Failure Interview Question?

[anyonecandoctor]

Trying to prep for the "What is your biggest failure?"-esque interview questions. In secondaries, I wrote about a research project that I let that ended up with no results, because I didn't think I could write about being a reapplicant as a failure in a meaningful and compelling way, but I think I could TALK about it in a way that seems genuine. Any input on if this is a no go or if it puts the interviewer in the awkward position where they are contributing to my biggest failure?

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[ecobio]

Certainly appropriate to talk about reapplying for that question. Honestly, I dont think it matters much /what/ the failure is, as long as you can reasonably show growth from it. Have strong takeaways from the experience and detail the steps you took during the time to deal with it. Its more about exploring your resilience and humility IMO.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

None of us are perfect, and none of us will be perfect. How do you process making mistakes or failure? That's what you should talk about.

The Perfect Doctor

The Perfect Doctor: Forty Voices on the Imperfect Pursuit of an Ideal

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[LindaAccepted]

Trying to prep for the "What is your biggest failure?"-esque interview questions. In secondaries, I wrote about a research project that I let that ended up with no results, because I didn't think I could write about being a reapplicant as a failure in a meaningful and compelling way, but I think I could TALK about it in a way that seems genuine. Any input on if this is a no go or if it puts the interviewer in the awkward position where they are contributing to my biggest failure?

Show what you learned from the experience (whatever failure you choose to talk about -- most of us have a menu to choose from ) and that in similar circumstances you handled the situation effectively as a result of what you learned. Show resilience.

FYI, while you can certainly talk about your reapplication, I wonder if there aren't better examples. Your reapplication should reflect your analysis of mistakes in the previous app and intrinsically demonstrate your correction of those errors. It automatically shows resilience and determination. So I'm not saying don't use it because this year's readers won't necessarily look at last year's app, but perhaps see if there is something else that would reinforce what your reapplication already shows as well as show you involved and growing in a different area of your life. Just something to consider.

 

[Rapsidy]

Honestly the reapplication failure angle seems much more compelling to me than the no results on research. A ton of research that is done either ends with no results or in failure, that’s just a given. It doesn’t incorporate the second implicit part of this question, which is how did you overcome this failure?

I think the reapplication response is a much better way to sell yourself and talk about what you have done between your first application and now. I get to know you and what drives you to succeed, and I get a mini rundown of your application and what you feel are your strengths.