Describe a mistake you made on the job, the steps you took to try to correct it, and what you learned from the experience.

With questions regarding mistakes or failure, take ownership and exemplify that you learned from the experience. Stand behind your word when you say to your superiors that you won't make the mistake again.

When you provide your example, explain that you know where things went awry, the reasons behind your course of action, and the steps you took to correct it or reduce the impact of your mistake while considering the needs of the workplace and your teams.

If you tried to fix the mistake before bringing it to the attention of your superiors, explain why. In this scenario, a good reason would be to not distract your supervisors from matters they were dealing with, and it was simpler and less exhaustive of the company's resources for you to fix it yourself. If you brought the mistake to their attention, explain that it would've cost the workplace more to have you fix it, whereas a superior could solve the issue in a matter of minutes.

The recruiter is looking for candidates who exhibit integrity with this question. Showcase your professionalism and confidence in your abilities to learn and grow from your setbacks. Practice speaking clearly, and take note of your use of any speech crutch words such as "like," "um," "you know," "so on and so forth," "and," "well," "but," "so," "ah," "er," and "Etcetera."