Job Interviews: Biggest Challenge You’ve Overcome

One of my favorite interview questions to ask a job applicant is the one about handling major obstacles. “What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?” There may also be variations asking about your resilience or how you handle tough situations

As an interviewer, it’s interesting to me to see what the job seeker considers a major challenge. But more important, is the way you managed to turn things around for yourself — and how it helped the company. (Hint: Changing the water cooler bottle is not a great example. Yes … I know it’s heavy.)

NOTE:  A variation on the idea of overcoming challenges that you might be able to use is about managing to get past your own roadblocks. So much of what keeps us from career success comes from the inside — although not always easy to spot:

⇒  Are “Obstacle Illusions” Keeping You From Getting Ahead?

 

How you solved vs how you handled it

Ideally when talking about a major challenge you faced, your story should include more than a simple getting from Point A to Point B description. Interviewers want to learn about YOU as a person. And how you might behave in the future — especially if you’re working for their company.

So while you don’t want to go on too long, you might choose to include some or all of the following when talking about a biggest challenge you’ve overcome:

• What made it a true challenge as opposed to everyday work problems we all deal with. Or everyday personal problems if you go there. (Be careful about the latter if it might backfire on you being hirable.)
• How you found a solution including any extra obstacles that got in the way. And how the solution worked out for you and the company. It’s also a nice way to show an example of your resourcefulness.
• Ways you took it on showing personal resilience and attitude throughout — including any of your own momentary doubts or fears. And then how you rallied. (But tell it without bragging or making yourself “the hero”. That would only work against you. Keep it real.)

Why the biggest challenge question?

Basically it’s as good a question as any other one when it comes to getting a feel for who the person is sitting in front of an interviewer. And that’s a lot of what an interview is about. I used it many times.

What I like about the question is that it does give you a chance to show them how you think, how you go about solving problems, and the way you (and your brain) handle challenges. And how well  you work with others during periods of stress.

Mostly, it’s a good question to help the interviewer get a feel for what you might be like to work with. And if they can get a sense from you while you’re talking that (1) you’re being real with them; (2) you’re competent as well as resilient; and (3) they’d actually like having you as part of the company.

As for the job seeker, it’s a great chance to tell an engaging story, maintain good eye contact, and display positive energy as you show them why you’re the person that would add a lot to their team. And that you’d do it without giving up, whining about how hard the job is, or laying blame on others!

More posts to help

15 Things I Look for When I Interview People

Help! I’ve Got Job Interview Brain Freeze

5 Interview Skills To Help Connect the “Hire Me” Dots

 

10 Impressions You Leave After an Interview

How To Handle “What Do You Want To Ask Us?”

Do You Talk Too Much In Job Interviews?

 

Need more interview help?

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