How to Answer: Tell me about a mistake you made at work. How did you handle it?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Paramedic job interview.
26. Tell me about a mistake you made at work. How did you handle it?
How to Answer
Making a mistake when working in emergency medicine can be lethal. When you think back on your work history, think of a time you made a mistake with lesser consequences. Talk about the mistake briefly, and then explain what you did once you realized you did something wrong. Show you took the initiative in handling it. If the consequences were greater than frustrating your boss or having to apologize, show you handled it by being humble and calm. Next, discuss what you learned from it and your actions to ensure it never happens again.
Written by Krista Wenz on November 11th, 2022
Entry Level Example
"I once made the mistake of telling a coworker that I could cover their shift without looking in my calendar first. The following day, I went to add the shift to my calendar and realized I had a wedding to attend that day. Since I had already agreed to cover the shift, I couldn't tell my coworker I was backing out. I called some other coworkers and found one of them to work the shift. After that, I always check my calendar before agreeing to cover a shift."
Written by Krista Wenz on November 11th, 2022
Answer Example
"I sent an email at work without proofing it and later realized that two people were copied who were not supposed to know the information I shared. As soon as I noticed, I spoke to my boss and asked what I needed to do to resolve the situation. At that point, I could only apologize and learn from my mistake. Since then, I have been meticulous in double-checking everything, whether it is an email, report, or checking my rig at shift change."
Written by Krista Wenz on November 11th, 2022