Prompt
Imagine I am your coworker. My father died three weeks ago and I came back to work this week. You have been quietly fixing mistakes I have made, and our manager has started asking you why the team's numbers are down. Pretend I am that coworker. What would you say to me?
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After you practice: what this question tests and how to approach it
What this question tests
- Empathy and compassion
- Communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
How to approach this question
This panel interview roleplay tests whether you can open a difficult conversation with a grieving coworker, with compassion and honesty in the same breath. Speak to the interviewer directly as if they were the coworker, and begin by acknowledging the loss before you mention work. Show that you've noticed the mistakes and the manager's questions, and say so without blame. Ask how they're doing and what would help, such as time off, a lighter workload or talking with the manager together. Think about why quietly covering for them can't go on indefinitely, and who it hides the problem from. Close with a concrete next step you agree on together, and leave room for their reaction.
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If you want to practice with a person, we run mock MMI and panel interviews with feedback on every answer.
