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Interviews. Part 3
What is the greatest challenge you have faced?
What is the greatest challenge you have faced?

1. Look at the quotes. Do you agree with them? Would the answer remain the same both in your private and professional life?

1. Look at the quotes. Do you agree with them?...

2. Take the quiz. Do you have a can-do attitude?

2. Take the quiz. Do you have a can-do attitude?

3. Look at the question below. Why can it be asked in a job interview? What should you consider when answering it?

3. Look at the question below. Why can it be...

4. Look through the tips given. Think how you could use each of them. Are there any you would prefer not to follow?

4. Look through the tips given. Think how you could...

1. Consider previous challenges you've faced

To answer this question effectively, consider any work-related situations that presented challenges in your previous roles. This can include any time you faced a struggle or found a solution for a particular problem. While it's important for the anecdote you provide to highlight your problem-solving skills, you can also show your analytical skills if there was ever a time you found a problem that no one else did.

2. Tailor your answer to the job description

Make sure the answer you provide aligns with the duties of the job you're interviewing for. For example, if you're applying for a customer-facing job, consider previous instances where you handled a difficult customer with ease. To tailor your answer to the job description, take the time to review the job posting or job description prior to the interview. Then, determine similar issues you've overcome in your current or previous positions that relate to the job you're interviewing for.

3. Be specific about why they were challenges

When you start your answer, identify what made it such a big challenge for you. Make sure the answer you provide shows your problem-solving process. Give them as much context as you can so they get a clear idea of how you handle these types of situations. It's also important to let the interviewer know what you learned from the experience and how you can apply it to the role at their company.

4. Be honest

Instead of making it look like you've had an easy career, be honest with the interviewer regarding your previous challenges. Doing this shows you're taking the question seriously and that you have nothing to hide when it comes to your previous struggles.

5. Make sure your answers present you in a positive light

Be careful about the examples and anecdotes you provide in your answer. For example, if you faced a challenge that you caused, avoid mentioning it during your interview. 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.

6. Use nonprofessional examples if necessary

 

If you don't have much work experience and therefore no work-related challenges to speak about, use an example from your education, volunteer work or any sports activities you were a part of. If you do this, make sure to tie your previous actions to your professional life and the job description of the job you're applying for.

1. Consider previous challenges you've faced To answer this question...

5. Continue the following sentences with your own ideas.

5. Continue the following sentences with your own ideas.
  1. When facing a challenging situation, I always focus on…
  2. In my work, I seek to…
  3. Challenges give me an opportunity to…
  4. My primary goal as a professional is to…
  5. Though the prospect seemed to be completely daunting, I have managed to/been able to/succeeded in…
  6. The main lesson I have drawn from the experience is…
  7. Realizing that there was no easy solution to the problem, I...
When facing a challenging situation, I always focus on… In...

6. Look at the following sample answers. Discuss the questions.

  1. Which jobs could the interviewees apply for?
  2. Is the example well-chosen?
  3. Does the applicant provide enough explanations? Are there cases where you consider the explanation to be excessive?

 

6. Look at the following sample answers. Discuss the questions....

 

7. Draft your answer to the question. Ensure that:

  1. your example is specific and relevant to the job
  2. your example demonstrates your problem-solving skills
  3. your answer is concise
  7. Draft your answer to the question. Ensure that:...