Question: Describe a time when you took a risk at work that could have gone horribly wrong, but turned out for the better. What happened and would you do it again?

Alternative Question Phrasing:

When was the last occasion that you took a risk in the workplace, by saying or doing something that could have had adverse repercussions on you, but did not? Was the outcome in the long term favorable?

Follow-up questions:

Question Details:

Question Type:

Behavioral

Skills:

Basic – Active Learning,Basic – Critical Thinking,Basic – Monitoring (Making observations of self and environment),Basic – Science and Logic,Systems – Judgment and Decision Making,Systems Analysis

Abilities:

Cognitive – Category Flexibility (Mental Flexibility),Cognitive – Flexibility of Closure (Pattern Detection),Cognitive – Originality,Cognitive – Perceptual Speed,Cognitive – Problem Sensitivity (Problem Recognition),Cognitive – Speed of Closure (Thinking Speed)

Other Factors:

Big 5 – Agreeableness,Big 5 – Neuroticism (Emotion Regulation),Big 5 – Openness to Experience (Open Mindedness),Candidate Preparedness,Personal Improvement (Growth),Personality-Job Fit,Personality-Organization Fit,Practical Intelligence (Street Smarts),Self-Awareness

Work Activity (Task):

Information Input – Estimating Characteristics of Objects, Events, or Information,Information Input – Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (for Problem Identification),Interacting with Others – Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates,Interacting with Others – Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships,Mental Processes – Analyzing Data or Information,Mental Processes – Developing Objectives and Strategies,Mental Processes – Making Decisions and Solving Problems,Mental Processes – Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work,Mental Processes – Thinking Creatively (Creativity)

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

Interpersonal Relationships – Coordinate or Lead Others,Job Structure – Freedom to Make Decisions

Work Style (Person-Job Fit):

Achievement/Effort (Action/Result Orientation),Adaptability/Flexibility,Analytical Thinking,Assertiveness/Courage,Attention to Detail,Handling Ambiguity,Initiative,Risk Tolerance,Stress Tolerance

Question Frequency

Question Difficulty

What to look for in an answer:

You are looking for the candidate’s courageous behavior while at work.
If the candidate has learnt things that they would implement for future tasks of similar nature.
You are ideally looking for the candidate to say that they will take similar risk in the future, however, with more proper planning and structuring the work.

Red Flags to Watch For:

If the candidate finds themselves to be lucky to have been able to succeed, and did not want to do get into the similar situation again.

Sample Answer:

N/A

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