Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge in your life.

ExperienceResilienceCore

Purpose

This question helps interviewers see how you handle tough situations and what you learn from them. They want to know if you can rise to the occasion and grow from your experiences.

Tips

  • Pick a meaningful challenge that shows personal growth or a positive outcome.
  • Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lessons Learned.
  • Reflect on what you learned and how it made you stronger.

Common mistakes

  • Avoid picking a trivial challenge that doesn't show much growth.
  • Don't blame others or avoid taking responsibility.
  • Steer clear of vague endings without a clear resolution or lesson learned.

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.