Job Interview Question & Answer: What Was the Most Difficult Period in Your Life and How Did You Deal with It?

How to Answer the Question:

Keep your responses limited to professional circumstances and only discuss challenging situations you were able to overcome. Discuss what you learned from the ordeal. Don’t give away personal information or anything that may make it more difficult for you to get the job. This job interview question may be an attempt to learn personal information the employer cannot ask for directly; don’t fall for this.

Relate difficult transitions from school to work or other career-related events you found trying, but only discuss those instances where you triumphed and made the best out of a bad situation. Don’t talk about difficult interpersonal issues you experienced with co-workers or employers. Don’t discuss events the interviewer would consider insignificant. During the hiring process, keep your responses limited to large events most individuals can relate to in the business world: difficult transitions, missing a promotion, etc.

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