How to Answer
Not every colleague becomes a friend and that’s okay. The key is how you stay professional, communicate clearly, and protect collaboration even when personalities clash.
Here’s a strong response that shows emotional intelligence, maturity, and problem-solving:
What makes this a strong answer?
- 🤝 It shows a mature approach to conflict
- 🗣 It highlights direct but respectful communication
- 📈 It ends with a positive outcome and growth
Other valid angles you could use include:
- 🧠 Working with someone who had a very different work style
- ⏱ Dealing with a team member who missed deadlines
- 🔁 Resolving friction over how feedback was given or received
Why this question matters
Teamwork isn’t just about harmony, it’s about resilience. Recruiters ask this question because:
- 🧩 Conflict is inevitable in high-performing teams
- 🧠 They want to know if you reflect or react
- 🛠 They’re looking for real-world collaboration skills
This question reveals whether you can navigate difficult relationships without harming the bigger picture.
What the Recruiter Is Really Evaluating
This isn’t a personality quiz, it’s a test of your maturity, communication, and emotional control under pressure.
| What They Ask | What They’re Evaluating |
|---|---|
| “Tell me about a difficult colleague” | Your emotional intelligence |
| “What did you do?” | Your communication skills and courage |
| “How did it end?” | Your collaboration ability and focus on results |
And silently, they’re asking themselves:
- 🧊 Will this person stay calm under pressure?
- 🧭 Can they resolve tension or just avoid it?
- 🗂 Will they protect team dynamics or create drama?
Bottom line: Every team has friction. What counts is whether you know how to deal with it constructively.