Question: Describe a time when you incorrectly analyzed a situation or problem. How was the error spotted and what did you learn?

Alternative Question Phrasing:

Can you tell me about a situation where your analysis of a problem was deemed to be incorrect? What would you have done differently?

Follow-up questions:

How did you deal with it?
What did you do when you learn that you are incorrect?
What did you do make this correct?
Were the steps you took correct?
What did you learn from that?
What did it take for you to realize that you were incorrect?

Question Details:

Question Type:

Behavioral

Skills:

Basic – Active Learning,Basic – Learning Strategies,Systems Analysis,Systems Evaluation

Abilities:

Cognitive – Category Flexibility (Mental Flexibility),Cognitive – Information Ordering

Other Factors:

Personality-Team Fit,Self-Awareness

Work Activity (Task):

Information Input – Estimating Characteristics of Objects, Events, or Information,Information Input – Gathering Information,Information Input – Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events,Information Input – Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (for Problem Identification),Mental Processes – Analyzing Data or Information,Mental Processes – Processing Information,Mental Processes – Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge,Work Output – Quality Improvement

Work Context (Person-Job/Team/Org Fit):

Job Structure – Consequence of Error,Job Structure – Work Accuracy (Importance of Being Exact or Accurate)

Work Style (Person-Job Fit):

Analytical Thinking,Attention to Detail,Humility

Question Frequency

Question Difficulty

What to look for in an answer:

To understand the interviewee’s ability to analyze data, and also to see if the interviewee is willing to admit mistakes in their own work.

Red Flags to Watch For:

If the interviewee says that they were never wrong or otherwise does not admit mistakes, it is a red flag.

Sample Answer:

N/A

Question Source: https://www.jobbankusa.com/interview_questions_answers/