How to Answer: Give me an example of when you took a risk to achieve a goal. What was the outcome?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Epidemiologist job interview.
23. Give me an example of when you took a risk to achieve a goal. What was the outcome?
How to Answer
As an Epidemiologist, you make take risks in your job, within your research or how you present information. Whatever your risk was, tell the interviewer about it with confidence. Tell the interviewer that you take risks to think outside the box and get people thinking.
Written by Heather Douglass
Answer Example
"Studies show that there is a connection between smoking and lung cancer. I took the risk to focus my energy on the connection between second-hand smoke and lung cancer. My risk paid off and my research was published last year."
Written by Heather Douglass
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
"My lead during my time as an epidemiology disease investigator was out one time and other leads were busy to address any queries. I took a risk to help out my team and address their questions and concerns as much as possible. My lead was appreciative of my initiative and promoted me to backup lead and later to my current position in the supervisory position."
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! Can you talk more about why this was a risk for you? Had you never managed others before? Were you nervous you wouldn't know the answers to their questions? After you took the leap, what kinds of questions did they ask, and were you able to answer them correctly? How did helping your team in this way benefit them? Did they meet a deadline because of your actions? It's great that this led to you gaining supervisory responsibilities. Excellent!