Article: For the most part, when interviewers ask about conflict they're looking for an example. An interviewer might ask a broad question like, "Can you tell me about a time you've dealt with conflict at the office?" As you're preparing for your job hunt, keep a running list of conflicts you've dealt with professionally over the years.  Workplace conflicts can range from small misunderstandings to large blowouts. You should pick something that is fairly easy to explain in a few sentences and stick to examples that highlight professional conflicts. Talking about how you and a co-worker had creative differences while working on a presentation is a better example than two employees dating and then breaking up.  Pick only conflicts that were fixed. Interviewers respond best to narrative examples, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. You don't want to choose a conflict that was left unresolved as an open-ended closing is unsatisfactory to a potential employer.  Your examples should highlight your own actions. Select a conflict that you took action to resolve rather than choosing a disagreement that was fixed by an outside party. Also, select a conflict that was somewhat substantial. While the conflict does not need to be cataclysmic, it should be an issue that lasted more than a day or two.  One example of a good workplace conflict would be something like, "I was working on a brochure for an upcoming charity auction our company was hosting. I was working with Ramona, a designer for the company, and she missed a few important deadlines. As a result, I was concerned we would not finish the brochure in time to do adequate advertising for the auction." This is a conflict where there is something at stake, a brochure, and the resolution is not necessarily black and white. Your interviewer will want to know how you dealt with this conflict. Consider this carefully. It can be helpful to jot down a few short paragraphs explaining how you dealt with a handful of work conflicts.  Focus on how you resolved the disagreement in a way that was both professional and productive. Emphasize overcoming any feelings of frustration to work on a solution that was beneficial to your workplace.  Do not just talk about your actions. Also, talk about your mentality while coping with the conflict. What were you thinking, and why?  Take the above example. A good follow up might be, "When I tried to discuss my worries with Ramona, she blew up at me and I was taken aback. I tried to remain calm and consider her feelings. She explained she had a very specific plan for the brochure and did not feel the company gave her enough time to complete to project. I asked if there was any way I could help, and she told me if I would allow her to train me to do a few simple design tasks it would take a lot off her plate. I agreed and we managed to work together and complete the brochure in time." This shows that you took action in the face of conflict and highlights your capacity to empathize with a co-worker's situation. You should make sure you can explain the situation briefly. A potential employer will be conducting many interviews throughout the course of the day and might not remember details if you include too much. Try to write down the basics of the situation in bullet points and then practice telling the story a few times before your interview.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
List examples where you've dealt with conflict. Think about the approach you took dealing with these conflicts. Find a way to articulate this succinctly.