If you’re interviewing for a job that requires problem-solving skills, you’ll want to be prepared with an answer to the question, “are you a problem solver?” This is one of the most common interview questions, and it’s important to give a response that will impress your interviewer. This blog will discuss how to answer this question and showcase your problem-solving skills.
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Why does the interview asks, “Are You a Problem Solver?”
Interviewees want to know if you are someone who can find creative solutions to problems or if you tend to give up when things get tough. If you are a problem solver, this is your chance to shine! Showcase a time when you were presented with a difficult challenge and how you overcame it.
How to Answer “Are You a Problem Solver?” in an Interview
The key to answering this question is how you see yourself as a problem solver. When you go into an interview, you must present yourself in the best possible light. This means highlighting your strengths and explaining how they help you succeed in your current role or any other roles in which they might be useful.
To start, answer the interviewer’s question directly: “Yes, I am a problem solver.” Then give an example of when and how you have solved problems at work before. The more specific and detailed your example is, the better—it should demonstrate that not only do you know what it takes for something to be considered a problem (and where it falls on the spectrum from “small inconvenience” to “complete disaster”), but also that solving said problem required thoughtfulness, creativity and hard work on both sides (yours and other people’s).
Offer examples of times you solved problems in your past.
- Identify the problem.
- Select a solution.
- Implement the solution.
- Evaluate the results and document them in a report or presentation.
Explain your process for solving and fixing problems.
The next step is to define the problem and develop a solution. You want to be clear about what you’re trying to accomplish so that you don’t waste time or energy going down blind alleys.
For example, let’s say your goal is to run a 5k race in less than 50 minutes. If you’re not careful when setting this goal, it could be unachievable for someone who has never run before—or for someone who’s been training for years but hasn’t reached their personal best time yet!
Being ambitious in your goals: aiming high will help motivate you and keep you from giving up when things inevitably get tough. But at the same time, don’t set unrealistic expectations for yourself or allow outside influences.
Include your experience
It’s important to include examples from each category in your answer.
When you were a student
Include examples of when you fixed something at school or helped resolve an issue with another student. For example, “Once my teacher gave out the wrong assignment to all of my classmates, I volunteered to help them finish it.”
When you were a volunteer
Include any examples of when you fixed something for someone else. For example, “I noticed that one of the volunteers was having trouble using our website’s scheduling tool and offered to show him how it worked.”
When you were an employee
Include examples of when you fixed something at work for yourself or other employees or resolved conflicts between coworkers. For example, “I created a new spreadsheet template for our sales team based on feedback from several people and improved it after receiving positive responses from everyone who used it.”
When you were a parent
Include examples of where fixing problems was part of raising your kids (this would usually be more relevant if interviewing for positions where working with children is required). For example, “My daughter had trouble learning her multiplication tables and remembering them during tests every week at school; I made flashcards and quizzed her every night until she mastered them.”
As manager/leader/supervisor/boss
In addition to handling issues related to employees directly under your supervision (which could include resolving disputes), consider including situations where fixing problems extended beyond the scope of individual employees’ jobs (for example: responding when customers complained about poor service).
For instance: “When we received complaints about customer service not being responsive enough during peak times on Fridays afternoons last year before we implemented new policies requiring that calls be answered within 30 seconds instead than 5 minutes like they had been previously; I took charge by calling each person back personally within 15 minutes before ending up finding ways to increase staffing levels, so everyone got better coverage throughout their shifts.”
Skills
A few key skills are necessary for success when solving problems. You can formulate your answer about how these skills make you an excellent problem solver.
Stay Organized
When trying to solve a complicated puzzle or find a solution to a challenging challenge, it can be helpful to break the task down into smaller pieces. This will help you stay organized and focused on the task at hand.
Adaptability and Flexibility
In some cases, the solution to a problem is not always clear. You may need to try a few different approaches before finding the right one. It’s important to be adaptable and flexible when solving problems so that you can find the best solution possible.
Initiative and Drive
When working on a problem, it’s important to have the initiative and drive to see it through to the end. This can be difficult, especially if the problem is complex or time-consuming. However, if you can persevere and find a solution, it will be worth it.
Think Creatively
To develop innovative solutions, you need to think outside the box. This means considering all possibilities and being open to new ideas.
Persevere
When things get tough, it’s important to persevere and not give up. Showing determination and grit are key qualities of a good problem solver.
Be Detail Oriented
As mentioned before, a problem solver is usually detail-oriented. This means they can see the individual parts of a puzzle and how they fit together.
Other Resources
Common Interview Questions and Example Answers
Talk about the challenges you face when solving problems.
This is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re not afraid of hard work and are ready to tackle any problem that comes your way. It also shows them that you can learn from mistakes and move on from them.
However, it’s important to mention that when talking about how much time you’ve spent working out solutions for problems, make sure this isn’t one of the first things that come up in the interview process. If it is, consider whether it’s worth mentioning—you want the hiring manager focused on your qualifications (including your problem-solving skills), not what challenges you may face in a future job or workplace environment.
“Are you a problem solver?” interview question example answers?
Example 1
“I’m a problem solver. We constantly got complaints from customers about our product in my last job. I took it upon myself to talk to some of them and figure out the problem. Once I did, I went to my boss and presented a solution. He loved it, and we implemented it right away. The complaints stopped coming in, and our customers were happy.”
Example 2
“I would say that I’m a problem solver. When I worked as a cashier, there were often long lines, and people would get angry. I would try to diffuse the situation by being friendly and helpful. I would also suggest ways to the manager how we could improve the flow of the line. He listened to my suggestions, and we implemented them. The lines went down, and people were happier.”
Example 3
When I am faced with a problem, the first thing I do is try to understand what is causing it. Once I have a good understanding of the issue, I start brainstorming potential solutions. I then evaluate each solution and choose the one that I think will be the most effective. Finally, I implement the chosen solution and monitor its effectiveness. If it is not working, I am not afraid to try a different approach.
Example 4
I would describe myself as a problem solver because I am always looking for ways to improve things. Whether it is finding a more efficient way to do something or coming up with an innovative solution to a difficult problem, I am always trying to find ways to make things better. For me, it is important to identify the root cause of a problem so that I can find a lasting solution. Once I have identified the cause, I brainstorm potential solutions and choose the one that I think will be the most effective. Finally, I implement the chosen solution and monitor its effectiveness. If it is not working, I am not afraid to try a different approach.
Example 5
I would describe myself as a problem solver. I have always been the type of person who looks for ways to improve things. Whether it is finding a more efficient way to do something or coming up with an innovative solution to a difficult problem, I am always trying to find ways to make things better. For me, it is important to identify the root cause of a problem so that I can find a lasting solution.
Once I have identified the cause, I brainstorm potential solutions and choose the one that I think will be the most effective. Finally, I implement the chosen solution and monitor its effectiveness. If it is not working, I am not afraid to try a different approach.
Conclusion
Are you a problem solver? We hope you get all the tips on how to answer this question when asked in an interview. Be sure to highlight your problem-solving skills in your resume and interview so that potential employers can see how you can add value to their organization.