Tell me about a time...
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Tell me about a time you worked successfully in a team.
Tell me about a time you solved a complex problem at work.
Tell me about a time you demonstrated your leadership skills.
Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict with a coworker.
Tell me about a time you had to meet a tight deadline.
Tell me about a time you adapted to a significant change at work.
Tell me about a time you made a mistake and how you handled it.
Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone to see things your way.
Tell me about a time you handled a stressful situation.
Tell me about a time you improved a process or system.
Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer/client.
Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision with limited information.
Tell me about a time you received negative feedback and how you responded.
Tell me about a time you juggled multiple priorities effectively.
Tell me about a time you had to work with someone difficult.
Tell me about a time you took initiative without being asked.
Tell me about a time you failed at a task and what you learned.
Tell me about a time you mentored or trained someone.
Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad news.
Tell me about a time you innovated to overcome a challenge.
Tell me about a time you collaborated with another department/team leader.
Tell me about a time you managed a project from start to finish.
Tell me about a time you had to work under pressure.
Tell me about a time you prioritized tasks when everything seemed urgent.
Tell me about a time you had to learn something new quickly.
Tell me about a time you improved a relationship with a colleague.
Tell me about a time you handled confidential information responsibly.
Tell me about a time you turned down a request (e.g., saying “no” to a stakeholder).
Tell me about a time you used data to make a decision.
Tell me about a time you dealt with an unhappy customer.
Tell me about a time you had to navigate an ethical dilemma.
Tell me about a time you motivated others to achieve a goal.
Tell me about a time you managed a disagreement with your manager.
Tell me about a time you had to work with limited resources.
Tell me about a time you delivered a successful presentation.
Tell me about a time you had to handle unexpected setbacks.
Tell me about a time you advocated for diversity or inclusion in the workplace.
Tell me about a time you negotiated a win-win outcome.
Tell me about a time you took a risk that paid off.
Tell me about a time you had to follow a policy you disagreed with.
Tell me about a time you recovered a failing project.
Tell me about a time you had to simplify a complex idea for others.
Tell me about a time you identified an opportunity others missed.
Tell me about a time you had to work remotely/independently with little oversight.
Tell me about a time you handled a crisis or emergency.
Tell me about a time you contributed to cost-saving measures.
Tell me about a time you built trust with a colleague or client.
Tell me about a time you had to delegate tasks effectively.
Tell me about a time you stayed organized despite chaos.
Tell me about a time you turned a failure into a success.
Tell me about a time you problem solved a conflict between coworkers in your previous role.
Describe a real-life situation where you had to adapt to a sudden change in your work environment.
Share an example of a time you took a leadership role during a team project.
How did you provide insight to improve a process in your last job?
Tell me about a past situation where you used emotional intelligence to motivate a struggling colleague.
How to Answer Tell Me About a Time Interview Questions
Use the STAR interview method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers
STAR is a way to answer job interview questions by telling a short, structured story about your work experience. It helps you explain what you did and why it matters. Here’s what each part means:
- Situation: What was the problem or challenge?
Briefly describe the background.
Example: "My last team was two weeks behind on a client project." - Task: What was your responsibility or goal?
Explain what YOU needed to do.
Example: "My manager asked me to get the team back on track."
- Action: What steps did YOU take?
Focus on your specific actions.
Example: "I had daily check-ins, split tasks based on everyone’s strengths, and worked late to fix errors in the final report." - Result: What was the outcome?
Share the positive result (use numbers if possible!).
Example: "We delivered a day early. The client thanked us and our team got a bonus for great work."
Another Example
Question: "Tell me about a time you fixed a problem at work."
- Situation: "A customer had three damaged orders in a row."
- Task: "I had to fix the issue and keep the customer."
- Action: "I apologized, offered a discount and worked with the shipping team to redesign the packaging."
- Result: "Their next order arrived fine. They left a 5-star review and placed three more orders that month."
Why STAR?
- Easy for interviewers to follow.
- Shows you’re organized and results-oriented.
- Proves you can solve problems and learn from past experiences.
Tip: Improve your communication skills with the STAR structure to sound confident when answering behavioral based interview questions!
Using the STAR technique to answer tell me about a time interview questions and other behavioral interview questions ensures you give a comprehensive and compelling answer for the recruiter or hiring manager.
FAQ Section
How can job seekers prepare for situational questions in the interview process?
Focus on past situations where you demonstrated skills like teamwork, problem-solving, or leadership. Use the STAR method to structure stories from your previous experience.
What career advice would you give for answering behavioral questions?
Always share examples that highlight your thought process and results. For example, “In my last job, I had to [action] which led to [result].”
How does professional development tie into the hiring process?
Employers value candidates who show growth. Talk about trainings, mentorship, or skills you’ve gained to show you’re committed to learning.
Key Takeaways
- Use the STAR method to turn past situations into compelling stories.
- Focus on results: Numbers (e.g., “saved 20% time”) make your previous experience stand out.
- Tailor examples to the open position. If teamwork is key, highlight related questions about collaboration.
- Practice answers to behavioral questions to sound confident and clear.
Checklist for Job Seekers
✅ Research the company’s work environment and values.
✅ Prepare 5-7 STAR stories about past situations (e.g., conflict, success, failure).
✅ Anticipate related questions about management style or professional development.
