Describe a time when you had to handle a difficult client or stakeholder
Theme: Client Management Role: Creative Director Function: Marketing
Interview Question for Creative Director: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Creative Director: Leads creative teams in developing marketing materials. This role falls within the Marketing function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here
Sample Answer
Example response for question delving into Client Management with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence
- Difficult Client or Stakeholder: Provide a brief overview of the difficult client or stakeholder, including their role and the context of the situation
- Challenges Faced: Explain the specific challenges or issues that made the client or stakeholder difficult to handle
- Approach Taken: Describe the approach you took to handle the difficult client or stakeholder, including any strategies or tactics used
- Communication & Relationship Building: Highlight the importance of effective communication and relationship building in managing the difficult client or stakeholder
- Problem Resolution: Explain how you resolved the issues or conflicts with the difficult client or stakeholder, including any compromises or solutions reached
- Results Achieved: Share the positive outcomes or results achieved as a result of effectively handling the difficult client or stakeholder
- Lessons Learned: Discuss the lessons learned from this experience and how it has influenced your approach to handling difficult clients or stakeholders in the future
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Conflict resolution skills: Assessing how well you handle difficult situations and navigate conflicts with clients or stakeholders
- Communication skills: Evaluating your ability to effectively communicate and manage expectations with challenging individuals
- Problem-solving abilities: Understanding your approach to resolving issues and finding solutions when dealing with difficult clients or stakeholders
- Client/stakeholder management: Assessing your ability to build and maintain relationships with clients or stakeholders, even in challenging circumstances
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Blaming the client: Avoid blaming the difficult client or stakeholder for the situation. Instead, focus on how you effectively managed the relationship and resolved any issues
- Lack of empathy: Avoid showing a lack of empathy towards the difficult client or stakeholder. Instead, demonstrate your ability to understand their perspective and find common ground
- Inability to handle conflict: Avoid portraying yourself as someone who avoids or struggles with conflict. Instead, highlight your skills in conflict resolution and your ability to maintain professionalism in challenging situations
- Lack of problem-solving skills: Avoid not providing a clear solution or strategy for handling difficult clients or stakeholders. Instead, showcase your problem-solving abilities and how you effectively resolved the situation