Challenges will come. At work, in your private life, in the world. But can you deal with them, instead of panicking or running away? Hiring managers try to understand your attitude towards challenges, how you approach them, and how they impact you at work. They know first hand how challenging the life can be in any corporation, and they have to find out whether you can handle it on a daily basis. If you cannot, there’s no point in hiring you. Some of the common questions here include “Tell us about an obstacle you overcame”, or “What’s the most challenging situation you faced at work.” I will analyze these questions right now, and show you some great sample answers.
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The Basics
- Most common interview questions belonging to this area: Tell us about an obstacle you overcame. What’s the most challenging situation you’ve faced at work?
- Less common questions belonging to the area: What challenges do you think you will face in this role? What makes you uncomfortable at work? Describe a time when you found yourself outside of your comfort zone. Give an example of a time when you handled a major crisis.
- Out of 10 random jobs, in how many cases will this area be tested during the hiring process: 8/10. Regardless of whether you apply for a senior corporate role, for a position in a public sector, or for some simple job in retail, you will always face challenges at work. They will differ in nature and scope, but what’s not challenging for someone with twenty years of working experience can look like a mammoth obstacle for someone just starting in the field. Hiring managers are aware of it and they will test your ability to deal with challenges in most interviews.
- Difficulty: 3/5. An average difficulty. Life is challenging in general, which makes the questions from this area easier. Regardless of your age and background, you have certainly faced some challenges in your life, and hence have something to talk about in the interviews. However, many job applicants make mistakes when talking about obstacles and challenges, and that’s why I decided to give this difficulty score of 3 instead of 2. Anyway, I will explain the mistakes and also show you (on sample answers) what you should focus on while talking about challenges.
- Main goals of the hiring managers with questions belonging to this area: Trying to assess how you deal with challenges, and how they impact you at work. Understanding your general attitude to work, and what kind of situations you already consider challenging to deal with.
- Your main goals with answers to questions belonging to this area: Convincing the hiring managers that you have your way of dealing with challenges, and can overcome them. Demonstrating that obstacles do not have devastating or paralyzing effect on you at work. Showing desire to get better in what you do and to constantly expand your comfort zone in this or that field of work.
7 sample answers
Sample answer no. 1: Talking about overcoming a personal challenge in childhood:
I was super introverted as a child and teen, which was a result of some traumatic experiences I had in my early childhood. It had a profound impact on both my relationships and my professional career. I would just sit and listen in the meeting, often answering questions with silence, my eyes downcast. But I eventually found a courage to work with a psychologist, and to undergo a therapy. As I result I overcame my mental block, started to trust people again, and even started a relationship. It wasn’t an easy process, but I did not give up, and here I am: living quite a normal life now, and interviewing for a great job with you.
- Quick thing to notice about this one: Examples of obstacles you had to overcome in your personal life are just as good for an interview (and sometimes even better) than examples from work. Opening up about a difficult period in your life can also help you connect with the interviewers on a more personal level (perhaps they experienced something similar). If you opt for a similar answer however, it is crucial to explain that you already got over your childhood demons and that they won’t haunt you at work.
Sample answer no. 2: Applicant talking about a challenge to get to a college of their choice:
My biggest obstacle was to get to vet school. I didn’t have best grades, because when I was younger I didn’t understand the importance they’d have on my future studies and career, and I wasn’t responsible enough to excel in school. I failed to get to a vet school two years in a row. Many people would give up and try something else, but I decided to follow my dream, though I knew I had to overcome significant odds. While waiting for another chance, I tried to get experience from veterinary practices and zoos, because I believed it would help with my application. This eventually turned out to be true. I got to vet school, earned my degree, and now I apply for a job with you.
- Quick thing to notice here: The candidate shows great persistence with this example, that they do not give up easily. They also clearly explain what they did to overcome the challenge (“… I tried to get experience from veterinary practices and zoos…”), and nicely connect the challenge with the job they are trying to get. A nice answer overall.
Sample answer no. 3: Applicant talking about their attitude to challenges in general:
I do not like the word obstacle. In my opinion, most limitations and obstacles are self-imposed. One can reach as much as they imagine. It’s just about having ambition and dreaming big, regardless of what the others are saying. Sure, everyone is not born into a good family, having resources to study and to pursue their dreams. But even if you are lucky, just as I was, you still have to overcome your laziness, step out of your comfort zone, and stick with one thing long enough to succeed. That’s what I’ve been trying to do up to this point.
- Quick thing to notice here: An interesting answer and attitude towards challenges. But the answer has a couple of problems. First of all, the applicant does not talk about any challenge in particular (and what they did to overcome it). Secondly, the answer reveals a lot about the person in general: they are more of a dreamer, entrepreneur by nature. Hearing such an answer, an interviewer will likely get an impression that the applicant isn’t really a good fit for any employment. They may simply screen them out once they get this impression…
Sample answer no.4: Talking about health issues:
My health was my biggest obstacle. I had bowel issues all my adolescent life, and also problems with food allergy and intolerance, and some related health issues. But I was brave enough to try different diets, though I faced an opposition form my family and also the doctors weren’t supportive of such drastic changes. Eventually I found out that vegan diet, based primarily on cooked vegetables and legumes, works best for me. I got rid of almost all health issues, and can finally function normally in my daily life. I can tell you it was super hard to switch to this diet, since I was addicted to sugar, coffee, and other things, but I wanted a better health so badly that I was unstoppable in pursuing it, and ready to overcome any obstacles on my way.
