Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult boss or teacher.

You Should Say:

1. Why you think the teacher was difficult to deal with?
2. When you dealt with the boss or teacher?
3. Why you dealt with him/her?
4. Where you dealt with him/her?

Band 9 Answer

I remember a time when I had to deal with a particularly challenging teacher during my university studies. This professor was known for being strict and demanding, and it was difficult to earn his approval.

One specific instance that comes to mind is when I received a low grade on a research paper that I had spent a considerable amount of time on. I felt frustrated and discouraged, as I had put a lot of effort into the assignment.

To address the situation, I scheduled a meeting with the professor to discuss my grade and the feedback that he had provided. During the meeting, I asked for clarification on certain points and requested guidance on how to improve my work in the future.

Despite feeling nervous, I approached the conversation with an open mind and a willingness to learn from the experience. This seemed to resonate with the professor, who offered constructive criticism and even commended me for seeking out additional help.

Although it was challenging to deal with this difficult teacher at times, I learned the importance of communication and the value of approaching difficult situations with a positive attitude. This experience helped me develop resilience and the ability to handle challenging situations with confidence.

Overall, while it was a tough experience to go through, I feel grateful for the opportunity to learn from this difficult teacher and to come out of the experience as a stronger student and individual.

Follow Up Questions:

1. How did you handle the difficult situation with your boss or teacher? What strategies did you use to manage the relationship?
2. What did you learn from the experience of dealing with a difficult boss or teacher? Did it change your perspective on how to handle difficult situations in the future?
3. Can you provide an example of a time when you had to compromise with your difficult boss or teacher to reach a mutually beneficial outcome?
4. In hindsight, what would you have done differently when dealing with a difficult boss or teacher, if anything?