What types of things do you guys talk about when a question asks about a challenging situation you have been through. Idk whats the best example to use
Hiya
@deeja 
This is a really common question that comes up both in interviews and written applications. I remember how challenging it could be to choose the right example – sometimes it felt like I couldn’t be entirely honest about the personal challenges I had actually faced. Using a strictly professional example often felt less genuine. That said, there are a few ways you can approach these types of questions.
Firstly, it’s entirely up to you how much you want to share in a written application. If you’re considering a deeply personal example, it’s worth thinking about how it might come across. There’s no "one-size-fits-all" approach, so the key is to share something that you feel comfortable with and confident in presenting. When structuring your answer, I'd try to keep the following in mind:
- Describe the situation clearly. Give enough detail to explain the situation/context, but don’t spend too long on the background.
- Focus on the key challenge. What were the main obstacles you faced? How did they affect you? When discussing the impact of the situation, try to be as factual as possible.
- Discuss your approach to the challenge. What did you do to handle the challenge? Here, it's important to really highlight the the reasoning behind your choices or the actions you took in the situation.
- Share any outcome and mention your personal growth. How did this experience help you grow or shape the way you approach challenges today?
As for the types of examples you might use, I've spoken to applicants who've successfully discussed some of the following in their own applications:
- Academic challenges: Perhaps you had a difficult course or project that pushed you out of your comfort zone. You could talk about how you managed your time, sought help, or dealt with setbacks.
- Work-related experiences: This could be about handling a demanding project, resolving a team conflict, or stepping into a leadership role when others weren’t available.
- Personal challenges: If you're comfortable, you could discuss a personal experience, like managing a tough period in your life, balancing responsibilities, or overcoming unexpected changes.
- Group work or teamwork: If you’ve worked in teams or groups where there were disagreements or conflicting ideas, explaining how you navigated those situations can show problem-solving and communication skills.
- Volunteer or extracurricular activities: If you’ve taken part in activities outside of work or school, there might be examples where you took initiative, handled responsibilities, or dealt with challenges. I've read applications where people have discussed the challenges of travelling and living in a foreign country, or doing an activity that was incredibly demanding from a physical standpoint.
Ultimately, the goal is to show that you can handle difficult situations with a certain level of maturity and self-awareness. If the example is personal, make sure it’s framed in a way that shows the skills and qualities you gained from the experience.
If you have any more questions or need clarification, feel free to ask. I hope this helps! 😊
