Sterile Processing Tech Interview Questions

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult team member. How did you handle the situation?

JUNIOR LEVEL

Sample answer to the question:

I once had a team member who was consistently late to team meetings and often missed deadlines. It was frustrating because it affected our overall productivity. To handle the situation, I first approached the team member privately to discuss the issue and understand the reasons behind their behavior. I learned that they were facing personal challenges that were impacting their work. I empathized with them and offered support, suggesting that they could talk to our manager about their situation. In the meantime, I redistributed their workload amongst the team to ensure that deadlines were still met. I also implemented a system of regular check-ins to monitor progress and offer assistance. By addressing the issue with empathy and providing support, we were able to work through the difficulties and improve the team member's performance.

Here is a more solid answer:

In my previous role, we had a team member who consistently missed deadlines and had a negative attitude that affected team morale. To address the situation, I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with the team member to discuss their performance. I provided specific examples of how their behavior was impacting the team and the importance of meeting deadlines. I also listened to their concerns and any challenges they were facing. Together, we developed an action plan with clear goals and deadlines to improve their performance. I offered support and resources, such as additional training or assistance from other team members. Throughout the process, I maintained open communication, regularly checking in on their progress and offering guidance. With consistent support and clear expectations, the team member was able to turn their performance around and become a valuable contributor to the team.

Why is this a more solid answer?

The solid answer expands on the basic answer by providing more specific details and addressing additional evaluation areas. The candidate demonstrates effective communication skills by providing specific examples, actively listening, and developing an action plan. They also show problem-solving abilities by offering support and resources to address the team member's challenges. The answer could be further improved by discussing the impact of the team member's improved performance on overall team productivity.

An example of a exceptional answer:

During a project, one team member consistently missed deadlines and caused delays in the project timeline. To handle the situation, I first approached the team member privately to discuss their performance. I asked open-ended questions to understand the root causes of their behavior and actively listened to their concerns. I discovered that they were overwhelmed with their workload and struggling with time management. Instead of assigning blame, I empathized with their challenges and offered assistance. Together, we created a revised timeline that took into account their workload and set realistic deadlines. I also collaborated with the project manager to redistribute some tasks to other team members to alleviate the team member's burden. Throughout the project, I maintained open communication, regularly checking in on their progress and providing guidance. By addressing the issue with empathy, actively involving the team member in finding a solution, and offering support, we were able to overcome the difficulties and successfully complete the project.

Why is this an exceptional answer?

The exceptional answer goes above and beyond by providing a detailed and well-rounded response. The candidate demonstrates excellent communication skills by actively listening, asking open-ended questions, and involving the team member in finding a solution. They also show strong problem-solving abilities by identifying the root causes of the team member's behavior and collaborating with the project manager to redistribute tasks. The candidate's empathy and support contribute to a successful resolution of the situation. The answer could be further enhanced by mentioning the specific impact of the project's completion within the given timeline.

How to prepare for this question:

Reflect on past experiences where you had to deal with difficult team members and think about the strategies you used to handle the situations.

Consider the different reasons why team members may exhibit difficult behavior, such as personal challenges, lack of motivation, or conflicting priorities.

Practice active listening skills to show empathy and understand the concerns of team members.

Familiarize yourself with resources and strategies for effectively managing team dynamics and conflicts, such as mediation techniques or performance improvement plans.