Madeline Mann, founder of career coaching business Self Made Millennials, says it takes more than just being an agile thinker to tackle difficult interview topics.
Candidates also need to demonstrate an ability to be self-reflective, she says.
Before going into a job interview, Mann says you should always be prepared to share “concrete examples from your professional career.”
Most of these examples should reflect your professional accomplishments and positive qualities, but it’s just as important to have some “negative” scenarios in your pocket, Mann says.
The two main questions job seekers should prepare for, she says, are “Tell me about a time you had an interpersonal conflict” and “Tell me about a time you failed.”
Mann recommends addressing the latter question.
How to answer “Tell me about a time when you failed”
Mann says that while it can be scary to tell an interviewer about a career failure, the “failure” you’re talking about doesn’t have to be fatal.
“It can also be seen as a mistake,” she says. For example, “If you miss a data point or accidentally take a wrong turn, it could be a failure.”
When describing a time when you failed, Mann says your answer should include three key elements: context, action, and outcome.
In Mann’s view, the best approach to providing context is to simply state the facts of the case without covering up or dwelling on your own mistakes. Being defensive about your own mistakes or trying to shift the blame onto someone else can raise red flags.
“Action” refers to an approach to solving a problem, says Mann. Ask yourself what the core problem was and identify the steps you took to solve it.
For example, you might talk about a time when you made an error in your data analysis, and what systems you put in place to check your work afterward before submitting it.
The most important part of the answer is results, she says. That is, what did you learn from the experience and how did you change your approach to prevent future errors?
Candidates who make serious mistakes in data analysis, she says, “what we learned from that is that we always need to double-check our data sources because they’re not always accurate.”
From an employer’s perspective, the purpose of this question isn’t to trick you or find out “if you’re perfect or not,” Mann says.
Instead, they look for qualities such as integrity, adaptability, and resilience.
“What they’re trying to figure out is how to cope when things go wrong and how to learn from it. That’s what they really want to know,” she says.
Want to give your kids the ultimate advantage? Sign up for CNBC’s new online course, “How to Raise Financially Smart Kids.” Learn how to build healthy financial habits now to set your kids up for greater success in the future. Use coupon code EARLYBIRD for 30% off. Offer valid from December 8th to December 22nd, 2025. Terms and conditions apply.
