Are you afraid of any person or situation?
"I was afraid of my father growing up. I don't know if I've been afraid of anyone since I stopped being afraid of him. As far as situations, I'm afraid of any situation arising from me not putting my all in. That's why I am always aiming for 110%. I guess I have always been afraid of letting anyone on the team down."
The interviewer is hoping to determine how good a fit you would be. They are also again hoping to assess how well you cope with stress, and how honest you are, evaluating the consistency between how you answered the other question. Everyone has fears, and your interviewer is expecting you to have them as well. Admitting your fears, in whatever context, helps them understand your personality, and how your fears might be exploited in an environment such as theirs.
One might have fears of endangerment to themselves or their loved ones, and others have professional fears. Knowing yourself, and delivering your answer with confidence, in a way that reveals you have complete control and balance over your emotions is the aim. The goal is not to come across as fearless, but as having mastery over your own emotions.
Employers value self-awareness and honesty. If you have a fear for your own personal safety, use this as a motivation towards pursuing every option before resorting to physical contact, and portray a grounded and positive attitude when delivering your response. Try to focus on how you control your fear, and that it doesn't control you. Practice delivering your answer in a steady, confident voice. Use confident body language, make eye contact, and maintain good posture.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I am afraid of letting my family, friends, and coworkers down. I strive to do the best I can at whatever I do and when I fail I try to learn the most I can from it.
Marcie's Feedback
Your answer comes across as genuine, which is great. But don't forget that the interviewer will want to know more about your personality and ability to handle scary situations and people. If you rarely feel afraid of others, say that. Or talk about what you do to handle any fear that you might feel. Good job!
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