When it comes to interviews, there are certain questions that can trip us up if we’re not prepared for them. “What would you have done differently in your last job?” is one of those questions. Answering this question well can be the key to nailing the interview and landing the job.
There are a few things to keep in mind when answering this question. First, don’t speak negatively about your previous employer. Second, don’t focus on the things that you didn’t like about the job. Instead, focus on the things that you would have liked to have done differently. For example, maybe you would have liked to have taken on more responsibility or had more opportunity to learn new things.
Answering this question well can show the interviewer that you’re reflective and that you’re always looking to improve. It can also help to set you apart from the other candidates. So, when you’re next asked this question in an interview, take a deep
Example answers for “What would you do differently?”
“If I could change something, I would go back to college and add an information technology minor to my business major. …
“I once had the chance to take the lead on a big project. …
“I wouldn’t have quit my last job when I did. …
“I would make my career change earlier.
Looking back what would you have done differently | Improvising interview skills | 21 days
Corlena Bailey, professionally called Natesha
Do you have any regrets? and “If you could go back in time, what would you do differently” seem like unfair questions to ask during a job interview. Employers may ask you this question to gauge your awareness of any potential flaws in your life, because after all, everyone makes mistakes. You could choose to respond to this question by stating that you have no regrets in life for a particular reason. But so that you don’t come across as cocky, you should let them know that you have made errors and that you have used those lessons to get better. Be clear about the mistake and what you have learned. A hazy, general response gives the impression that you are concealing something or that you did something you should be ashamed of. You can also choose a flaw or regret that is both professional and wouldn’t interfere with your ability to do your job.
Here is an example response: I wish my goals had been more distinct earlier in my career, as I found myself switching between temporary positions as I tried to figure it out. However, I learned a lot of skills from those jobs that I otherwise wouldn’t have, and they have helped me in my current job. ”.
Tell us in the comments if you’re hesitant to respond to this question or if you have a bold response.
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7 sample answers to “What would you do differently in your last job?” interview question
I would try to create a better connection with both my superiors and subordinates. Speaking honestly, I feel that we lacked constructive feedback in the workplace. Instead of talking openly about minor issues, we often let them escalated to bigger problems. And that’s because people were sort of afraid of expressing their opinion on the work of their colleagues. The working culture in the company did not favor such an approach, but I do not want to look for excuses. From my position, I could have made a difference, speaking up in the meetings, but I did not do it. Anyway, what happened happened, and I can assure you I won’t make the same mistake in my new job.
I would do many things differently. At the same time, however, I know I couldn’t do them any differently. It was my very first job, a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. Of course I made mistakes, in my daily work, in the way I treated my schedule, in my approach to setting goals. At the same time, however, I got no training and had to learn things on the go. It is a great but hard school, and you will always make mistakes. This is something I accepted, and believe that I fared quite well, considering everything I’ve been against. Now, two years older and two years more experienced, I am sure I won’t repeat the same mistakes again.
Well, I would just take back that one unlucky day which cost me my job. You know, I am responsible, and I normally do not drink, but on some days you realize you are just a human being, and cannot sustain everything. When my long time girlfriend left me, all of the sudden, I went for a couple of drinks. Well, a bit more than a couple. It was just a hard pill to swallow. Then I made another mistake–going to work the next morning. I knew the workload was heavy, and didn’t want to left my colleague alone on the shift. And so I went, thinking nobody would spot anything–how stupid I was! The manager brought the breath analyzer, the result was horrible, and I lost my job… I am still a bit sad about it, but I also understand we have to move on in life. Lesson learned, I am now looking for a new opportunity in your retail store.
This is my first job application, so I cannot talk about any former jobs. However, I want to assure you that I am ready to accept responsibility for my mistakes, and learn from them. I also want to say that I take this opportunity very responsibly, want to try my best, and definitely hope to avoid making mistakes that would prove costly for your business.
