Something like, "As you can see from my past work with XYZ Company, I have always worked well with the diverse (?) clientele and employees. I trust your judgment in hiring someone who is both the best fit for the position and someone who will work well with current employees. Therefor, I anticipate no problems working with who/whomever is hired for the position."

How is that?

My response would be that it is a difficult question to answer because I know nothing about that person, however I would be able to conduct myself in a professional manner with anyone I work with.

Good luck, and I hope you are awarded that position!

I just saw a segment on CNN or some such show, and this was the topic - they stated that the most important thing is to tell them what you can do for THEIR organization - what can you bring to the table that would further their cause.

How many forums did you post this on?

This just happened to me; although I was the outsider who was hired. My predecessor transferred to another position in the organization and seems to have basically dumped a large amount of work on the next in line assuming that he would be hired for the job. Although he has many talents, knows the organization and would have been a good choice, I can see what I bring to the job. He has gone out of his way to help me and to move the organization forward. A few weeks in, we had a talk and I told him I knew he had applied for the job. I promised to help him develop skills to be ready for the next job opening. I think we have worked very well together and he has again applied for a promotion. I have made it a point to tell my boss what a great job the other person is doing. This is the long way to say, express your commitment to the good of the organization. Things work out as they are supposed to work out (I say this as a person who was not selected for a job a few months prior to being hired for my current job - I am in a much better place with this job).

Good luck!

Kris-Not being rude, but what difference does it make how many forums the OP posted on?

Cheekybones, you sound like a class act as does your co-worker. Congratulations on your current position.

Sipsy, I have no advice since you've gotten some really good advice. Good luck to you.

If you are asked that question, give it a qualified yes. Something to the effect that you could support a boss from outside if he/she was better qualified and informed than you.

If you really want the job, speak up and say so. State that you'd like to have the position and you will add value for the company. Then give statements why you are a good fit for the position. Remind HR of any outstanindg accomplishments over the past year. Point out that you have been doing the job already and have a proven track record.

You need to answer the question before you ask how to answer it! Will you be able to work with the person who does? If not, they'll probably know it or see through any answer you give if they're good at their job. If you can work with them, then what's the question?

I have to disagree with most of the answers given so far. To give a long and obviously canned answer not unlike a politician being asked how they feel about raising taxes on grandmother's cookies, is not often a good thing to do when you want to gain credibility. The trick to interviewing is to give the canned answer without it being seen as clearly canned but also try to be honest with them. People lie in interviews all the time, just as they lie on applications all the time. And to give any type of qualifier such as if they're more qualified than me would likely hurt you in the long run. And I don't mean just in this interview, but also on your future with the company. You're telling them you will not work with someone you feel is not more qualified than you says you're not an employee that most employers would want. Employers do *not* like rebels. The I don't know the person is also a bad answer (IMO) since you're effectively telling the interviewer you won't work with someone you don't know. Would you hire (or promote) someone who took those positions? I wouldn't. Not only would I not promote or hire that person but I'd be cautious about their situation there. It's not always what you say but how you say it, they like to say but it's also what you don't say too.

What is your answer to the question? That's the first thing you have to decide and then go from there. Could you work with someone else? If so, then often the short answer can be the best. The question you pose is a yes or no question. You might practice your reaction in front of a mirror pulling your head back, near snorting/chuckling and your timing on saying something like, "Of course!" or "I see no reason why not!" Again, much depends on your phrasing, local terms and such but you get the point.

Many places now record interviews and/or jot down everything said. It's used for a variety of reasons. They'll see quite easily if you're answering honestly and openly or looking to give them the answer they want to hear. Much depends on the talent and competency of the interviewer.

Although the short answer is what I'd go for on the hypothetical question you proposed, I would also rehearse and prepare for the open mic time, where they ask if you have anything to say or why they should hire you. Then you can go with the canned stuff on how long you've worked there, work well with people, loyal, etc, tempered with your own vernacular. Talk about how you feel you're exceptionally well-qualified but should they choose someone else you'll support them and the company as you have in the past, etc. Far better than telling them you'll only work with someone under certain conditions. Keep in mind that there's often personnel changes when a new boss comes in. They know that too. And yes, I've experienced this as both a boss and as an employee, and for that matter as a co-worker/same level as well.

Frankly, I'd be very surprised if that question is actually asked, at least in that form. Most places now use structured interviewing where they ask open-ended questions to get you talking and avoid using many yes/no questions, especially for what seems to be the intent of this question. They might ask what would you do if you were not chosen for the position or some other variation rather than a yes/no. However sometimes questions can be asked yes/no to see if you can answer yes or no without going on with a 10 minute dissertation too.

JM2¢W Good luck.