What major challenges or problems did you face in your last position?

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Entry Level Example
Experienced Example
Community Answers

The challenges and problems you face in your current job will show the interviewer the scope of responsibility and problem-solving you can handle.

For instance, if your biggest challenge is working an hour of overtime on a Saturday evening or dealing with a petty co-worker, the interviewer might gain the impression that you're ill-equipped to meet the demands of a TSA Screener.

Discuss a genuine challenge or problem you faced, and talk about the action steps you took to resolve the issue. When approaching this question, you can give a story-based example using the STAR interview method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

Remember, this question is not an opportunity to complain about your job or co-workers. Approach this question in a way that highlights your problem-solving and stress-management skills.

"(Situation) My biggest challenge as a new security officer was learning all of the regulations behind the job. (Task) The learning curve was steep, but it was imperative that my co-workers and employer could rely on me to have a full understanding of the job. (Action) To meet this challenge, I spent many personal hours studying manuals and testing my knowledge with flashcards. I even found some competency tests online. (Result) My employer told me that I was the most diligent person he had hired in a long time. I expected the role to be challenging, so I was prepared to put in the effort required to succeed. I expect this challenge will be the same if I am accepted as a TSA Screener. I am ready to face this challenge and work hard to overcome any obstacles."

"I worked for a private security company that catered to upper-echelon clients. Some contracts were for the weekend, some for longer periods. Some assignments were simple, like providing security for their kids while they were away, and others acting as security for private events. On occasion, when paparazzi or reporters try to take advantage of an opportunity, the client would insist that we 'rough them up.' I always declined, and they subsequently attempted to make things difficult for me with my employer. Occasionally, this became an issue, and serving such clients was difficult. That's why I decided a career change was in order, which is what brings me here today."

Anonymous Answer

"There was very little training at Safeway before they just tossed you behind a register. I quickly found out that a lot of the things are learned as you go and that each shift manager wants things done differently. I look forward to the standardized training TSA provides each new hire, I'm sure that is a great foundation for what you'll also learn on the frontlines as a new team member."

Kevin's Feedback

I've reworded you answer slightly slightly for clarity. See below.

"My last position offered me very little training, before I was expected to jump right into my job as a cashier. I had no time to learn and practice, before having to actually do the job. I quickly learned that for many things, I was expected to "learn as I go," and each Shift Manager wanted things done a little differently. This was a bit discouraging.

I look forward to getting some standardized training at TSA and being measured and promoted based on standards that are used across the board for all team members equally."

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"The most major problem that I faced at my last position was that, since we were understaffed, I had to learn on the job from day one. Fortunately, my co-workers were extremely helpful, and I was able to learn the ins and outs of my position very quickly."

Rachelle's Feedback

This would have been a challenging situation, indeed. Your answer shows a strong ability to adapt and be independent in your learning.

Anonymous Answer

"A major challenge I have faced in my current position is the lack of communication between the staff and our supervisor. We get little to no instruction and rarely get feedback. Questions are often left unanswered. I have learned to use my experience and best judgment to phrase questions in a way that would generate an answer."

Cindy's Feedback

Good start. There's an opportunity to showcase your ability to problem-solve. If there were challenges in your last position, how did you solve them?

Anonymous Answer

"There have been many challenges during the Pandemic. The staff was originally cut to only 5-7 people working per day. Learning just how much food to cut back on. Trim up the budget. Unemployment and people didn't want to come back to work because they were getting paid more. Non-Covid related, I would say a problem was that our training department kept changing the outline and programs for new employees."

Marcie's Feedback

Sorry to hear that Covid created so many problems for you at work! To more thoroughly answer this question consider mentioning how you managed to tackle and overcome these problems. Did you and your coworkers adapt and, if so, how?

Anonymous Answer

"Dealing with transients or trespassers. They are unpredictable. The same transient can be compliant with your direction to leave or they can be hostile and belligerent. The same person can be hostile in one encounter but compliant in another encounter only 2 to 3 days later."

Chad's Feedback

Great start! To improve this response, detail for the interviewer the action steps you took to successfully deal with transients and trespassers. I recommend giving a story-based example using the STAR interview method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. If you'd like to read more about the STAR interview method, you can find a guide here: Master Behavioral-Based Interviews Using The Star Method

Anonymous Answer

"When I was doing my onboarding to work as a substitute teacher, we were given no training on child development, age-appropriate conflict resolution, or how to run a classroom. Therefore, I had to literally learn everything on the job. The greatest challenge was understanding how to manage a class full of toddlers and special ed children all on my own. What I did to compensate for my lack of training was to ask teachers for advice and observe how seasoned teachers would command and retain the students' attention. It was a steep learning curve, but I always came in each day determined to do better and learn more."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! You have used the STAR method well here to explain the situation, your task, your actions, and the result. It sounds like this was very difficult but you rose to the challenge successfully. You come across as resourceful, determined, and intelligent. Great response!