American Express Mock Interview
Master 35 American Express interview questions covering service excellence, financial products, and customer relationship building.
Question 23 of 35
Tell me about a challenge you've experienced in life. How did you overcome it?
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Elisabeth Walter is an experienced Recruiting Consultant and Enrollment Advisor.
This will help them ascertain whether or not you allow personal challenges in your life to affect your work life. It will also offer insights into how you overcome challenges that you face in your work life as well.
Elisabeth Walter is an experienced Recruiting Consultant and Enrollment Advisor.
"One of the biggest challenges that I have faced, and one of my proudest accomplishments, was working my way through university and graduating with my bachelor's degree in finance with zero debt. I did well in school and tried so hard--something that I am incredibly proud of."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Think about the obstacles and challenges you have gotten through to make it to where you are! Maybe you took on a severe course load your first year in college. Or perhaps you were asked to give your first presentation with little time to prepare. Once you identify the challenge, talk about what you did to overcome it. Focus on the lengths you took to make sure you finished your semester strong or how you researched and practiced to make sure you nailed the presentation.
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Remember, there's no right or wrong answer. Just give an example that shows off your skills and instills confidence that you will continue to overcome obstacles in the future! Overcoming challenges show you have perseverance and determination. It shows you can accomplish goals even in the midst of trying circumstances.
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"I was on vacation in another country when my flight was delayed and eventually canceled. Getting home turned into quite the ordeal and we didn't get home until two days later. Luckily, I always pad time on the backside of my trip just in case, and I didn't miss any work as a result. My flight arrived at 3 a.m. on Monday and I had to be at work at 7 a.m. That was a rough re-entry, but it all worked out well in the end."
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Anonymous Answer
When I decided to do my master's after 3 years of work-life, it was hard for me to leave my already made career and start studies all over again. I left my job as I wanted to come to the US for my Master's but couldn't come because of Covid. I stayed calm, Deferred my admission from Fall 2020 to Spring 2021, and utilized that period by doing a short internship which helped me learn the basics of SQL, Power BI mainly and to an extent Python and R. I am happy I took that decision because I took Python n R course in my first semester and Internship learnings helped me.
Kevin's Feedback
This is an excellent example to share in response to this question, as it showcases your ambition, determination, and resilience. The interviewer will be impressed by your ability to overcome the challenges caused by the COVID-related delay to your education, and the fact you were able to use the time to learn new professional skills.
I decided to earn my master’s degree. I’d been working for three solid years, off to a good start to build my career. So I faced the challenge of leaving a solid career to return to education. But, I’d revised my career goals, deciding I wanted to pursue opportunities in the US. So, with this new focus, I faced my fears and started preparing for this big adjustment, and that was a challenge. Leaving my job, returning to school, and relocating to another country.
Everything was lined up when I faced yet another challenge. After I left my job comitted to pursue my Master’s Covid hit, and I was unable to enter the USmy goals, and made the best use of my time. I deferred my admission from Fall 2020 to Spring 2021, and utilized that period by winning a temporary internship which where I learned the basics of SQL, Power BI mainly and to an extent Python and R. I was proud of this decision as I took Python n R course in my first semester and what I’d learned in my internship I was able to apply towards what I learned in college, giving me a head start that ultimately helped me towards my goals.
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