Welcome back to What Do I Say to That?! – our series where we break down tough interview questions and help you figure out how to answer without sounding like a robot.
Today, we’re taking the tricky question “Can you give me an example of a time you had to defend a decision?”
Probably a less common interview question but one that comes up from time to time none-the-less, and it’s still good to know how to answer it when it does rear its dreaded head.
It’s the kind of question that pops up in interviews and immediately you can feel your brain going blank. Either you’re thinking “I suddenly can’t remember defending anything in my life” or “every day at work is just me defending myself to everyone, where do I start and how do I make it sound professional without this interview turning into a yap session…”
What are they ACTUALLY asking?
First, let's decode the question and find out what the interviewer really wants to know:
Can you take ownership of your decisions?
Are you able to think critically and stick to your guns (without being a nightmare)?
How do you handle pushback, pressure or conflict in the workplace?
Basically, they want to see if you’ve got a backbone and the emotional intelligence to know when (and how) to use it.
How Should You Respond?
This is one of those questions that’s perfect for our good friend, the “STAR” technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result – you can learn more about it by clicking here), but for now, let’s go BEYOND that. You want to tell a story that shows:
The decision you made (bonus points if it wasn’t the popular one)
Why you made it (show your thinking – we’re making this sound like an exam question now but there’s a reason that they made you do this in school, it’s important)
Who questioned or challenged it (boss? client? team?)
How you stood your ground (professionally, of course)
What the outcome was (hopefully not chaos)
For example (Don’t copy this, you need to think of your own, but use this as a guide)
“In a previous role, I led a small project team working on a new feature for our software product. I made the decision to delay launch by a week after we spotted a critical usability flaw in testing. The marketing team weren’t thrilled – they’d already lined up the campaign, and there was pressure from leadership to meet the original deadline. I pulled together a short report showing the risk to customer satisfaction and support costs if we went ahead without fixing the issue. I stood by the delay, and it paid off – not only did we release a better product, but we had fewer support tickets post-launch and even got positive feedback from users. It was uncomfortable to push back at the time, but I knew the long-term value was worth it.”
Why it works:
It’s a real, specific example
It shows leadership, ownership and communication
It acknowledges pressure without sounding defensive
There’s a clear outcome
It shows that you have the company’s and user’s best interests at the forefront of your mind
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Don’t Fall into These Traps
The cop-out answer: “I can’t really think of a time.” (Not good enough. Find one.)
The martyr answer: “Everyone was against me, but I fought them all and I was right.” (You’ll come across arrogant.)
The vague answer: “I made a decision once and someone didn’t like it.” (Umm, okay?)
Nobody likes being challenged – especially in the workplace – but being able to explain why you made a call and how you handled pushback is a sign of maturity, confidence, and professionalism. And that’s exactly what interviewers are looking for.
So, next time someone hits you with “Can you give me an example of a time when you had to defend a decision?” don’t panic. Think about a time you made a smart call, explain it clearly, and show that you’re not afraid to take a stand when it counts.
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How VANRATH Can Help
At VANRATH, we know interviews can feel like a minefield of tricky questions designed to throw you off track. That’s why we don’t just send you into the room unprepared – our consultants take the time to walk you through what to expect, help you refine your answers, and give you the confidence to handle whatever curveball comes your way.
Whether you’re looking for your next big career move or just want some honest advice on how to handle interviews, our team is here to back you up. Get in touch today, and let’s make sure you walk into your next interview ready to impress.