Have you ever had a project fall apart, last minute? How did you react, and what steps did you take to recover the deal?

How to Answer
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

The world of recruitment is fast-paced, and your direction can pivot without notice. Clients might pull the plug on an assignment halfway through, or your star candidate pulls out of the running at the last minute.

These circumstances are ones that you cannot control; however, you can control how you react. Walk the interviewer through the steps you take when a project appears to be falling apart and how you recover. If you have a recent example, discuss what happened and how you saved the day!

"I was six months into a search for a medical examiner. We had our candidate chosen, and when it came to the final offer, the candidate's wife decided that she didn't want to relocate after all. Thankfully, I had not yet closed off with the runner-up candidate. We called the runner-up in for another interview, and luckily my client decided they were the better fit in the long run. This situation could have been a disaster, but because I keep close relationships with all of the candidates I work with, we were able to save the deal."

"My team was working on a CEO role. Four months into the search, as we were narrowing down our top 3 candidates, my client let us know their board of directors cut the position's budget by one third. Essentially, we had to start our search over. Rather than becoming discouraged, I called our candidates to let them know the reduction in salary. Most of the candidates removed themselves from the competition, but they also offered referrals from people in their network who had the qualifications, but fewer years of experience. In the end, we were able to fill the position at the salary the client wanted, through an excellent referral. It was a great learning experience, and I am happy we did not throw in the towel."

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How to Answer: Have you ever had a project fall apart, last minute? How did you react, and what steps did you take to recover the deal?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Executive Recruiter job interview.

27. Have you ever had a project fall apart, last minute? How did you react, and what steps did you take to recover the deal?

How to Answer

The world of recruitment is fast-paced, and your direction can pivot without notice. Clients might pull the plug on an assignment halfway through, or your star candidate pulls out of the running at the last minute.

These circumstances are ones that you cannot control; however, you can control how you react. Walk the interviewer through the steps you take when a project appears to be falling apart and how you recover. If you have a recent example, discuss what happened and how you saved the day!

Written by Rachelle Enns on July 19th, 2021

1st Answer Example

"I was six months into a search for a medical examiner. We had our candidate chosen, and when it came to the final offer, the candidate's wife decided that she didn't want to relocate after all. Thankfully, I had not yet closed off with the runner-up candidate. We called the runner-up in for another interview, and luckily my client decided they were the better fit in the long run. This situation could have been a disaster, but because I keep close relationships with all of the candidates I work with, we were able to save the deal."

Written by Rachelle Enns on July 19th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"My team was working on a CEO role. Four months into the search, as we were narrowing down our top 3 candidates, my client let us know their board of directors cut the position's budget by one third. Essentially, we had to start our search over. Rather than becoming discouraged, I called our candidates to let them know the reduction in salary. Most of the candidates removed themselves from the competition, but they also offered referrals from people in their network who had the qualifications, but fewer years of experience. In the end, we were able to fill the position at the salary the client wanted, through an excellent referral. It was a great learning experience, and I am happy we did not throw in the towel."

Written by Rachelle Enns on July 19th, 2021

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