How to Answer: Tell us about a time you had to admit to having made a mistake.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a General Motors job interview.
5. Tell us about a time you had to admit to having made a mistake.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
They want to ensure you take ownership of your mistakes and exhibit the ability to learn and grow from your setbacks. Making mistakes is human. How you deal with and remedy a mistake comes down to exercising good judgment and knowing when asking for help is appropriate. Many times, a person might feel fear of being judged for a mistake they've made. How they confront their fear, and the situation, is the true test of their character.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 28th, 2022
How to Answer
When you provide your example, explain the reasons behind your course of action. If you tried to fix the mistake before bringing it to the attention of your superiors, explain why. Using the star method, start by describing the situation, then the task that wasn't executed as hoped, the actions you took, and the result. Break down the positive takeaways from the situation and the measures you took to set yourself up for success moving forward.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 28th, 2022
Answer Example
"I misunderstood the angle I was supposed to take for a project assigned to me. I am pretty communicative and make a habit of mirroring and ensuring we're all on the same page. In this instance, it is still ambiguous where the communication breakdown occurred. But regardless, the very minute I realized what happened, I walked up to my supervisor and informed them of the setback. They were admittedly disappointed, but were able to delay the deadline to allow me to recover what was recoverable, and effectively start over."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 28th, 2022