Tell me about a time you failed at something.
Your interviewer is curious about what your approach to your failures, setbacks, and mistakes may say about your emotional intelligence, experience, and professionalism. How a person approaches failure has as much to do with their rate of success. A person who examines their failures and learns what they can from them to prevent repeating the same mistakes while ensuring their future success is a desirable asset. Whereas someone who tries to hide their mistakes, does not take ownership of them, and fears admitting to them or being discovered is highly likely to repeat the same mistakes, having learned little from the experience, and presents themself as a liability.
"A while back, I spent too much time fine-tuning the details of one aspect of a project I was working on. I sometimes try to be a perfectionist, but in doing so I lose track of time and end up hyper-focused on things that are less of a priority. On this one occasion, I missed my deadline and was pulled aside by my manager, who recognized this as a coaching opportunity. I learned a lot about how to balance my attention to detail, and how to prioritize and see the bigger picture. When I say a mistake won't happen again, I mean it. I've received primarily positive feedback from my previous manager. I work hard on improving all of my growth opportunities."
Examine how Heineken defines their approach to failure and compare it to your work history and approach. "Put safety first. Act as an entrepreneur. Collaborate through trust. Keep it simple. Learn to improve. When we face all the successes and failures together, as one team, things happen. This strategy leverages our existing strengths alongside new opportunities to chart the next chapter of our growth. True to our ambitions, it meets short-term challenges and will ensure the long-term journey of both continuity and change, building on what has made us great and what is needed next. If you're someone who takes pride in their work, is great at interpreting/presenting information, demonstrates learning agility, resilience and a flexible approach, you're part way there! Adapt to a fast-changing world and grow stronger."
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