Tricky job interview question stumps adults - but there's a great way to answer

03 September 2023 , 17:31

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There is a process in which you should best answer it (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Job interviews can be stressful, especially when they ask a question you didn't prepare for. There is one question that regularly stumps interviewees but finding an answer doesn't have to be difficult. Interviewers often want to see how you have dealt with adversity and obstacles. This is because they want to know whether you're able to learn from mistakes. It's also a great way for them to see how resilient you are - and whether this translates to the role you're applying for.

This is why it isn't uncommon for them to ask people "What has been your biggest failure to date and what did you learn from it?" There can be other variations of this question too, such as "Tell us about a mistake you've made" and "how do you deal with setbacks?". Adults often find these kinds of questions difficult to answer, resulting in them not answering them as well as they could.

According to Target Jobs, the reason these questions are included is because they're helpful in determining your capacity for problem-solving and your level of self-awareness. Interviewers also understand that no one is perfect. This means you should never answer it by saying something along the lines of "I have never failed at anything." These are the best ways to answer questions about failures and mistakes successfully.

Explain your personal growth instead of focusing on what went wrong. Describe what happened, highlight the lessons you learned, and describe what you are doing differently going forward. Make it clear to them what it is you did to ensure you won't make the same error in the future. Don't try and blame someone else for your mistakes, as this is an incredibly bad look. Instead of trying to justify your behaviour or actions, demonstrate that you are aware of your flaws in that particular situation and concentrate on what you have done to mitigate or improve them since.

Once you acknowledge what you could have done better, use it as a springboard to talk about your success. You can move on to discussing how the lessons you took away from it helped you succeed more in subsequent endeavours. and then discuss that. Avoid being negative or defensive and never make excuses for your mistakes. Humble bragging won't get you anywhere either, as recruiters will see through your actions right away.

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Billie Schwab Dunn