What is the most difficult challenge you have faced?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

This question is open-ended, but be sure to relate your response to the role to which you're applying. For instance, if you are applying for a managerial role, discuss a challenge you've faced when managing other people. If the position description emphasizes customer service skills, highlight a challenge you've encountered while working with customers and how you addressed the challenge effectively.

Keep it professional and don't bring up any challenges that could potentially make the interviewer feel uncomfortable. Describe the challenge tactfully without speaking negatively about former bosses or colleagues. Discussing a professional challenge is preferable. If your work experience is limited, talk about a challenge you faced academically or in volunteer work.

"In my previous position, my boss went on maternity leave two months after I started with the company. As it was a highly technical role, I was still being trained when she went on leave. It was a challenge to work in a primarily independent setting with limited guidance while I was still learning how to be effective in the role. I sought out team members who could help bridge the gaps in my understanding. I became quite comfortable working independently without having all of the information I needed. I learned to trust my intuition and dive into projects while learning as I went."

"While my work experience is limited as a recent graduate, a substantial challenge that I faced academically was adjusting to the rigors of a challenging university. The high school that I attended was not particularly rigorous, so acclimating to the workload and difficulty of classes my freshman year was quite a challenge. My grades suffered at first, but I took it upon myself to regularly go to office hours, seek out a tutor in one particularly difficult course, and practice time management and study skills. These strategies were ultimately effective and I graduated cum laude from my university."

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How to Answer: What is the most difficult challenge you have faced?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Palo Alto Networks job interview.

5. What is the most difficult challenge you have faced?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

This question is open-ended, but be sure to relate your response to the role to which you're applying. For instance, if you are applying for a managerial role, discuss a challenge you've faced when managing other people. If the position description emphasizes customer service skills, highlight a challenge you've encountered while working with customers and how you addressed the challenge effectively.

Keep it professional and don't bring up any challenges that could potentially make the interviewer feel uncomfortable. Describe the challenge tactfully without speaking negatively about former bosses or colleagues. Discussing a professional challenge is preferable. If your work experience is limited, talk about a challenge you faced academically or in volunteer work.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"In my previous position, my boss went on maternity leave two months after I started with the company. As it was a highly technical role, I was still being trained when she went on leave. It was a challenge to work in a primarily independent setting with limited guidance while I was still learning how to be effective in the role. I sought out team members who could help bridge the gaps in my understanding. I became quite comfortable working independently without having all of the information I needed. I learned to trust my intuition and dive into projects while learning as I went."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"While my work experience is limited as a recent graduate, a substantial challenge that I faced academically was adjusting to the rigors of a challenging university. The high school that I attended was not particularly rigorous, so acclimating to the workload and difficulty of classes my freshman year was quite a challenge. My grades suffered at first, but I took it upon myself to regularly go to office hours, seek out a tutor in one particularly difficult course, and practice time management and study skills. These strategies were ultimately effective and I graduated cum laude from my university."

Written by Rachel Hills on December 26th, 2021

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