How to Answer: What is the riskiest decision you have ever made in the workplace?
10. What is the riskiest decision you have ever made in the workplace?
The Goal
The interviewer wants to know how you approach making risky decisions. The goal of your response is to show the interviewer that you can analyze a situation and that you understand the importance of making well-calculated decisions, even if there is some risk involved.
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
How to Answer
Start with an overview of the decision you needed to make and explain why it was risky. Describe who the situation impacted as well as the outcomes. Complete your answer by sharing how your decision paid off or mention any recognition you received for your success.
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
Pro Tip
Behavioral-based interview questions like this, where the interviewer is looking for a story example, are best answered using the STAR method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Organizing your response using this framework will ensure that you provide the interviewer with the right amount of information and detail to form a compelling answer.
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
What to Avoid
Avoid giving a surface-level answer that sounds like a lesson in risk-taking. For instance, 'Leaving my job to join this company is a risky decision, but if you don't try to achieve your dreams, you will not have the career progression you want.' This type of response does not answer this behavioral-based question directly and tells the interviewer very little about your behavior in the workplace.
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
Answer Example
"(Situation) The riskiest decision I ever made was to leave the recruitment industry. (Task) I had a desire to move into workforce planning as a consultant. The risk meant that if I were unsuccessful, I would be looking for a new job in a plodding economy. The payoff would be that I would finally be in a sector in which I was truly interested. (Action) Through hard work and leveraging my connections, I made a great career for myself over the next eight years. (Result) This hard work is what has brought me here today with an exceptional career opportunity in front of me."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
Admin Example
"(Situation) The riskiest career choice I made was asking for a reduction in hours, from full-time to part-time employment. (Task) I was asking for this reduction so that I could pursue my degree in Business Administration. (Action) I approached my boss with the facts and humbly asked that he consider my past commitments to the company when making his decision. (Result) My boss could have let me go, but he didn't. He openly supported my pursuit of higher education."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
Marketing Example
"(Situation) One of the riskiest decisions I made was to leave corporate America and join a startup with an innovative idea. (Task) The company was seeking to provide a product/service that would pioneer a new industry. (Action) We worked harder and smarter to launch and create a new space in the nutraceutical marketplace. (Result) We failed a lot along the way, but we learned to fail fast, and it made us all better professionals."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
Sales Example
"(Situation) The riskiest career decision I've made was to leave an established organization in a down economy. (Task) Despite being groomed for a general manager role, I knew I needed to try my hand in a technology startup. (Action) Most of my family thought I was nuts, but I followed my intuition. (Result) Not only did I get to experience a different, more innovative culture, team, and product, but I was able to be a real 'difference-maker' in the organization. That leap brought me to more opportunities I never thought possible."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
Retail Example
"(Situation) I think the riskiest decision I've made is taking steps to pursue a new position. (Task) I am seeking out an opportunity, which means leaving a 15-year tenure at a successful store. (Action) Although I have risen through the ranks in this job and made a name for myself, I have a desire to challenge myself professionally. (Result) I am thrilled to be taking this chance and speaking with your esteemed retail brand today."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
Teacher Example
"(Situation) My most considerable risk was choosing between pursuing a role as a high school Spanish teacher or an elementary Spanish teacher. (Task) Choosing to work in an elementary school environment was risky because I knew of budget cut rumors to elementary-based language programs. (Action) Regardless of these rumors, I decided to pursue an elementary school teaching gig. (Result) I was laid off after two years; however, it was the role that I wanted the most, which is why I took the chance."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
Manager Example
"(Situation) My riskiest decision was to ship a customer order late. (Task) I was not satisfied with the quality audit, and as the QA Manager, I took my responsibility seriously. (Action) The numbers were within the correct threshold but not to par. (Result) In the end, while the customer was unhappy to receive a late order, she was happy that we cared enough to investigate any potential problems."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 14th, 2021
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