If you regret turning down that great job opportunity, tell the interviewer how you overcame the mistake in the long run. You say: “Rather than feeling sorry for myself because I turned down the XYZ job, I started looking for other opportunities that I knew could lead me to great—possibly better—learning experiences.”
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 ...
Pick a real failure that happened in the workplace, specifically a failure related to the work you're doing now. 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.
Examples of defensive responses where the spin only draws more attention to the failure: “It didn't set us back that much, but many people overreacted.” “I was right all along — they just didn't see it.” “My mistake was actually beneficial in the long run because…”
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.
Saying that war is irrational may be a big mistake. But to discard entirely would be a big mistake. I try to allow most people one big mistake. Perhaps this is all a great big mistake on our part.
I deeply regret what I said. She does not regret leaving him. He regrets not traveling more when he was younger. He says he doesn't regret anything that he's done in his life.
Examples of deep regret
I expressed my deep regret, of course, that this should have been so. I am sure that the cause of his absence is a matter on which we all feel very deep regret. I can only express, once again, my deep regret that that was not carried through.
The most common regrets you have probably read about are: missed opportunities, not spending time more prudently, accomplishing more, not doing meaningful work, procrastinating, not forming better habits, not mastering another language or skill, getting into bad relationships, or making mistakes in a past relationship.
Thank you for getting back to me about your hiring decision. While I'm disappointed to hear that I was not selected for the [Job Title] position, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to interview for the job and meet some of the members of your team.
A meta-analysis of 11 regret ranking studies revealed that the top six biggest regrets in life center on (in descending order) education, career, romance, parenting, the self, and leisure.
ACTION: When I started work on the task, I soon realised it was going to take me much longer than I'd anticipated. I'd made a mistake in estimating how long the task would take to complete. Because of my mistake, I had to stay behind late after work each evening and commit the extra hours to get the job finished.
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.
How to answer What are your greatest weaknesses? Choose a weakness that will not prevent you from succeeding in the role. Be honest and choose a real weakness. Provide an example of how you've worked to improve upon your weakness or learn a new skill to combat the issue.
Remember to keep eye contact and make an active effort to listen. Not listening could lead to you misunderstanding the question and giving a poor answer. Don't let yourself zone out during an interview. Your potential employer will question your ability to remain focused during a day on the job.
Not showing passion or interest in the role
The best way to leave the most negative first impression with a potential employer is to not show enthusiasm for being there – 20% of people surveyed rated it as their number-one.
Albert Einstein had the label "mentally slow" put on his permanent school record. Henry Ford's first two automobile companies failed. Oprah Winfrey was fired from an early job as a television news anchor. Jerry Seinfeld was booed off stage in his first stand-up comedy appearance.
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.