Interview Question

lucky2b5

Had an interview for a job the other day and one question I was asked really threw me; "Have you ever been given information at work that you did not understand?" , like how do you answer that one? I'm not sure what answer they are looking for and how that could be relevant or the point of it, can anyone please shed any light on this????

RedXIV

I'd assume they are trying to see if you'd ask questions if you were told something you didn't understand. There was a guy who used to work with me and always would just say "yes no problem" to what he was told....and then half the time, he'd go back after half an hour confessing his complete loss at what to do. that time adds up and wears thin across patience. If you don't understand something, say so. Nobody wants to be explaining something to you for the 5th time

biko

Your answer could be "Yes, several times. I had to ask the person to clarify until I did understand it perfectly".

The question is to see what you do when you face a problem you cannot solve by yourself.

amen

They want to know what you would do when presented with information you don't understand. Happens to everyone in work

lucky2b5

I'm still a bit confused , the answer I gave them was that on on occasion my manager rang me for information on a report, I didnt understand the report so I told him I wasnt sure and that I would find out and call him back, I them found out where to look on the report form a colleague and rang him with the info, I stressed that I did this rather than give the wrong figure or bluff it, also gave example of a time I was being trained on sometime and didnt understand how to do part of it so I asked my manager to clarify i still wasnt sure so I ask him to show me, are these the answers they were looking for????????

Mena

lucky2b5 wrote: »

I'm still a bit confused , the answer I gave them was that on on occasion my manager rang me for information on a report, I didnt understand the report so I told him I wasnt sure and that I would find out and call him back, I them found out where to look on the report form a colleague and rang him with the info, I stressed that I did this rather than give the wrong figure or bluff it, also gave example of a time I was being trained on sometime and didnt understand how to do part of it so I asked my manager to clarify i still wasnt sure so I ask him to show me, are these the answers they were looking for????????

I'd say that would be good enough.

ALFIET

lucky2b5 wrote: »

I'm still a bit confused , the answer I gave them was that on on occasion my manager rang me for information on a report, I didnt understand the report so I told him I wasnt sure and that I would find out and call him back, I them found out where to look on the report form a colleague and rang him with the info, I stressed that I did this rather than give the wrong figure or bluff it, also gave example of a time I was being trained on sometime and didnt understand how to do part of it so I asked my manager to clarify i still wasnt sure so I ask him to show me, are these the answers they were looking for????????

Dont stress about this too much. Your answer was grand.

They are looking to make sure that you are self aware; noone can have all of the answers all of the time ( although i do like to think i am right all of the time )

They are also looking to see if you could give them a good example without being dismissive of your old employer or too down on your own ability.

They want someone self aware, who isnt too phased when they dont have all the answers, wont BS a situation and will honestly and proactively deal with the situation to get the answer and revert back to the individual.