Questions that many recruiters and hiring managers ask is "Describe a challenge you overcame," and "Provide examples overcoming obstacles at work."
Part of our ongoing series to help you answer common behavioral interview questions. Perhaps you went over and above to meet a tight deadline while taking over the responsibilities of a co-worker who was out sick. This question is usually asked so that the recruiter can learn how you handle stress and see what you deem as a challenge. You should think of a professional challenge that you have faced and what you did to overcome it. If you discuss a situation that the employer does not think is a difficult one, you will come across as a risky candidate. Always have an example in mind that will give you an opportunity to tell your interviewer about your skills in handling problems. (So, for instance, if you used to feel stressed out before presentations, talk about how you solved the problem by taking a public speaking course and creating a schedule that allowed you to prepare ahead of time.) Some examples include: Maybe you sat quietly at your desk while people bickered around you. Make sure that you discuss a situation that resulted in a happy, positive ending.
Give an example of a time you had to respond to an unhappy customer or coworker.
If you were facing a challenge because of a mistake or because you dropped a ball, that’s not the one to highlight here. If you discuss a situation that the employer does not think is a difficult one, you will come across as a risky candidate. The best approach a job candidate can use for responding to such questions is to use the STAR method, which means you are describing a Situation, Task, Action and Results. What is the main challenge you have faced and how you overcame to? It looks like you've lost connection to our server. The question, "How do you (or did you) handle a challenge?” can be a tricky one.On one hand, it’s an opportunity for you to communicate your problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, along with your aptitude for succeeding under stress.
Make sure that you discuss a situation that resulted in a happy, positive ending.
Whether you pushed yourself to run a six-minute mile or write 50,000 words for National Novel Writing Month, this can serve as a good response to the challenge-you-overcame question. Another example could be that you trained yourself on a new software that was difficult to understand. Or maybe you were the instigator who caused the conflict at work after all.