Can you tell me about a time when you were disappointed with your performance?
ExperienceResilience
Purpose
This question is all about self-awareness and growth. They want to see if you can recognize your own shortcomings and take steps to improve. It's like asking about a weakness but in a more personal way.
Tips
- Pick a real example where you didn't meet your own standards. It could be academic, clinical, or even extracurricular.
- Explain why it was disappointing and what you learned from it.
- Show how you took responsibility and what actions you took to improve.
- Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lessons Learned.
Common mistakes
- Saying you've never been disappointed in yourself. Everyone has those moments!
- Blaming others or external circumstances for your disappointment.
- Ending on a negative note without showing any growth or resolution.
Background
Use STAR-L to structure responses to questions about your experiences: -Situation: Briefly set the scene - where/when and what was going on? -Task: What was your specific role or challenge in that situation? -Action: What you did - focus on your steps, decisions, and contributions. -Result: Share the outcome - ideally positive or meaningful. -Lessons Learned: Reflect on what you took away and how you’ve grown.