Do you have an upcoming job interview? Check out my example answer to the interview question: “Could you have done better in your last job?“
Other questions that require a similar answer are “What would you do differently in your previous position?” or “What could have been done better in work?”
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The reason why interviewers ask this question is to see if you are self-critical and able to review your work performance. They’d like to see candidates that have learned from previous mistakes and require as little training and guidance as possible. Down below you can find a great example answer:
#1 Example Answer
“In the beginning, it was a ‘learn by doing’ experience and mistakes were inevitable. There was probably something I could have done better but nothing of any major consequence really comes to mind. Perhaps, in retrospect, I could have been more productive, but I certainly wasn’t as refined as I am right now.
Self-help books like “Getting Things Done” by David Allen and “The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey really helped to brush up my productivity skills. I’ve learned some smart and logical techniques to prioritize and boost productivity. Have you read some of these self-help books?”
#2 Example Answer
“I definitely could have done things better in my previous job. I do, however, realize that mistakes are inevitable in the initial stage. In the beginning, it was a process of ‘learn by doing’ that helped me become a well-rounded and more experienced [Job title], especially when it comes to [Task 1] and [Task 2] listed in the job description. Nowadays, I make sure to not repeat the same mistakes and focus on the solution and not the problem.”
TIPS
√ Do show signs of self-awareness and self-improvement and try to make the conversation interactive. Mention some well known tools and techniques and ask if they know them as well.
X Don’t go into details about a problem that led to major consequences. It’s not the place to confess all of your shortcomings because then you’ll only cast yourself in a negative light.
