What types of challenges and problems did you face at your last position?
When interviewers ask you this interview question, they want to know about the struggles you've faced in your previous jobs and how you overcame them. They also want to assess your problem-solving skills, which will give them an idea of how you'd face similar challenges in the role you're interviewing for. Employers want to hire individuals who can turn challenges into opportunities.
"Drafters need time to produce high-quality drawings, but sometimes we just have to get drawings done quickly. We've all been there; it's the nature of the industry. But quality is always sacrificed when speed is the priority. Most of the time, doing a job quickly and correctly comes down to clear communication with the team, project manager, and client. I realized that most of the scheduling issues arose because of inadequate communication. I also realized early on that working overtime is sometimes a necessity, and moving jobs around (if I have multiple projects underway) can help me meet quick deadlines."
Identify challenges you've faced in your previous positions and consider how you were able to solve or overcome them. Tailor your answer to the job description by taking time to review the job posting or job description before the interview. You want to be able to discuss a real professional challenge or problem, not an arbitrary or annoying occurrence. You also want to be able to define how you met the challenge successfully.
