the process you used to come up with a better solution

[coloradomrg]

Writers block aside... whats the simplest version of these issues in your life? It can be as simple as at home around the table trying to figure out vacations.

I had to do these kind of questions in August. With no prep, and face to face with management. It was tough to be on the spot because I kept going back to the same well.

1. think of a time when you were in a meeting or at home and were the odd one out. Did you get everyone on board by changing your approach, or did you do what I do and get them one at a time and eventually you were in the majority to get the rest to come along?

Not sure what to go with on the 2nd one... my ADD is all over the place!

[Mi Bankruptcy]

LOL,
I think I would rather do it in person. The worse thing is a bunch of questions I replied to before these final 2 actually used these methods. However, It would sound like I was rehashing what I wrote before.

[twuoo]

If everyone is opposed to your idea, then have people share what their ideas are and people vote and go with the most popular or workable idea. Sometimes your idea might not be the best solution. So seek all possible avenues and choices. Even if your idea is good and people think it sucks, you better rethink your idea unless you're going to be the one implementing the whole thing from start to finish. If you need to count on a team, then be a team and do what other people are willing to do.

Sometimes logic isnt necessarily the best way to handle a problem either. Esp if the problem is of an emotional or human nature problem. Logic goes out the window.

Here's an example, elderly people often get into the most auto accidents at 1) intersections and 2) trying to make a left hand turn. This is because of processing speed, possible depth perception loss, reaction times, etc.

While logic would dictate that to get from point A to point B, you'd "normally" or logically have to make the left hand turn, it isn't safe, and it might cause an accident.

So to get from point A to point B, instead make 3 right hand turns, even if you have to travel a little longer or a little further. Thus alleviating the need to make a left into oncoming traffic.

And yes, this IS a defensive driving technique I teach the elderly who wish to continue to drive.

Including thinking time, I typed this in less than 10 mins I think.

So just think outside the box. When pressed, go for the most diplomatic or majority ruled answers.

[Flamingo]

To the OP - when answering job questions, the employer is looking for what you would do in a situation. Usually these questions are asked while you are at the interview or when you are filling out an application when you arrive for an interview. They look for originality and not cookie cutter answers. They look to see how you can think on your own and that is how I would view those questions. Put yourself in the office setting at a table in a meeting and think how you would respond to those situations. You could get several different respoinses from other people how they would handle it but that is not what your prospective employer is looking for. Thinking outside the box is hard...but that is what employers want - initiative and originality.