How to answer "Can you tell me about a time when you had to deliver bad news to a colleague?" (with sample answers)

Why employers ask this

The question, "Can you tell me about a time when you had to deliver bad news to a colleague?" is a common one in job interviews. Employers ask this question to assess your communication skills, your ability to handle tough situations, and your emotional intelligence. They want to know how you handle difficult conversations with colleagues, how you manage their emotions, and whether you can deliver messages with empathy and professionalism.

This question also reveals your problem-solving skills. Employers want to see how you dealt with the situation, what steps you took to mitigate the impact of bad news, and whether you were able to find a solution to the problem. They may also be interested in whether you followed up with the colleague to make sure they were okay, or whether you provided support to help them deal with the situation.

How to answer the question

When answering the question "Can you tell me about a time when you had to deliver bad news to a colleague?" in a job interview, it's important to be honest, concise, and specific. Follow these tips to craft a good response:

• Choose an appropriate situation: Pick a situation that demonstrates your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and emotional intelligence. The situation should also be relevant to the job you're applying for.
• Structure your response: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response. Start by describing the situation, then explain the task you had to accomplish, the action you took, and the result of your action.
• Highlight your communication skills: Talk about how you communicated the bad news to your colleague. Did you have a face-to-face conversation, or did you email them? What language did you use to convey the news? Were you able to listen to their concerns and respond empathetically?
• Explain your problem-solving abilities: Describe the steps you took to mitigate the impact of bad news. Were you able to find a solution to the problem, or did you offer support to help your colleague deal with the situation?
• Show your emotional intelligence: Explain how you managed your colleague's emotions during the conversation. Were you able to show empathy, or did you come across as cold or insensitive?
• Summarize the outcome: Conclude by explaining the final outcome of the situation. Did you resolve the problem, or did it require further action? Did you follow up with your colleague to make sure they were okay?

Sample answers:

1. Bad Answer:

"I wouldn't say that I've ever had to deliver bad news to a colleague. I always try to keep everything positive and avoid negativity in the workplace."

Why it's a bad answer: This response doesn't demonstrate the ability to handle difficult situations. It also doesn't answer the question directly.

2. Good Answer:

"In my previous job, I had to inform my colleague that the project we were working on was behind schedule and we were at risk of missing the deadline. It was a tough conversation to have, but I approached it with empathy, acknowledging the impact it would have on their workload. I also presented a plan to get the project back on track, which involved additional resources and a revised timeline. We worked together to implement the plan and met the deadline in the end."

Why it's a good answer: This response includes a specific example, demonstrates the ability to have difficult conversations with colleagues and shows problem-solving skills.

3. Good Answer:

"I remember having to let a colleague know that their idea for a project was not going to be implemented. I felt it was important to give him constructive feedback about why it wasn't feasible and the impact it would have on the project. I made sure to listen to his viewpoint, acknowledge his efforts, and suggest alternative ideas that aligned with our goals. He appreciated the feedback and we were able to quickly pivot and move forward with a different plan."

Why it's a good answer: This response showcases effective communication skills, the ability to give feedback constructively, and collaboration with colleagues.

4. Bad Answer:

"I always try to stay quiet in uncomfortable situations, especially when I have to deliver bad news to a colleague. I don't like disagreements and prefer to avoid confrontations."

Why it's a bad answer: This response shows a lack of accountability and an unwillingness to address difficult situations. It doesn't demonstrate the ability to handle challenging conversations in the workplace.