Tell me about a risk you’ve taken that paid off.

What You Need to Know
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

You cannot achieve innovation unless you're willing to risk going against the status quo. Risk-taking comes naturally for some, whereas others prefer the status quo. Your interviewer wants to know if you are risk-averse or a risk taker. When offering your example, present yourself as someone who takes calculated risks, as opposed to someone who is a habitually compulsive risk-taker.

"My motto is that the most basic explanation for what I do is making my bosses' jobs easier, which includes anticipating their needs by understanding them, the other members of my team, the work that needs to be done, and a full scope of the big picture. So, there are, of course, occasions where a quick decision needs to be made, and there's no supervisor there to make the call. If it's urgent, then making that decision without them is a calculated risk. The trick is determining how to make the call without overstepping my bounds but staying true to the big picture and the team's needs. For example..."

"My folks used to say that you can't grow if you're not willing to risk stepping outside your comfort zone. They'd also say that luck is where you find it. They taught me how to pursue my goals and achieve them. Finding opportunity takes work, but seizing that opportunity takes a calculated risk. The calculation is in how well you've stacked the odds in your favor. That takes work. Finding luck takes work. Of course, these are subjective, but applying for this job was risking disappointment, but so far, it's paid off with this interview. If I'm not offered the job, that will be a disappointment, but it still has its rewards. There's a growth opportunity there to learn from it and improve upon my performance, further stacking the odds in my favor."

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How to Answer: Tell me about a risk you’ve taken that paid off.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Dyson job interview.

3. Tell me about a risk you’ve taken that paid off.

What You Need to Know

You cannot achieve innovation unless you're willing to risk going against the status quo. Risk-taking comes naturally for some, whereas others prefer the status quo. Your interviewer wants to know if you are risk-averse or a risk taker. When offering your example, present yourself as someone who takes calculated risks, as opposed to someone who is a habitually compulsive risk-taker.

Written by Kevin Downey on July 16th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"My motto is that the most basic explanation for what I do is making my bosses' jobs easier, which includes anticipating their needs by understanding them, the other members of my team, the work that needs to be done, and a full scope of the big picture. So, there are, of course, occasions where a quick decision needs to be made, and there's no supervisor there to make the call. If it's urgent, then making that decision without them is a calculated risk. The trick is determining how to make the call without overstepping my bounds but staying true to the big picture and the team's needs. For example..."

Written by Kevin Downey on July 16th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"My folks used to say that you can't grow if you're not willing to risk stepping outside your comfort zone. They'd also say that luck is where you find it. They taught me how to pursue my goals and achieve them. Finding opportunity takes work, but seizing that opportunity takes a calculated risk. The calculation is in how well you've stacked the odds in your favor. That takes work. Finding luck takes work. Of course, these are subjective, but applying for this job was risking disappointment, but so far, it's paid off with this interview. If I'm not offered the job, that will be a disappointment, but it still has its rewards. There's a growth opportunity there to learn from it and improve upon my performance, further stacking the odds in my favor."

Written by Kevin Downey on July 16th, 2022

Next Question