How To Answer "What Is Your Biggest Failure?" In Interviews

Master how to answer this tricky job interview question and impress employers in Malaysia with a confident, well-prepared response.

By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:12 AM

Updated on 2024-08-22 at 2:00 PM

Answering Tricky Job Interview Questions

Facing the “What is your biggest failure?” question during a job interview can be daunting, but it's one of the common interview questions in Malaysia. How you respond to this inquiry can reveal a lot about your character, your ability to handle setbacks, and how you grow from your experiences.

Why Do Interviewers Ask About Failure?

Don’t get taken aback when an employer asks you this spicy question at a job interview. Employers understand that nobody is perfect. Failures can and do happen to the best of us. Instead, employers just want to see the attitude you have when you approach both the question and a trying moment.

They want to gauge your self-awareness, humility, and ability to learn from your mistakes. This question is an opportunity to show that you can turn a setback into a stepping stone towards success.

Steps to Prepare Your Answer For This Interview Question

Preparation is key when acing tricky job interview questions. Identify an instance where things didn’t go as planned, but you learned a valuable lesson. Your answer should focus on what you did to overcome the situation and how it has helped you become a better professional.

Step 1: Choose A Past Failure

The first step is to carefully choose a failure from your past that is relevant and presents you in a positive light. It’s important to choose a situation where you genuinely failed but can demonstrate growth and resilience. The failure should be significant enough to have had an impact but not so severe that it raises concerns about your abilities. For example, you might choose a project that didn’t meet its objectives, a missed deadline, or a challenge you faced in a leadership role. Choosing a failure that is related to the job you are applying for can show that you have experience dealing with challenges in similar contexts. This allows you to discuss it with sincerity and detail.

Step 2: Share the Problem

Once you have chosen your example, outline the problem or situation that led to the failure. This part of your answer sets the stage and provides context, so the interviewer understands the challenges you faced. Explain the situation, your role, and why the challenge was significant. Describe the problem objectively without placing blame on others. This shows maturity and accountability.

Step 3: Share the Solution

After discussing the problem, focus on what you did to address the failure. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and proactive attitude. Talk about the steps you took to resolve the issue or mitigate its impact. Describe the specific actions you took to try to resolve the problem. This might include seeking help, re-strategizing, or taking corrective measures.

Step 4: Lesson Learned

The final step is to discuss the lessons you learned from the experience. This is the most crucial part of your answer, as it shows your ability to reflect, grow, and avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future. The interviewer wants to see that you have gained valuable insights that have made you a better professional.

Prepare for Follow-Up Interview Questions

After discussing your biggest failure, be prepared for follow-up questions. Interviewers might ask how you’ve applied the lessons learned to other projects or how you handle challenges now. Discuss how you have applied these lessons in subsequent situations. This demonstrates that you have not only learned from the failure but have actively used that knowledge to improve. Additional interview tips to guide your preparation include:

Stay Positive: Even when discussing failures, maintain a positive tone. Focus on what you gained from the experience rather than the mistake itself.

Practice Makes Perfect: Practise your answer several times before the interview. This will help you deliver it confidently and naturally.

Be Concise: While it’s important to provide enough detail, avoid going into unnecessary depth. A concise, well-structured answer is more impactful.

Conclusion

Answering the "What is your biggest failure?" question is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your resilience, growth mindset, and ability to turn challenges into learning experiences. By following these interview tips in Malaysia, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle this and other tricky interview questions. Remember, employers are not just interested in your successes—they also want to know how you handle setbacks and emerge stronger.

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By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:12 AM