this is from a preinterview question for an oil services company

Quote :

"1. While at work, you see a colleague struggling with a task that could clearly be done more efficiently and effectively with a few changes. However, you are working on a project that requires all your attention. If you offer your colleague help, it may cause you to miss your deadline. If you don’t, it is possible that your colleague may fail their task. How would you handle the situation? Why did you choose to handle the situation this way? What are the pros and cons of your approach?"

11/15/2009 2:33:15 PM

suggest to your colleague that he might want to try doing the task such-and-such way. tell the colleague you wouldn't mind helping, but you have a deadline of your own. if he/she wants your help, you'll come back and help once you've met the deadline with your own project.

11/15/2009 2:35:47 PM

tell your boss he hired some idiot that cant complete said task. tell him to let him go and find someone who can

11/15/2009 2:38:37 PM

I don't answer hypothetical questions.

[Edited on November 15, 2009 at 2:39 PM. Reason : .]

11/15/2009 2:38:53 PM

never complain to your boss that someone else on your team is doing poorly, unless it's a constant problem and it has happened numerous times. it makes you look like a tattle tale. it also suggests to the boss that you don't have enough work to do if you're constantly worried about someone else and what they're doing.

11/15/2009 2:39:56 PM

i think teling them to do it another way would take me away from my task so basically you're saying finish my project then help him/her out,


my first thought was help them first cause its a team goal, but now im kinda thinking just finish mine first

11/15/2009 2:40:29 PM

Stop working on your task, don't help the co-worker. Go talk to your boss and explain to him that you are worth way more than you get paid and invite him to play a round of golf. Drink heartily from the decanter of scotch on his desk.

11/15/2009 2:41:01 PM

Tell them you will help them if they will help you. That way both tasks get completed ASSUMING they know how to help you.

11/15/2009 2:41:30 PM

suggesting to the colleague that there is an easier way to do it isn't really taking too much time away from your work though. showing them how to do it might take some time, but ultimately this question is being asked of you because they want to see if you're a team player (which is a good thing) or if you only tend to look out for yourself. stress that you want to help them BUT you want to finish your stuff before you do. i think that's the best answer you can give.

11/15/2009 2:41:58 PM

i think i figured it out,
if you help them they may still fail and you will miss your deadline so you risk both of you failing
but if at least you finish your task at least you will succeed

but if everyone has to finish for it to be a success then helping would be the right answer


^at first i thought it was about being a team player, but now i think it might be about practicality
it might be that they would rather at least one person finish task then risk everyone failing

[Edited on November 15, 2009 at 2:44 PM. Reason : ,]

11/15/2009 2:43:34 PM

i think you're an idiot

11/15/2009 2:44:17 PM

you dont get it

11/15/2009 2:45:34 PM

aha actually, i dont think you're understanding what i'm saying and you're reading way too much into the question. but whatever, good luck homey.

11/15/2009 2:46:21 PM

the question is not about whether im a nice person or not
if i say "i really want to help my fellow man" thats not going to score any points with them
they wanna get the job done, thats all

11/15/2009 2:47:28 PM

first and foremost, they want the job done. but they also want to make sure that they're hiring someone who is willing to help out someone else for the better of the company. by telling them you want to help your coworker once you've finished your task, you are doing both of those things.

11/15/2009 2:48:14 PM

yeah, this isn't a riddle and theres no one right answer

its very open-ended.

i'd suggest helping the co-worker somehow

11/15/2009 2:50:14 PM

just go rent a movie from the RedBox and think on it awhile

11/15/2009 2:51:54 PM

ok i will help my coworker, damnit

11/15/2009 3:00:52 PM

you're gonna be a GREAT addition to any company

11/15/2009 3:03:33 PM

ask a colleague of yours, who knows the material, to help out the person in need. win-win.


its all hypothetical... you gotta think on your feet




YOU FAIL

11/15/2009 3:07:55 PM