How would you answer these questions?

[HollyGoats]

To set the scene I'm returning to the world of work after being at home with my DC.

I am looking for term time office work ideally in a school as are lots of other mums!

Had an interview last week and I thought it went well but I did stumble on a couple of questions. Thought I would throw it out to you all for some help.

First one was asking what areas did I identify as needing personal development? My initial thought was First Aid training.

Second one was describing an incident of conflict and how it was resolved. I drew a complete blank. I don't really have conflict with people.

Maybe my answers were ok or maybe I could have answered better?

What was the exact job you had applied for?

First aid is a good one- but depends how you ‘sold it’. Ie, did you say you have lots of experience/are really confident but are looking forward to achieving the most up to date qualification or did you say ‘oh god, first aid is really hard, I always panic and faint at the site of blood so yeah I’d need to work on that...’ 😅

Area of conflict may be something like knowing parents and them complaining etc

Could you have described how you resolved a conflict between two others eg your children? You need to have answers to these sorts of questions.

I had an interview where I was asked how I dealt with something I (and they) knew I never had...but it was key for the role, so I recalled a situation I had not dealt with, but which had come up at my work, and said what I would have done. Does that help?

The exact job is Office Admin.

Wrt First Aid I said that I did Baby First Aid a few years ago and that I would welcome a refresh. I didn't know if they were looking for some form of CPD type answer?

Wrt area of conflict that was resolved I still can't think. At least not one I can spin positively as such because the colleagues properly fell out. I will think of something related to the DC.

Area of conflict, in a previous job an abusive client/customer/subordinate/colleague came in with a totally unfounded complaint didn’t they? They were really abusivs to you and your more timid colleague.

You handled the situation calmly, placated the complainer by taking careful note of the situation and ensuring the matter was dealt with promptly in line with company policy.

Didn’t you?

You also managed to rise above all personal insults and ensure that your colleague was able to take an extended break to calm down, on her return you offered her a refresh on the customer service training you helped to develop? (Too much 😉?)

@AppleKatie yes maybe a smidge too much! That's really helpful. Thank you.