15 Argumentative Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job, it’s important to be prepared for anything. That includes being ready to answer tough questions, such as those related to arguments.

Argumentative interview questions are designed to test your ability to think on your feet, defend your position, and find common ground with others. They can be challenging, but if you know how to answer them, you’ll be one step closer to getting the job you want.

In this guide, you’ll find several sample questions and responses, including argumentative interview questions and answers for managers.

1. Describe the last argument you had with your spouse.

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict. It can also show the interviewer your ability to compromise and work through disagreements. When answering this question, try to focus on the positive aspects of the argument and what you learned from it.

Example: “The last argument I had with my spouse was about our budget. We were trying to decide where we could cut back so that we could afford a vacation. After some discussion, we decided to cut out eating out for lunch every day. This saved us enough money to go on a week-long trip to Florida.”

2. Explain how to resolve a conflict when someone disagrees with you.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you resolve disagreements with others and your ability to work in a team. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved conflict or disagreement with someone else.

Example: “I find that it’s important to listen to other people’s opinions, even if I disagree with them. In my last role as an editor for a magazine, I had to edit an article about a new technology product. The writer of the article was very passionate about the product and wanted to include more information than we could fit into the publication. I explained to him that we needed to cut some of his content so he could submit it elsewhere. He disagreed with me at first, but after explaining why we couldn’t publish all of his content, he understood.”

3. What do you think of arguments? Are they beneficial or harmful? Why?

This question is a great way to assess your critical thinking skills. It also helps the interviewer understand how you view argumentation and whether or not it’s an important skill for their organization.

Example: “Arguments are beneficial because they help us learn more about our own opinions, as well as those of others. However, I think arguments can be harmful when people use them to attack one another rather than discuss ideas. In my experience, I’ve found that if both parties remain calm and respectful during an argument, it usually leads to a productive conversation.”

4. When is it appropriate to argue and when isn’t it?

This question can help the interviewer determine your understanding of when to use argumentative skills and how you apply them appropriately. Use examples from past experiences where arguing was beneficial or harmful, and explain why it was appropriate in those situations.

Example: “Arguing is only appropriate if there’s a chance for resolution. If I’m trying to convince someone that they’re wrong about something, but they have no intention of changing their mind, then it isn’t helpful to argue with them. However, if I know that my coworker has an open mind and we just disagree on a certain topic, then it’s okay to discuss our opinions and try to find common ground.”

5. Can you explain what a straw man fallacy is?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of logical fallacies. A straw man fallacy occurs when someone distorts an opponent’s argument or position in order to make it easier to attack. This can be done by oversimplifying the other person’s argument, misrepresenting their views or exaggerating their claims.

Example: “A straw man fallacy is when you distort another person’s argument or position in order to make it easier to attack. For example, if I were debating whether or not we should have stricter gun laws and my opponent said that anyone who wants more gun control must want to ban all guns, this would be a straw man fallacy because they are simplifying my argument to make it easier to attack.”

6. What’s your approach to resolving an argument that gets out of hand?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and disagreements. It’s important to show that you’re willing to compromise, but also know when it’s time to walk away from a situation.

Example: “I believe in finding common ground with the other person as quickly as possible. I try to listen carefully to what they have to say and ask questions to better understand their perspective. If I feel like we’ve reached an impasse, I’ll suggest taking a break or moving to another location so we can both calm down. Once we’ve had some time to reflect on the situation, we can return to the conversation and hopefully find a solution.”

7. When should you take someone else’s advice in an argument, even if it doesn’t align with your own opinion?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to collaborate with others and consider their opinions. Use examples from past experiences where you were able to take advice from someone else, even if it didn’t align with your own opinion.

Example: “I think it’s important to listen to other people’s perspectives when they’re offering advice or information that could be helpful in an argument. In my last internship, I was working on a project for a client who wanted us to create a social media campaign for them. My team and I had already created several ideas for the campaign, but we decided to ask our client what they thought about each idea before moving forward. They gave us feedback on each of our ideas, which helped us make changes to some of our concepts.”

