How to Answer: Tell me about a time you failed. How did you recover?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a McKesson Corporation job interview.
4. Tell me about a time you failed. How did you recover?
How to Answer
Your interviewer is curious if you take ownership of your mistakes. Owning your mistake shows character and integrity. How we deal with and remedy a mistake comes down to exercising good judgment and knowing when to ask for help. Your reaction to a failure should be in the best interest of the company. When you provide your example, explain the reasons behind your course of action.
Written by Kevin Downey on May 3rd, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I had multiple deadlines approaching. Some of the work was assigned last minute, and they knew I had too much on my plate, but everyone did at that time. I pride myself on meeting my deadlines, which are much earlier than a project's assigned deadline, so I normally feel more comfortable when I've met my deadlines and have time between that date and when projects are due to go over my work with a fine-toothed comb. I didn't have that luxury on this occasion. None of the work was late, but I didn't have the luxury I normally afford, so I look at that as a personal failure."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 3rd, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I am rather adept at time management. I had a day that I should have taken off, but I pushed myself to come to work and underperformed and made several mistakes. On that day, I failed because I hadn't properly examined my limitations. I didn't have my eye on the big picture that day, and I consider that a failure. But I learned a lot about that experience."
Written by Kevin Downey on May 3rd, 2022