“Tell me about a time you made a mistake” question while interviewing for a new job. With a little advanced preparation, your response can actually work in your favor. (The thing you don’t want to do is wing it.) So what’s the best way to answer this question?
Why employers ask the question
They want to know how you approach challenges, what you learned from the experience, and how you constructively applied that knowledge to other situations
- In addition to gleaning a sense of your weaknesses, they’re trying to assess your problem-solving skills and potential for growth
Employers want to see integrity, honesty, ability to take ownership of mistakes, and how you solve problems to achieve positive results
Don’t show that you’ve never made a mistake
- Show that you have the ability to step back, delegate, and let your team members do their jobs
How to answer
Pick a specific example of a true work experience
- Make sure the mistake was minor
- Keep it brief, but be prepared to provide more details
- Take fully responsibility for your mistake
- Describe how you solved it, and a positive result
- Emphasize what you learned
Thing to avoid:
Do not discuss mistakes that reveal moral failings or character flaws (such as lying or fighting)
- Don’t pass blame onto others Don’t pick a mistake you were not able to fix Don’t make jokes or disparage your former employer
- Use the STAR Technique: Situation, Task, Action, Result
