Shell Interview 2027: 'Tell Me About a Time You Had a Different Opinion' (How to Answer)

Choose a disagreement where you listened first, argued with evidence, and reached a workable outcome, whatever the final decision was. In Shell video interview questions this prompt is commonly reported by candidates, and assessors score how you manage the conversation, not whether you "won" the argument.

What Shell video interview questions Assess

Shell's teams are global and cross-functional, so disagreement is routine. This question tests emotional intelligence: can you hold a different view respectfully, use data rather than volume, and commit to the outcome? Candidates who describe bulldozing colleagues or silently caving both score poorly. The format may vary by role and region; check Shell's official careers page for current details.

How to Answer With STAR: shell video interview questions

• Situation. A team project or work task where you genuinely disagreed, e.g. on methodology, priorities, or design choices.
• Action. Show the behaviours: you asked questions to understand their view, presented your case with evidence, and proposed a test or compromise. Example: "I suggested we trial both approaches on a small dataset before committing."
• Result. State the outcome honestly, even if your view did not prevail, and what the team achieved. End with what you learned about handling disagreement.

The strongest answers show curiosity before advocacy.

Common Mistakes

• Picking a trivial disagreement. Arguing about lunch venues tells the assessor nothing.
• Painting the other person as unreasonable. It makes you look difficult, not principled.
• Claiming you always agree. Avoiding conflict is not a strength in collaborative work.

Keep Reading

• swire hirevue questions
• Shell Assessment Centre Case Study 2027: Format & Prep Guide
• Shell Assessment Centre Presentation 2027: How to Prepare

FAQ

What if the disagreement ended badly? Choose a different example. This question needs a constructive resolution, not a cautionary tale. If your best example comes from a part-time job rather than university, that works equally well as long as the disagreement was substantive. Should I name who I disagreed with? Describe the role, not the person. "My project lead" is fine; names are unnecessary. Interviewers also notice tone, so describe the conversation as collaborative problem-solving rather than a debate you needed to win. How do I show I was right without arrogance? Focus on the evidence and the process, not on being vindicated. Let the outcome speak.

Can the example be from university? Absolutely. Group projects are a natural source of genuine disagreements.

Preparing for Shell's interview? Our 2027 Shell Virtual Job Tryout and On-demand Interview Tutorials has practice questions and answers — $79 one-time, instant download.