How to Answer: Tell me about a difficult workplace goal you set. What steps did you take to achieve that goal?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an ADP job interview.
6. Tell me about a difficult workplace goal you set. What steps did you take to achieve that goal?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Setting goals for yourself (and taking the steps necessary to achieve them) shows that you are serious about your personal and professional growth. This question is your opportunity to emphasize your motivation and ability to see a goal through from the planning stages to actually achieving it.
Written by Elisabeth Walter
How to Answer
Demonstrate that you are willing to put in the hours and the effort to achieve your goal. Discuss with the interviewer two to three steps you took to help you get closer to that challenging goal. Be sure to highlight the results to show you made it!
Written by Rachel Hills on November 13th, 2022
1st Entry Level Example
"Since I do not have any formal work experience, I'll give you an example relating to my education. In my senior year of college, I set a goal to graduate with a grade point average of 4.0 on a scale of 4.0. I knew this would be a tough goal to achieve, and I also knew I would need a plan to achieve this goal. At the start of the year, I mapped out what classes I would take, and as I received the syllabus, I built a road map and used a planner to color code assignment deadlines and milestones. I planned "distraction-free" periods where I could study in quiet and get my work done without receiving texts or being distracted by my roommate. I set short and long-term goals and celebrated the milestones and achievements along the way. I think my planning and dedication to sticking to the plan helped me succeed in graduating with a 4.0 and honors!"
Written by Jaymie Payne on November 13th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I took it upon myself to pursue my master's part-time while working full-time at my previous position. Working towards my master's had been a goal of mine for a long time, and it was also something that my boss had encouraged me to do for my own professional growth. While it was challenging to balance different responsibilities, I learned so much through this experience and was proud of myself for accomplishing this goal. The scope of my responsibilities increased vastly after this as I was able to tackle more challenging work."
Written by Rachel Hills on November 13th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I set a goal to be promoted to manager of the tech team at my current company. I knew it would take time since I was only working in a fill-in lead position. I studied outside of work to learn more about the systems we worked with. I also let my manager know that I wanted to take on more responsibility. Within two years I was promoted to Systems Manager."
Written by Jaymie Payne on November 13th, 2022
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About the Author
When I started my career in business management, branding, and marketing, I mistakenly assumed hard work and integrity alone would get me noticed. Back then, I assumed the harder I worked, the faster I’d rise through the ranks. Yet, even in a meritocracy, this is rarely the case.
The goals of my peers competed with mine, and too often, they were better at getting noticed for their accomplishments. And, some of them were all too happy to watch me working harder, as they worked smarter, rising through the ranks faster than me. At one point, a boss of mine labeled me a stealth worker. They said they had no idea I was the one performing all that great work. If only I’d drawn more attention to what I was doing, maybe I would have gotten rewarded for it. So I learned most of my leadership skills the hard way, and the journey was long.
As a leader, my favorite part of the job came to be coaching others. I took pride in sharing the secrets to my eventual success, and offering my outside-of-the-box view of the role. Where other leaders were only in it for themselves, I was genuinely in it for the company and the team. So I taught those I mentored not only what they needed to do, and how to do the job right, but why each step was important. I spelled out how everything fit into the big picture and shared every trick of the trade that no one shared with me. Every single individual I mentored advanced far ahead of their peers, surpassing those who were only in it for themselves.
Another favorite part of the job was recruiting and building the perfect teams. For me, conducting an interview was an art form. I later volunteered my services at career fairs and trade schools, offering advice, from crafting the perfect CV and resume, to delivering a perfect interview, to negotiating a decent raise. Now I am a full-time writer, and left my management career behind me. Yet, I still love coaching others to succeed, and I love writing for mockquestions.com for this very reason.
Here’s what I said to a friend of mine whom I mentored a long time ago: “Every single thing you do, at every stage, can alter the perception others have of your professional worth. My goal is to make you look like an asset worth fighting for.”
Learn more about Kevin Downey