When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with setbacks in the workplace.
"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be a bit disheartening, but I understand that it happens from time to time. If I experience a major setback I will take a few moments to debrief with my manager and discuss what I could have done differently. Then, I move on!"
"Setbacks happen for a reason and they do not affect me emotionally in the least. I am a very pragmatic thinker and stay focused despite the challenges that come my way."
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
Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be a bit disheartening, but I understand that it happens from time to time. If I experience a setback, I will take a few moments to debrief with my manager and discuss what I could have done differently. Then, I move on!
Example: In my previous job, one major project I was responsible for was updating over 150 attorney bios for the company's new website launch. I experienced a setback when the project deadline was approaching and I was still having no luck getting in touch with the last attorney on my list. I had already emailed her and followed up 7-8 times over the course of 10 months reminding her of the deadline she needed to review the edits. I decided to give her a call to see if I could get her help to complete the task at hand. I was screamed at over the phone and told to send her an email with the subject line reading "THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING ON THANKSGIVING." I responded with a positive attitude and thanked her for her time. In the end, she reviewed what needed to be reviewed and I completed my project successfully and on time.
Amanda's Feedback
This is a great example that showcases your resilience and strong work ethic. You can round it out a bit more by sharing how it felt when the attorney yelled at you and how you regrouped quickly in order to respond positively. This makes it clear that you understand the difference between a split-second reaction and a response, which is important to successfully bounce back from a setback.
