BehavioralIntermediateTraditional one-on-one, Panel
Tell me about a time you disagreed with someone in authority. How did you handle it?
Tell me about a time: A real past experience that shows how you work, lead, fail and recover.
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Sample answer outline
- Choose a disagreement about substance (a plan, a process, safety), not a personality clash.
- Show you checked yourself first: did you have the full picture?
- Describe raising it respectfully and privately, with facts and a suggestion.
- Give the result, and show you accepted the decision or escalated only when the stakes justified it.
- Reflect on what you learned about speaking up.
What makes it work
- It shows you can disagree without damaging the relationship.
- Proportion: escalating only when it truly matters.
Avoid
- A story where you were simply right and they were simply wrong.
How to approach tell me about a time questions
- Pick a real example with stakes. Set up the situation in two sentences.
- Spend most of your time on your own actions, and say "I", not only "we".
- Give an honest result, including what didn't work.
- End with what you learned and how you've used it since.
What it tests
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Say it out loud
Confetto's AI interviewer asks you this question, follows up like a real interviewer and gives feedback on your answer.
Practice this question now7-day free trial