✅ Practice explaining how your previous experience fits the open position.
More Examples
Interviewer“Tell me about a time you had to problem solve under pressure.”
You:
- Situation: “In my previous role, a client threatened to cancel their contract due to a missed deadline.”
- Task: “I needed to rebuild trust and deliver the project fast.”
- Action: “I provided insight into the delay, reorganized our team’s priorities, and updated the client daily.”
- Result: “We finished the project 3 days early, and the client renewed their contract.”
Describe a time when you had to lead a team through a complex project
Here's a guide to answering situational interview questions like this one.
Describe the situation and why it was difficult
I had to lead a team through a difficult project once when we were short-staffed and under immense pressure to complete the project on time. The project was also complex, so it was challenging to keep everyone on track and moving in the same direction. However, we were able to successfully complete the project by working together and staying focused.
Explain what you did to try and overcome the difficulty
As I mentioned, even though we were short-staffed, I came up with a plan to divide the work so that everyone had a specific task to focus on. I also communicated frequently with team members to ensure that everyone was aware of what was happening and what still needed to be done. Finally, we worked long hours to meet the deadline, but in the end, it was worth it because we were able to complete the project.
Talk about how your team responded and what you learned from the experience
Overall, the team responded well. There were a few hiccups here and there, but for the most part, everyone was on board with the plan and willing to put in the extra work to get the job done.
The main thing I learned from the experience was that even in difficult situations, it is possible to overcome challenges and keep moving forward toward your goal.
Offer advice for anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation in the future
My advice to anyone who has to lead a team through a difficult project is to do these three things:
- Communicate clearly and frequently with your team. Make sure everyone is on the same page and knows what needs to be done.
- Be flexible and willing to adjust your plans as needed. Things will inevitably come up that you didn't anticipate, so be prepared to change course if necessary.
- Lead by example and maintain team motivation!
Finally, don't forget to thank your team for their hard work and dedication - you may be working with them again in the future.
Tell me about a time you failed at work
Here's a step-by-step guide to answer this interview question:
Describe a time when you failed miserably at work and what you learned from it
In my first job, I was responsible for creating a new system to track inventory. I was really confident in my abilities and thought I could do it easily.
However, I soon found out that I was wrong. The system was a complete mess, and it ended up taking me way longer than expected to fix it.
In the end, I learned that I need to be more careful when taking on projects.
Acknowledge that failure is a part of life and everyone experiences it at some point
What I learned from failing was that it is just a part of life. Everyone experiences it at some point, and it's not the end of the world. Instead, it's an opportunity to learn and grow.
I'm now more careful when taking on new projects, and I ensure that I set realistic expectations.
Offer encouragement to others who may be struggling, letting them know that failure is not the end of the world
I would encourage anyone who is struggling to not give up. Failure is not the end of the world. There are plenty of opportunities for growth and learning, no matter what you do.
Keep moving forward and don't let failure stop you from reaching your goals.
My top tips for how to overcome failure and move on with your life are:
- Don't dwell on your failure. Accept it, learn from it, and move on.
- Let go of the negative emotions associated with your failure. Guilt, shame, and regret will only hold you back.
- Take baby steps forward. Don't try to accomplish everything at once. Slowly but surely gets the desired outcome.
Always remember - failure is not permanent, and you can always bounce back from it.
Tell me about a time you went above and beyond
How to answer the interview question: Tell me about a time at work you went above and beyond.- Start by describing the situation and what was expected of you.
- Then, explain how you decided to go above and beyond and why you felt it was important.
- Finally, describe the outcome of your actions and what your boss thought of your work.
Specific examples of going above and beyond expectations at work:
I remember a time at work when I went above and beyond what was expected of me. I was working on a project that was behind schedule, and I decided to work late into the night to get it done as it was important for my boss. My boss was impressed with my dedication, and the project ended up being a success.
Another time, I was assigned to a project that required me to learn a new skill. I took the initiative to learn the skill because nobody else wanted to and ended up impressing my boss with my results.
Finally, there was a time when I was asked to do a task that I didn't necessarily agree with. However, I did it anyway because it was critical to the success of the company. I put the success of the company before my own feelings.
5 ways you can exceed the expectations of your boss:
- Put in extra effort on important projects
- Come up with innovative ideas
- Take on additional tasks willingly
- Handle difficult situations with poise and professionalism
- Be a team player and help others when needed
Related: Questions to ask in an interview
An example of going above and beyond at work
What was the situation? What did you do? What was the outcome?
One time, I was asked to put together a presentation for an important client. Even though it was outside of my usual job duties, I agreed to do it.
I ended up staying late a few nights to get everything just right. The presentation went well, and the client signed up with our company. My boss was impressed with my extra effort and thanked me for it.
Tell me about a time when you exceeded expectations at work.
What was the situation? How did you exceed what was expected of you? What was the final outcome?
I remember when I was working at my old job, and I had to take on a project that I had no experience with.
The project I worked on was called "The XYZ Project." It was a new project that my company was starting, and I was given the task of heading up the marketing efforts for it.
I had never tackled anything like it before, but I did some research and asked for help from my colleagues. I was able to deliver the project on time and under budget.
It felt great to know that I could do more than I thought I was able to. Plus, it made me look good in the eyes of my boss.
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