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Interview Tips & Stories

1mo

veganbob

works at

Amazon

This just happened last week...,

I was in the final round of an interview for a role I was really excited about. Everything had gone smoothly until they asked: "How do you typically handle conflict at work?" I decided to be honest. I told them about a time, just a few months ago, when I had to confront a team lead who was constantly taking credit for my work. It wasn’t easy, but I stayed calm, documented everything, and finally escalated it when nothing changed. It taught me a lot about standing up for myself and setting boundaries. The next day, the recruiter called to say they wouldn’t be moving forward. The feedback? I came across as someone who could be "difficult to manage." It stung. Because I thought I was showing accountability and growth. Now I’m wondering, should I have sugarcoated it? Framed it more safely? Or do we always have to hide our real stories in interviews?

Comments

Popularity

nutritionformulator

works at

Jubilant Ingrevia

Honesty with self is the main thing.

veganbob

author

works at

Amazon

[nutritionformulator](username) haan but companies clearly dont care

a team lead

1mo

you weren’t wrong. some companies just aren’t ready for people who speak up tbh

veganbob

author

1mo

works at

Amazon

[a team lead](username) True, but that’s what worries me. If most companies aren't ready, do we keep filtering or just filter ourselves a bit more next time? Curious what you’d do.

a sales executive

1mo

been there. said i handled a toxic manager by raising it to HR, and the recruiter ghosted me

veganbob

author

1mo

works at

Amazon

[a sales executive](username) Ugh, brutal! Like we’re expected to endure toxicity and smile about it in interviews? Makes me think, maybe honesty is bad PR.

a software developer

1mo

your story shows strength. the company just wasn’t the right fit. that’s on them, not you.

veganbob

author

1mo

works at

Amazon

[a software developer](username) What even is the right fit anymore?

importantbiryani

1mo (edited)

currently not working

The honesty is good but the example that you presented is Not a conflict.

veganbob

author

1mo

works at

Amazon

[importantbiryani](username) as in ? i dont get it

dhoklakhaega

1mo

works at

BYJU'S

in future maybe soften the framing a bit...like focus more on the ‘what i learned’ than the conflict part itself

veganbob

author

1mo

works at

Amazon

[dhoklakhaega](username) Fair point. But isn’t that kind of...editing the truth? I mean, I did escalate it. Why should that make me a management risk?