Optometry School Mock Interview
Practice 30 Optometry School interview questions covering clinical judgment, patient care philosophy, and your commitment to vision science.
Question 23 of 30
When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
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Example Answer
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Nisha Yadav is a Talent Advisor & People Specialist with a focus on global talent attraction. Her earlier career experience includes HR and recruitment roles where she specialized in contract and permanent IT recruitment opportunities.
Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. When you work in the medical field, those setbacks can be amplified. While attending university, even more so because your grades can greatly determine the success of your future career. Discuss with the interviewers how you typically cope with setbacks.
Nisha Yadav is a Talent Advisor & People Specialist with a focus on global talent attraction. Her earlier career experience includes HR and recruitment roles where she specialized in contract and permanent IT recruitment opportunities.
"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be very disheartening, especially when involving a project that I have put a lot of time and effort into. I understand that setbacks happen often, and to everyone - despite their level of expertise or years of experience. If I experience a major setback I will take a few moments to internally debrief, get some fresh air if possible, or discuss what I could have done differently with a mentor. Then, I move on. Rather than dwell on my mistakes, I choose to learn from them."
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Anonymous Answer
Having setbacks is never easy; it is disappointing, but I believe instead of being disheartened, I try to effectively take action to see either how I can prevent this happening in the future or how can I change this to overcome the obstacle. Learning from our mistakes is the only way we are to improve and progress.
Rachelle's Feedback
Learning from your mistakes is very important, and it's good that you see setbacks this way.
Anonymous Answer
I try to analyze what went wrong and try to focus on not making the same mistake again.
Rachelle's Feedback
This is a good start; however, be sure to analyze the full question and address all parts. In this instance, there is no mention of your emotional response to setbacks. I have offered a revision below.
"Setbacks can be disappointing and I am sometimes disheartened but only for a short time. I quickly move to analyze what went wrong and focus on repairing the situation so that I do not repeat the same mistake in the future."
Anonymous Answer
I make every effort not to let setbacks affect my work. While setbacks are disappointing I try not to dwell on them. Rather, I use them as a learning opportunity, I reflect on how I can learn from them, use them in the future and move on.
Marcie's Feedback
The interviewer will appreciate that you learn from any setbacks you experience. Can you talk about one in particular and explain what it taught you? Also, emphasize that you don't allow setbacks to negatively affect your emotions. Instead, tell the interviewer that you are resilient and capable of quickly bouncing back. Good job!
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