What is the riskiest decision you have ever made in the workplace?
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.
"(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."
"(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."
"(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."
"(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."
"(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."
"(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."
"(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."
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.
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.
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.
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
The riskiest decision is when we decide to give up stable life in New Zealand and moving to US to pursue American dream. I am looking hard for a job that would utilize my skills and experience that would help me to settle down in the new environment as well as lesson my husband financial pressure to support whole family.
Rachelle's Feedback
Nice example although you may want to focus more on the workplace portion of the response.
"The riskiest decision I made was to leave my job as an (enter job title) to relocate to the USA and pursue a new career. The challenges I have faced included learning a different culture, and finding work in a new country. However, there have been plenty of rewards such as a stable career and financial security."
Anonymous Answer
I was offered a staff pharmacist position between two different stores with fluctuating hours when I first got licensed. It was a risky decision because I didn't know how long I would get stuck in that position so I decided to decline. Turns out the two stores got split once a Walgreens bought out RiteAid and the hours of that position got cut. I was happy with my decision in the end because I waited for a better opportunity which did come my way.
Rachelle's Feedback
Very good answer aside from using the word "stuck" as you want to avoid speaking poorly of an opportunity.
"When I was first licensed, I was offered a staff pharmacist position working between two different stores, with fluctuating hours. It would have been a risky decision because the role did not offer ideal stability. Shortly after declining the role, the two stores split with Walgreens taking over some of the RiteAid stores. In the end, the position was cut. I was happy with my decision to wait for a more suitable opportunity."
Anonymous Answer
The riskiest decision I ever made was to move into the data analysis field, as a bioinformatician. The risk meant that if I were unsuccessful, I would be looking for a job in a saturated molecular biology field. The payoff would be that I would finally be in a sector in which I was truly interested. I made a great career for myself, which has brought me here today - with an exceptional opportunity in front of me.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your answer is perfectly structured. Well done!
Anonymous Answer
I have not been in a position where I had to make a risky decision, but if I ever were in one, I would analyze all the possible outcomes and who the situation affects. In my last career, we had a specific protocol we followed most of the time. We did not make risky decisions that could put our patients in harm's way.
Rachelle's Feedback
It's great that you crafted a situational response even though you have not had this exact workplace experience. Well done!
Anonymous Answer
I asked a boss to allow me to work 1 day a week at another company as an intern. He could have let me go but he didn't and openly supported my goal to begin a career in that field.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a wonderful example! What a great boss too - well done!
Anonymous Answer
I proposed having a shareholders' agreement to the director/shareholders and presented a draft to them. There were some governance clauses in the agreement that did not sit well with some shareholders.
In hindsight, I risked my job. However, in the end, the agreement was signed, and there were improved governance and ethics at the shareholder level. That cascaded down to management, and it also contributed to the improved bottom line performance.
Rachelle's Feedback
Sometimes it really pays off to take a risk in the workplace. Very good answer, and well done.
"The riskiest decision I made in the workplace was proposing to the director/shareholders on having a Shareholders Agreement and presenting a draft to them. Some governance clauses in the agreement did not sit well with some shareholders. In hindsight, I did risk my job. Albeit, in the end, the agreement was signed, and there were improved governance and ethics at a shareholder level which cascaded down to management; contributing to an improved bottom line performance."
Anonymous Answer
Leaving a secure job and moving on to a new job, taking the risk, not just for you but your family also.
Mary's Feedback
Consider adding details on why you took this risk, and what the outcome was. Employers are seeking to gain a better understanding of candidates' decision-making.
When I made the decision to changes jobs from [Employer] to [Employer], I faced the risk of leaving a very secure job for the unknown. However, I considered the benefits for myself and my family and ultimately was glad I made that decision.
Anonymous Answer
I think the riskiest decision I've made is taking steps to broaden my specialty. I worked as an engineer, responsible for a part but I felt that I want it to see widely all over the process. I thought project managing work would be good for it. I discussed with my boss and got a job while keeping the engineering work. With this opportunity, I could meet a bunch of people who worked in each different region and learn how the whole process worked.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is an excellent example that shows your career ambition. Good work!
"The riskiest decision I have made is taking steps to broaden my specialty. I worked as an Engineer, responsible for a portion of the work, but wanted to oversee a broader scope of the process. I discussed this career desire with my boss, and he allowed me to take on project management tasks while continuing with the engineering responsibilities. This opportunity allowed me to meet new people working in different regions, giving me exposure to the entire process."
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