- Quick thing to notice about this one: Almost everyone faces some health issues nowadays, so it is definitely a good field to talk about in the fitting moments of job interviews. The candidate also clearly explains the challenges they faced in the process (“…it was super hard to switch to this diet, since I was addicted to sugar, coffee, and other things…”), and a strong determination to overcome them (“…I wanted a better health so badly that I was unstoppable in pursuing it…”). A good answer overall. They could improve it by adding that they hope to maintain the same attitude and determination when facing challenges at work.
Sample answer no. 5: Talking about overcoming obstacle in a corporate job in programming:
I remember a good situation from my last job. We tried to develop an innovative mobile app, with a goal to help with screening for certain common diseases. But the project was very innovative, I didn’t have full support from the management, and they didn’t allocate sufficient budget for the project. Well, I could have just given up and moved on. But I didn’t do that. I pleaded with them, presented more and more arguments, because I knew that if we succeeded, we could have built the next big thing. Eventually I managed to convince the managers, and they extended the budget. We eventually didn’t succeed with our goal–the app wasn’t accurate enough to break into mainstream use. But I am still glad that I tried and eventually overcame an obstacle.
- Quick thing to notice here: Convincing someone at work (be it your manager or subordinate or client) is definitely a good challenge to talk about in an interview. To make this answer even better, however, I would add more details. For example what arguments they exactly used, what the budget was, who had the final word, etc.
Sample answer no. 6: Talking about a challenging sales job:
My last position in sales was incredibly demanding. It involved a lot of traveling, client meetings, constant phone calls, and high expectations from the management. Many people didn’t last long in that place due to the pressure. However, in sales, those who push through the tough times are rewarded at the end, and I was determined to succeed. I gave it my all, worked longer hours, and went the extra mile. It was exhausting both physically and mentally, but I managed to overcome the challenges and earned over $100,000 in sales commissions in a single year. I appreciated the experience, but I’ve reached a point where I’m seeking a better balance between work and life, which is why I’m exploring new opportunities like this one.
- Quick thing to notice here: Workload is heavy almost everywhere nowadays, and talking about overcoming it is definitely a great idea. Notice how the applicant declares that they do not mind going above and beyond for their employer (“…gave it my all, worked longer hours, and went the extra mile..”). Then there is an interesting spin to the answer: they explain that they eventually had to quit, seeking better life-work balance. And they connect this spin nicely with the new job they are trying to get. A good answer overall.
Sample answer no. 7: Talking about obstacles we carry within:
I carried the biggest obstacles within. My complexes and my prejudice helped me to open up to the world, to have some impact, and most importantly to live freely and happily. Just recently I learned the most important skill in life–if we can call it a skill–to live in a present moment. Giving my full attention to the activity I am doing–be it teaching, cooking, playing, anything, I am not anymore imprisoned by those thoughts … what other think about me, whether I am a success or a failure, etc. Now I understand that such questions aren’t important at all. Overcoming this obstacle was the most important thing in my life.
- Quick thing to notice here: While the words of the applicant are 100% true, and a good lesson to learn for anyone, it is a risky interview answer. Some interviewers may love it, while others may not understand it at all, or simply expect you to talk about a specific challenge, instead of giving them a lesson in a philosophy of life.
Advanced information
Mistakes people make while answering questions about challenges in the job interview:
- Downplaying the issue. You can see this mistake even in a couple of sample answers I published here. Many people think that playing superheroes is a way to go in an interview. Challenge? What challenge? With my attitude there aren’t any challenges, just small issues that I handle easily with my extraordinary skills. Or something along those lines. This is a big mistake though. Hiring managers and interviewers know by experience that challenges aren’t easy for anyone–regardless of their level of experience and the strength of their will. Don’t downplay the issue. Share a challenge you faced and admit that you struggled while facing it.
- Lack of details. Job candidates make this mistake with many behavioral questions, but with this one in particular. They speak vaguely about challenges. For example “it was really hard in my last job“, or “I struggled to find my place in the team“. In order to understand the situation and how you coped with it, we need to hear more details. What’s more, details help with credibility and make it easier for us to believe you. Keep it on your mind when preparing your answer to this one.
- Focusing too much on others instead of yourself while describing the obstacles you faced. This one isn’t as common as the previous two, but I still want to mention it. When we inquire about obstacles you overcame, we are mostly interested in your story in the situation. What the obstacle was, how you felt, how you approached the situation, steps you took, and of course also the eventual result you achieved (overcoming the obstacle or not). And while some context matters for us, you should not spend minutes explaining the mistakes your colleagues made, or that someone else has put you into the situation in question. The key is to take responsibility for what happens to you at work, instead of looking for someone else to blame…
Few points from the perspective of the hiring managers/interviewers
- We definitely consider this question one of the most important in the interview. In some cases, we may spend ten minutes asking about various challenges you faced at work, and how you dealt with them. And then we observe your reactions. Because it is much easier to act correctly, and to simply do the right thing (in terms of your duties, colleagues, life) when things go well, than it is when things go badly, and when you struggle with something. Keep on your mind that we do not observe only your words, but also your emotions. Regardless of how hard the situation is, try to narrate it without unnecessary emotions.
7 keywords to remember when answering questions belonging to this area
- Tell us a story, focus on your part in the story, don’t blame others for the challenging situation you talk about, don’t downplay how challenges may affect you, we observe your emotions as much as we do observe your words, persistence and determination, examples from personal life are excellent here.
So that’s it! You’ve just covered area no. 22 out of 25 areas that cover 99% of questions you may ever get in the interviews. Just 3 areas left! Check the next one: Adapting to change, or go back to homepage for the full list of 25 areas and pick one you want to learn about and practice right now.
