Tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work. How did you handle it?

Sample answer to the question

One time, I made a mistake at work when I accidentally spilled a tray of drinks while serving guests in a crowded restaurant. It was definitely embarrassing, but I immediately took responsibility for my mistake. I apologized to the guests and offered to clean up the mess right away. I quickly notified the manager about the incident and helped to clean up the area. I also ensured that the affected guests received replacement drinks and provided them with exceptional service for the rest of their visit to make up for the inconvenience.

A more solid answer

During my time working as a steward, I once made a mistake in handling a large order for a banquet event. The order wasn't prepared correctly, and when it was time to serve the guests, there wasn't enough food to go around. I immediately realized my mistake and took ownership of it. I quickly informed the kitchen staff and the banquet manager about the issue and worked together with them to come up with a solution. We managed to arrange for additional food to be prepared in a timely manner, ensuring that all the guests were served without any further inconvenience. I also personally apologized to the guests and provided them with exceptional service throughout the rest of the event to make up for the mistake.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides a more detailed and comprehensive response to the mistake made at work. It includes specific details about the mistake, the actions taken to rectify it, and the measures taken to ensure customer satisfaction. However, it can still be improved by addressing all the evaluation areas and providing more specific examples.

An exceptional answer

In my previous role as a steward, there was a time when I accidentally mixed up two customer orders. One customer ordered a steak cooked medium-rare, while another ordered it well-done. Unfortunately, I mistakenly switched the plates and served the steak cooked to the wrong customer. As soon as I realized the mistake, I approached both customers and sincerely apologized for my error. I immediately took action to rectify the situation by offering to prepare a fresh steak for the customer who received the incorrect order while ensuring that the other customer's steak was cooked to their preference. I took full responsibility for my mistake and made sure both customers were satisfied with the outcome. Additionally, I reported the incident to the manager and proposed implementing a system for double-checking orders to prevent similar mistakes in the future.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer goes above and beyond by providing a detailed and specific example of a mistake made at work and how it was handled. It demonstrates strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a proactive approach to preventing future mistakes. The candidate takes full responsibility for the mistake and takes appropriate actions to rectify the situation and ensure customer satisfaction. It also addresses all the evaluation areas mentioned in the job description.

How to prepare for this question

Reflect on past work experiences and identify any mistakes made. Think about how you handled those situations and the lessons learned.
Consider examples where you took ownership of the mistake, communicated effectively with others involved, and ensured customer satisfaction.
Practice your response to this question to ensure you can effectively communicate the details of the mistake and the steps taken to handle it.
Highlight your ability to learn from mistakes and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Discuss any strategies or systems you have used or would propose.

What interviewers are evaluating

Good communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Team player with a positive attitude