#2 question, "time you had a conflict"

I think it's OK to say you haven't had a work conflict (lucky you!) but would provide another example - from volunteer work or something like that.

I would imagine a follow up question would be "Can  you give me an example of how you politely disagreed without causing hard feelings".

If you are going through a competency based interview, you are going to need an example to allow them to assess you against that (and, in some cases, 'tick that box').

Instead of politely disagreeing, you need to show 'how' that played out, step by step, how assertive you were and how you influenced that person or negotiated with them.

Now, failing all else with regard to those you work with, you could say the whole 'we work in harmony' stuff if you are not willing to expand on the 'mild annoyances', BUT you need another example of conflict, whether it be with your neighbour, the PTA, church board, neighbourhood watch...

Do I remember you once having an issue over classes you were teaching in your church? I don't remember what it was now, maybe something about uneven distribution of workload? Anyway, if you remember, that might be an example you could use.

If you've been involved in your church in *any* way then I find it hard to believe that you've never had any conflict with anyone over anything. ?? I've just now come from a meeting where there was "discussion" over getting rid of books. Outdated (but not old like antique age) books. Worse, outdated bible commentaries. ugh. 

Surely there is something. Sunday school, pta, community groups... 

While that may be okay as a para, as a teacher you need to have some opinions.  Having opinions doesn't mean you are fighting with someone.  Can you say that you always agreed 100% with the teacher or the other paras?

I know my paras don't always agree with me.  They disagree respectfully when we are alone, not in front of students.  They state their case, but ultimately know the decision rests with me.

Is the last three years the only time you have held a job?  Did you not have disagreements in other jobs?  What about planning for a garden?  Or hell in a store?  

They want someone with a personality and a backbone. Work less on being a people pleaser and more on being YOU. That's what they want to see.

Then what I would totally do is keep arguing with us about the definition of conflict and that you don't have any.  You are sure to be prepared for the interview with that attitude.

Sounds very rehearsed honestly.  I would also not believe that you or anyone would not have had some kind of conflict. That conflict doesn't have to be an argument--could be a scheduling conflict.  If you are interviewing for a teaching job, they are going to want to know how you would deal with it.  You can have a disagreement--all of us teachers do from time to time---without it turning into a massive issue.

There's no job, NONE, where there isn't conflict.  They are going to want specifics from you.

I didn't read all the answers so apologies if someone said this already.

I would not look at conflict as a "run-in" but instead come up with an example where you had a professional difference with someone.

Teacher A wanted to do XYZ and you wanted to do ABC... and explain how you compromised or how for reasons 1,2,3 you decided to Plan C.

What I would not say is I never had a conflict. In any job that would raise huge red flags... either you are a dominant personality, or you are a doormat.

A professional difference of opinion is a conflict in my book.

Then explain **how** you assert yourself. Anytime they ask a question which starts with "Describe a time when ...." - do exactly that - give an example. If you can't do that in the interview, they aren't going to consider you for the position. You should sound prepared, but not overly rehearsed.

You have no idea how unbelievably lucky you are! I'm green with envy right now! 

My immediate boss is a classic narcissist and loves to make people feel like idiots, there are ongoing conflicts with most staff but if you work here you suck it up because he is one of the owners.  I have a co worker who chronically calls in sick and leave us holding the bag doing her work and our own work regularly.  She used up her full week of sick time pay by the end of January.  J-A-N-U-A-R-Y! Now she has to use vacation time, and still calls in... 

This is the approach I've adopted re:  work conflict:  I worry about myself.  Period.  And I don't take it personally.  Not everyone has the same work ethic, and it's doubtful as adults they will grow new personalities.  So I just do my own job to the best of my ability and let the others bask in their own drama.  I'm too old to get sucked in anymore.  

Absolutely impossible to not have a conflict with someone when you are a nurse in a hospital for 15 years. I don't even know how I'd answer that, other than I don't seek conflict, but I'm quick to bring it to resolution so we can get past it, find the best solution that keeps the patient health and safety first, and get back on track like professionals.

I've been on interview panels a lot lately - we do ask about conflict, but more specifically how the conflict was resolved. 

If I was on your interview panel and you gave that answer, honestly I would think you don't understand what conflict is... it doesn't have to be hostile, it doesn't have to be contentious, and it doesn't have to be anything major.  I would also view that as a non-answer.

We all deal with and resolve conflict all the time - in the context of education, it can be as simple as a difference of opiniong between colleagues about instructional strategies, curriculum, or classroom management or a parent who disagrees with a policy or practice.  If you work with PLCs/Collaborative Teams at your school, you deal with conflict as part of the process. In the context of your everyday life, you deal with conflict every time you have a disagreement with someone - in my case, dh wanted to go out for dinner last night and I didn't (too much $$, too many calories).  We didn't have a fight or argument, but we resolved the conflict. 

You could say something like "I've been very fortunate to work with collaborative, supportive colleagues, so when we have conflicts we are able to resolve them fairly easily.  For example, last year I really wanted to implement XYZ, but several members of the team were opposed... (then describe how you dealt with the differences of opinions and ultimately resolved the issue)"