Have you ever been rejected by a client before? How did this make you feel? How did you bounce back from that?

How to Answer
Answer Example

Rejection will likely occur at some point in your career. The key is sharing that you learn from the scenarios and never let them get the best of you. Begin by sharing a time you were rejected by a client. Share what personal assisting services you were not offered as well as why you were not given the job. Perhaps your cost was higher than another assistant's costs. Maybe you were unable to turn something around as quickly as the client would have liked. Or, it may be that the client had received a last minute referral for a different assistant from a friend. Next, share how you felt as a result of the rejection. You might share that you were disappointed, but you understood why they made their decision. You may mention that you were really looking forward to the opportunity, and you wish you could have taken on the job. Finally, discuss what steps, if any, that you took to ensure you were not rejected for the same reasons again. For example, you might mention that you re-worked your personal schedule to allow more flexibility to allow for quicker turnaround services.

"Answer example, "Rejection happens and our ability to handle rejection says a lot about who we are as professionals. It never feels great but it is important to learn from each situation and bounce back. If something could have been done better, be sure to recognize what that could have been. Other times, accept that you are not a fit for that client's needs and focus your energy on where you can add value elsewhere."

Next Question

How to Answer: Have you ever been rejected by a client before? How did this make you feel? How did you bounce back from that?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Personal Assistant job interview.

5. Have you ever been rejected by a client before? How did this make you feel? How did you bounce back from that?

How to Answer

Rejection will likely occur at some point in your career. The key is sharing that you learn from the scenarios and never let them get the best of you. Begin by sharing a time you were rejected by a client. Share what personal assisting services you were not offered as well as why you were not given the job. Perhaps your cost was higher than another assistant's costs. Maybe you were unable to turn something around as quickly as the client would have liked. Or, it may be that the client had received a last minute referral for a different assistant from a friend. Next, share how you felt as a result of the rejection. You might share that you were disappointed, but you understood why they made their decision. You may mention that you were really looking forward to the opportunity, and you wish you could have taken on the job. Finally, discuss what steps, if any, that you took to ensure you were not rejected for the same reasons again. For example, you might mention that you re-worked your personal schedule to allow more flexibility to allow for quicker turnaround services.

Written by Christine Pasqueretta

Answer Example

"Answer example, "Rejection happens and our ability to handle rejection says a lot about who we are as professionals. It never feels great but it is important to learn from each situation and bounce back. If something could have been done better, be sure to recognize what that could have been. Other times, accept that you are not a fit for that client's needs and focus your energy on where you can add value elsewhere."

Written by Christine Pasqueretta

Next Question