8. If you are receiving feedback from customers, do you listen to their criticism patiently or get defensive? Why?

This question is a great way to determine how you react to feedback and criticism. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to learn from your mistakes and improve as an employee.

Example: “I always listen carefully to what customers have to say, even if they’re being critical of our company or products. I take notes on their concerns so I can relay them to my manager later. Then, we can discuss ways to improve our customer service or product quality. If a customer has a legitimate complaint, I will do everything in my power to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

9. Do you think there is more value in arguing for yourself or for others?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to think critically and make decisions. It also helps the interviewer understand how you view teamwork and collaboration. Your answer should show that you value both sides of this argument, but it’s important to explain why you feel this way.

Example: “I believe there is equal value in arguing for yourself and others. I find that when I argue for myself, I am able to better understand my own opinions and beliefs. When I argue for others, I can see things from their perspective and learn more about what they are thinking or feeling. Both of these skills help me be a better communicator overall.”

10. How can we deal with people who try to confuse us by making false statements?

This question can help the interviewer assess your critical thinking skills and ability to remain calm in a challenging situation. Use examples from past experiences where you had to deal with someone who was trying to confuse or mislead you, but also how you overcame those challenges.

Example: “In my last position as an editor for a magazine, I often worked with writers who would submit articles that were not thoroughly researched. When this happened, I would meet with the writer to discuss their article and offer suggestions on how they could improve it. If the writer still refused to make changes, I would have to reject the article and find another writer to complete it.”

11. What does “argument” mean to you? How do you define it?

This question is a great way to assess your understanding of the concept and how you apply it in your daily life. Your answer should show that you know what an argument is, but also that you can use it effectively when needed.

Example: “Argument means a disagreement between two or more people about something important. It’s a verbal dispute where each person tries to convince others of their point of view. I think this definition is very accurate because arguments are usually based on facts and logic. They’re not emotional outbursts, which makes them useful tools for solving problems.”

12. Have you ever tried to reason with someone who refused to see logic? How did it go?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict. It can also show the interviewer your ability to reason with others and use logic to solve problems.

Example: “Yes, I have had this experience before. In my last job, we were working on a project that required us to work with another department. The other team was very stubborn about their ideas and refused to listen to ours. We tried reasoning with them, but they wouldn’t budge. Eventually, we decided to take our concerns to our manager. They listened to both sides of the story and helped us come up with a compromise.”

13. Is it possible to be logical about emotional matters? Why or why not?

This question is a great way to show your ability to think critically and apply logic to emotional situations. It also shows that you can understand the importance of both sides of an argument.

Example: “Yes, it’s possible to be logical about emotional matters because emotions are often based on facts or experiences. For example, if someone feels sad because they lost their job, there may be some factual basis for this feeling. They may have been laid off from their job without warning, which could lead to feelings of sadness. However, these feelings would likely be temporary as they search for new employment.”

14. What strategies have you used to win an argument?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach a disagreement and what methods you use to resolve it. Your answer should show that you are willing to compromise, but also know when to stand your ground.

Example: “I try to avoid arguments whenever possible because I find they’re often more productive when both parties have time to think about their opinions. However, if an argument does occur, I try to listen carefully to my opponent’s point of view before presenting mine. This helps me better understand where they’re coming from and allows them to feel heard. If I still disagree with them after listening, I will explain why in as calm and rational way as possible.”

15. Do you think arguing is a sign of weakness or strength? Why?

This question is a great way to see how you view the process of arguing and whether or not you think it’s important. It can also show your interviewer what kind of person you are, as well as how you feel about conflict in general. Your answer should be honest and thoughtful, showing that you understand both sides of the argument.

Example: “I believe arguing is a sign of strength because it shows you’re willing to stand up for yourself and your ideas. However, I also think there’s a difference between being able to argue effectively and simply wanting to win an argument at any cost. In my experience, people who are more interested in winning than finding a solution tend to use tactics like ad hominem attacks and straw man arguments. These kinds of behaviors make it difficult to have productive conversations.”