Choose a specific failure Look for a story where something didn't go as planned. Choosing the right story is important, as you want to explain a situation where only one thing went wrong. This will help keep the story brief and make it easy to articulate what you learned and what you can do differently next time.
Spend more time explaining what you have learned about yourself than the experience: Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, identify the reasons behind the incident and emphasise what you have learned and what you now do differently. Explain the actions you took to ensure that you wouldn't achieve the same mistake.
Choose a miscalculation, not a mistake.
Everyone makes mistakes, but in a job interview, a simple mistake may be perceived as a personal flaw — which can damage your reputation. Ultimately, the most productive learning comes not from a mistake but from a miscalculation. When did something not go as planned?
Present your challenge in a positive light
Instead, consider highlighting situations that showed you in a heroic light or that showed you effectively working as part of a team. After all, it's important for your anecdotes to show your strengths rather than your weaknesses as an employee.
Tips for Answering the Question
Be specific about the challenge you faced and the impact it had on your work. Describe your thought process and the actions you took to overcome the challenge. Highlight the outcome and the positive impact it had on the company or team. Emphasize what you learned from the experience.
Here are some common mistakes that happen at work that might help you think of the right example to share in an interview: Misunderstanding instructions from a coworker, leading to a mistake. Missing a deadline. Losing a customer/client as a sales representative.
Choose a professional regret
“They want to know about a regret that will shape your ability to do the job at hand.” You say: “A few years ago, I turned down a great job at XYZ Corporation that could have given me the experience I needed to move my career forward faster.”
Failure is defined as a lack of success or the inability to meet an expectation.
Tell your story.
Interviewers don't ask this question to see you squirm, they want to know how you handle setbacks—so get to the part where you're dealing with the failure as quickly as possible. Start with the situation, and explain why it was challenging. Then go into what you specifically did to try and rectify it.
Here are some common examples of failures: Receiving poor or failing test grades. Not getting accepted into a degree or certification program. Interviewing for a position but not securing a job offer. Getting a bad performance review.
Example Answers to “Tell Me a Time When You Failed”
“I was managing a project for one of our biggest clients in my previous company, and I was so eager to please them that I told them we could finish the project within 2 weeks. I thought this was doable, but it ended up taking three weeks and they were not happy.
Share the situation, but ensure you don't ramble. You also want to avoid negativity. Even though you're talking about a failure, try to focus on the positive outcome of the situation. For instance, if you lost an important client, emphasize how you used the experience to improve your sales techniques.
Answer for “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” “In five years, I see myself as an integral part of the company who has helped contribute to the growth and success of the organization. I would like to continue developing my skills and knowledge in order to be able to take on more responsibility within the company.
Here is a list of “biggest regrets” many people have: being less assertive, breaking up, carelessly choosing one's life partner, choosing work over family, comparing oneself with others, dreaming more than acting on things, engrossing in anger, giving high importance to possessions, lacking self-confidence, lingering ...
“I should be hired for this role because of my relevant skills, experience, and passion for the industry. I've researched the company and can add value to its growth. My positive attitude, work ethics, and long-term goals align with the job requirements, making me a committed and valuable asset to the company.”
I was responsible for interacting with big clients and understanding the requirements. Being a fresher, I did not pay much attention to the details of the project. Instead, I focused only on my ethics and discipline. My poor listening skills led me to lose one of the most significant projects of the organization.
A good response to a question about your past mistakes should go something like this: One time my boss came up to me and asked why he wasn't receiving emails from certain clients. At first, I explained to him that I didn't know and that I hadn't heard from the clients either.
Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and give yourself a break if you feel stressed out. Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.