Ability to Influence Others
“Tell me about a time when you were able to con-
vince others that you had a better idea or way of
doing things.”
■“I worked with a team of product development people to
come up with a new product. I was the liaison between the
marketing and product development teams. The ideas had
to be communicated back and forth between groups. I was
the person who had to come up with creative ideas to
appease both groups while not offending egos. It was the
most challenging project I’ve ever worked, on but it was
also one of the most successful. We were able to come up
with a winning product and a successful campaign
launch.”
■“While working as a project manager, I analyzed the latest
data provided and found a flaw in our system. I put
together a spreadsheet and presented it to management
as well as to my team. I was able to demonstrate what
needed to be changed and to justify the cost involved. My
team backed my findings, and I was able to influence man-
agement to agree to put in a new system at great cost but
that in the end would show excellent savings.”
■“My writing ability has allowed me to present the facts, but
it also gives me an opportunity to present ideas within my
own framework. I worked with a team of graphic designers
to come up with the Web site for our company. Although
the design was very important, the words I wrote blended
to make a complete message. The site has been recognized
as a top Web site in the industry.”