Top interview questions to expect

1. Tell me about a time when you successfully overcame a challenging situation at work. What was the situation, and how did you handle it?


2. Can you describe a time when you had to work with someone difficult? How did you manage the situation?


3. Give me an example of a time when you had to lead a team or project. What were the results?


4. Can you tell me about a time when you failed? What did you learn from the experience?


5. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? How do you plan to improve your weaknesses?


6. What attracted you to McKesson? Why are you interested in this role?


7. Do you have any questions for me about McKesson or the role?

Check the latest questions for this role:

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR framework is a storytelling technique used in behavioral interviews to organize your answers in a clear and concise way. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

– Situation: Describe the situation or challenge you faced in detail. Set the context and provide enough information for the interviewer to understand the circumstances.


– Task: Explain the specific task or responsibility you had in that situation. Clearly state your role and what you were expected to achieve.


– Action: Describe the specific actions you took to address the situation or complete the task. Be detailed and highlight your skills, abilities, and thought processes.


– Result: Conclude your answer by describing the positive outcome or result of your actions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible and emphasize the value you added to the organization or team.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Tell me about a time when you successfully overcame a challenging situation at work. What was the situation, and how did you handle it?

Answer:
Situation: I used to work as a customer service representative at a large retail store. One day, a customer came in extremely upset because she had been waiting for over an hour for a product she had ordered online.

Task: As the representative responsible for handling customer inquiries, I had to resolve the issue and calm the customer down.

Action: I apologized for the inconvenience and empathized with the customer’s frustration. I then checked the system and discovered that the product was accidentally delivered to the wrong address. I immediately contacted the delivery company and arranged for the product to be delivered to the correct address the same day. Additionally, I offered the customer a discount on her next purchase as compensation for the inconvenience.

Result: The customer was very appreciative of my prompt and effective resolution. She thanked me and left the store satisfied with the outcome. This situation demonstrated my ability to handle difficult customers, remain calm under pressure, and find efficient solutions to problems.


2. Can you describe a time when you had to work with someone difficult? How did you manage the situation?

Answer:
Situation: In a previous role, I had to work on a project with a colleague who was known to be difficult and uncooperative. This individual was often dismissive of others’ ideas and would frequently try to take credit for work that was not theirs.

Task: My task was to complete the project successfully despite the challenges posed by this difficult colleague.

Action: To manage the situation, I took a proactive approach. I made an effort to understand my colleague’s perspective and identify their strengths. I also set clear boundaries and communicated my expectations directly. Additionally, I focused on building a positive and supportive relationship with other members of the team to create a collaborative environment.

Result: Through my efforts, I was able to successfully complete the project on time and within budget. I also earned the respect of my difficult colleague, who eventually became more cooperative and supportive. This experience demonstrated my ability to navigate difficult interpersonal dynamics, maintain professionalism, and achieve positive outcomes.


3. Give me an example of a time when you had to lead a team or project. What were the results?

Answer:
Situation: As a project manager, I was responsible for leading a team of engineers in developing a new software application. The project was complex and required a high level of coordination and collaboration among team members.

Task: My task was to lead the team effectively and ensure the successful completion of the project.

Action: To achieve this, I created a clear project plan and assigned specific roles and responsibilities to each team member. I also conducted regular meetings to track progress, identify challenges, and provide support to the team. Additionally, I fostered a positive and open communication culture, encouraging team members to share their ideas and concerns freely.

Result: Under my leadership, the team was able to successfully complete the software application on time and within budget. The application was well-received by users and received positive feedback from stakeholders. This experience demonstrated my ability to lead and motivate a team, manage complex projects, and deliver successful outcomes.


4. Can you tell me about a time when you failed? What did you learn from the experience?

Answer:
Situation: Early in my career, I was responsible for managing a large budget for a marketing campaign. Unfortunately, due to a miscalculation, I exceeded the budget by a significant amount.

Task: My task was to address the situation and find a way to minimize the financial impact on the company.

Action: I took immediate action by conducting a thorough analysis of the campaign’s expenses. I identified areas where costs could be reduced without compromising the campaign’s effectiveness. I also reached out to vendors and suppliers to negotiate better terms and secure discounts.

Result: Through my efforts, I was able to reduce the overage by a substantial amount and mitigate the financial impact on the company. This experience taught me the importance of meticulous budgeting, careful planning, and effective communication in financial management. It also reinforced the value of learning from mistakes and taking proactive steps to rectify them.


5. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? How do you plan to improve your weaknesses?

Answer:

Strengths:
– Communication and Collaboration: I am an effective communicator and collaborator, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.

– Problem-Solving and Analytical Thinking: I am skilled at identifying and analyzing problems, and developing creative and effective solutions. I am also able to think critically and make informed decisions.

– Adaptability and Flexibility: I am highly adaptable and flexible, with the ability to quickly adjust to changing circumstances and new environments. I am also open to new ideas and challenges.

Weaknesses:

– Delegation: I sometimes have difficulty delegating tasks to others, as I prefer to take ownership of projects and see them through to completion myself.

– Time Management: Occasionally, I struggle with time management when faced with multiple competing priorities. I sometimes overcommit myself and find it challenging to balance my workload effectively.

Improvement Plan:

– Delegation: To improve my delegation skills, I plan to actively seek opportunities to assign tasks to others and provide them with the necessary support and guidance. I will also practice trusting my team members and empowering them to take ownership of their responsibilities.

– Time Management: I intend to enhance my time management skills by creating detailed schedules and setting clear priorities. I will also break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and allocate realistic timeframes for each step. Additionally, I will practice saying “no” to new commitments when necessary and learn to prioritize my tasks effectively.


6. What attracted you to McKesson? Why are you interested in this role?

Answer:
I am attracted to McKesson because of its strong reputation as a leader in the healthcare industry, its commitment to innovation and quality, and its focus on making a positive impact on the lives of patients. I am particularly interested in this role because it aligns with my passion for healthcare and my desire to contribute to improving patient outcomes. Additionally, I believe that my skills and experience make me an ideal candidate for this position, and I am eager to learn more about the role and how I can contribute to McKesson’s continued success.


7. Do you have any questions for me about McKesson or the role?

Questions:

– What are the company’s values, and how do they guide its decision-making and operations?


– How does McKesson foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement?


– What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the company?