During the behavioral round, manager asked a question, "Tell us about a manager who was hard to work with? Why?" My response: "My previous manager made us stay in the office till 9PM for no reason other than taking call with India team together. We had to report to work by 8:30 as well for daily standup. This went on for 6 weeks and I did not enjoy working with him." How badly did I screw up? This was a genuine reply on my part, but after the interview I feel like it somehow won't shed good light on my work ethics! Don't know why I feel this way since I genuinely hated my manager for doing that. This was at a FAANG that is not really know for wlb as well! What kind of responses would you have given? I generally struggle with behavior rounds, so any responses are welcome. TC: 110K YOE: 1.5
That's not a bad example to bring up. Might have been a bit better if you'd framed it as: here's the problem, here's how I tried to rectify it in a mature and professional way, here's the outcome.
Doesn't sound unreasonable at all!
I’d have no issue with that answer. That work environment sucks.
Well, while that is understandably frustrating, it is sometimes required. Maybe your previous manager was being a bit unreasonable with the request, but maybe there was a business need that just wasn't properly communicated, or, that you didn't buy into. I don't know if its a total screw up, but it wasn't the best answer. In the future, for a question like that, understand that they're looking for your ability to handle conflict resolution, and how you respond when working with a challenging individual. If you genuinely hated your manager because they asked you to stay late for a few weeks, that emotion probably showed. If they picked up on that, then yes, you probably screwed yourself. Not for the answer, but for the attitude behind the answer. I'd practice that question and come up with a better answer for next time. Source: am a hiring manager.
Are you hiring ?
Thanks for chiming in and providing your insights. I definitely showed some emotion and he definitely picked it up. In my defense, those 6 weeks were actually hell. Not having a poker face also doesn't help. But its something I will have to work on. In the middle of Leetcode and system design prep, behavioral round takes a back seat!
L8
I would have been ok with the answer.
The only issue I see here is that behavioral rounds are not meant to be therapy. Quite frankly, that answer just sounded like you were venting. Usually they're looking for how you can navigate a variety of social landscapes. The answers for these should be: 1) The problem 2) How you dealt with it (usually diplomatically) 3) The (positive) result of your diplomatic choice
For these kind of questions use “STAR” technique
Any responses here will be well thought responses in which wouldn't be equivalent to your immediate response. Don't feel bad. You answered the question honestly from past experience. I'd take an honest question over a made up sugar coated lie anytime
Lol amazon! You should answer, I didn’t like my previous manager cause he wouldn’t let me work on weekends and sleep in the office