Tell me about a time you took a risk and how it turned out
Contents
- 1 Tell me about a time you took a risk and how it turned out
- 2 Other interview questions that are similar
- 3 What the interviewer is looking for by asking this question
- 4 How best to structure your answer to this question
- 5 What you should NOT do when answering questions
- 6 Tell me about a time you took a risk and how it turned out – Example answers
- 7 Other Interview Question and Answers
Other interview questions that are similar
- Can you describe a situation where you stepped out of your comfort zone and what happened as a result?
- Share an example of a decision you made that involved uncertainty, and what was the outcome?
- Discuss a time when you embraced change or uncertainty, and what were the consequences?
- Can you recount an instance when you made a bold choice, and how did it impact your life or career?
- Describe a moment when you decided to pursue an opportunity with potential risks, and what were the results?
- Tell me about a time you ventured into a new project or venture despite uncertainties, and what did you learn from it?
- Share an experience where you faced a challenging decision that required taking a chance, and what did you gain from that experience?
What the interviewer is looking for by asking this question
There are probably an infinite number of questions that the interviewer could ask you on the day. Some questions are incredibly common appearing in almost every interview you will have, while other questions you might hear once and never again regardless of how many jobs you apply for.
Fundamentally though all interview questions are really trying to find out one of 3 things:
1 – Can you do the job? (Do you have the skills/experience needed?)
2 – Will you do the job? (Do you have the drive/motivation to get the job done?)
3 – Will you fit in? (Does your personality match the workplace culture? Are you likeable?)
That’s it. Those are the 3 things that the interviewer is trying to ascertain. Every question that is asked of you will fundamentally be trying to resolve one (or more) of these 3 things.
When faced with the question, “Tell me about a time you took a risk and how it turned out,” your answer can cleverly address all three key areas interviewers are interested in. Let’s say you discuss a time when you proposed a new, untested marketing strategy at your previous job. This shows that you have the skills and experience to innovate (Can you do the job?), the drive to take calculated risks for potential gains (Will you do the job?), and the ability to adapt and think creatively, which could be a good cultural fit for many companies (Will you fit in?).
How best to structure your answer to this question
Unless the question you are asked is a straight ‘up or down / yes or no’ style question then you are going to need to learn to describe, expand and elaborate on your answers. The best way of doing this is to follow the B-STAR technique for answering interview questions.
Answers using this method follow the below structure:
B – Belief – What are your thoughts and feelings with regard to the subject matter? This relates to your personal conviction in taking a risk, crucial for the interviewer to understand your decision-making process and confidence in your actions.
S – Situation – What was going on? Briefly explain the scenario that was taking place. This sets the context for the risk taken, providing the interviewer with background information to evaluate the necessity and impact of your actions.
T – Task – What was your role in the action? Most of the time it is best that you are taking an active rather than passive role in the encounter. This illustrates your direct involvement and leadership in the situation, which is key for the interviewer to assess your initiative and responsibility levels.
A – Activity (or action) – What did you do? Detail the steps you took and why you took them. Explaining your specific actions gives the interviewer insight into your problem-solving and strategic thinking skills, as well as your ability to execute plans effectively.
R – Result – How did everything end up? Try to use figures if possible. Providing measurable outcomes helps the interviewer gauge the effectiveness of your actions and understand the tangible impact you had, which is essential in evaluating your potential contribution to their organization.
Remember though that the B-STAR technique is descriptive not prescriptive. You do not need to follow this flow strictly, go with what is best for your answers and that will allow you to put your point across and show your experience the best.
What you should NOT do when answering questions
Do not avoid the question;
Do not downplay the risk taken;
Do not overhype the outcome;
Do not have a passive role in the situation;
Do not focus only on the situation, neglecting your actions and their impact;
Do not provide vague or non-quantifiable results;
Do not fail to reflect on what you learned from the experience.
Tell me about a time you took a risk and how it turned out – Example answers
Example Answer 1 (Detailed)
“I’ve always believed that to stay competitive, it’s vital to be open to new ideas, even if they seem risky at first. In my previous role as a project manager, our team faced a major challenge. We were working on a product launch, but the traditional marketing strategies weren’t creating the buzz we needed. Recognizing this, I proposed a bold move: shifting our entire campaign to focus on digital and social media platforms, targeting a younger audience. This was a significant departure from our usual methods.
As the lead on this project, my task was not only to convince the management of the potential benefits but also to oversee the campaign’s execution. I conducted thorough research on digital marketing trends, presented a comprehensive plan to the management, and once approved, led a small team to implement it.
My action plan involved collaborating with influencers, creating interactive online content, and leveraging analytics to refine our approach in real-time. I ensured that each team member had clear responsibilities and we maintained open communication throughout the process to quickly address any challenges.
The results were remarkable. Within six months, our online engagement rates had increased by 35%, and the product launch saw a 50% higher turnout than any previous launches. Additionally, the campaign’s success led to a long-term shift in our marketing strategy. This experience taught me the value of embracing change and the importance of a well-coordinated team effort in turning risks into opportunities.”
Example Answer 2 (Shorter)
More Sample Answers…
The examples provided above can serve as a foundation for creating your unique answers. For additional inspiration, our new guide includes five sample responses to this question and over 250 answers to all of the most common interview queries.
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