What has been your greatest adversity, and how did you overcome it?
ExperienceResilience
Purpose
This question helps interviewers see how you handle tough situations. They want to know if you rise to the occasion, what strategies you use, and what you learn from these 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 about you.
- Don't blame others or avoid taking responsibility.
- Steer clear of vague answers 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.