I would change nothing. Look, in each moment of our life, we are who we are, know what we know, and live in the circumstances of the given moment. We make exactly the decisions we have to make, and it cannot be any otherwise. At least that’s how I see it. Looking back, I definitely consider some of my managerial decisions wrong. But I am also aware that I could not decide in any other way, with my level of knowledge and experience back then. Everything happens for a reason, and is a part of a learning process. That’s how I see it, and I am glad for the wrong decisions, because they eventually helped me become a better manager.
I would definitely spend my time more efficiently. In my last job we had many meetings, I received dozens of emails daily, and on some days I spent 70% of my working time just communicating with colleagues. Do not take me wrong though–communication is important, especially in small agile teams. But everything should have some limits. The core of the job is the hard work in front of my computer screen, programing, and not talking. And I definitely want to remember the lesson in my new employment, hopefully with your corporation.
If I could turn back the clock, I would have not accepted the job at the first place. Back then I was struggling with money, and needed a job urgently. Got a chance to interview for this place in a restaurant, but did not do a good research, did not verify the claims of the managers, and so on. Eventually I ended up working more hours and earning less, in conditions that didn’t really meet my expectations when it comes to a decent job. Eventually I quit, but I learned a lot from this experience. Now I did a proper research, handpicked your place from many job offers, and am glad to have an opportunity to interview with you today.
Honesty will bring you a long way in your interviews
Job interview is a sales talk. We make an effort to present ourselves in the best possible way by discussing our advantages, accomplishments, and goals. Does it make sense to keep talking about the mistakes we made at our previous job instead of saying that we wouldn’t do anything differently?
First of all, the people who are interviewing you have experience working in the corporate world. They have had enough, learned from their own mistakes, and are aware that there is no such thing as a perfect employee. They aren’t looking for one either. However, they are looking for a worker who is willing to discuss these topics openly during interviews, admits making mistakes, accepts responsibility, and learns from the past. Honesty is a highly sought-after quality in the employment market.
Why weren’t your grades better?
If you made it to the interview stage, its likely that you fulfill the basic criteria for the position, including the educational requirements. The recruiter may be trying to judge how you handle stressful situations, or if youre able to handle the demands of the job.
This is your chance to explain your lower grade point average and focus the interviewers attention on your experiences (class projects, internships, volunteer work, and leadership positions within campus organizations). Try to put a positive spin on the question. For example, tell them about how your first semester was spent adjusting the new world of college, but your grades have improved every semester since.
Sample response: I have always believed that education was a combination of academic pursuits and real-life experiences. Although I studied, went to class consistently, and participated in many discussions, there were times when my focus was on gaining experience in marketing. For example, if you look at my transcript, youll notice that the semester I was a promotions intern for the LPGA, my GPA dipped slightly. I was also very active in campus organizations and volunteer work throughout my four years at Stetson. My combined experiences during college both inside and outside the classroom taught me a lot about the professional skills needed to succeed in the world of marketing, such as time management, teamwork, and communication.
FAQ
How do you answer what could you have done differently?
Tips for Giving the Best AnswerConvert potential flaws into opportunities to learn. Focus on the positive rather than the regret or what you would have done differently. Talk about how you’d handle the situation now. It can be beneficial to discuss how you would handle a similar circumstance right now. Be honest.
What would you do differently Sample answer?
Here is an example response: I wish my goals had been more distinct earlier in my career, as I found myself switching between temporary positions as I tried to figure it out. However, I learned a lot of skills from those jobs that I otherwise wouldn’t have, and they have helped me in my current job. ”.
What are the things you would do differently?
10 Things You Can Do Differently TodayChange your routine. Sometimes all we need to do to improve our lives is to make a change to a daily habit that hasn’t been effective for a while. Eat better. Have a real conversation. De-clutter. Exercise. Listen more. Have some fun. Enjoy the journey.
What do you think we could do better or differently interview question?
Instead of focusing on the HR or interview process, this question asks what you think the company could do better overall. This suggests that you should concentrate on a product or service improvement that you believe would benefit the company or create a work environment that is even more engaging.
