We’ve all been there—everyone makes mistakes, and interviewers know that, too. But when they ask you about a time you made a mistake, it can still feel like a tricky question to answer. The good news? They’re not looking for perfection. What they really want to know is how you handled the error and, more importantly, how you bounced back and learned from it.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to craft a great response that highlights your ability to learn and grow. Whether you’re fresh out of college or early in your career, we’ll break down exactly what interviewers want to hear and give you some sample answers to help you nail this question with confidence.
Why do interviewers ask about mistakes?
Employers ask this question because they want to know how you handle challenges and tough situations. No matter the job, things are bound to go wrong. What matters most is how you react, learn, and grow from those experiences.
This question helps them figure out a few things about you:
- How do you handle pressure when you mess up?
- Are you willing to admit when you’ve made a mistake?
- Do you learn from your errors and work to improve?
Your response gives the interviewer insight into your problem-solving skills and how well you take responsibility when things don’t go as planned.
How to answer ‘Tell me about a time you made a mistake’
Be honest and choose a real mistake
First things first: don’t try to make up a “perfect” mistake. Interviewers can tell when you’re faking it, and it won’t impress them. Instead, pick a real mistake from your past—whether from a previous job, an internship, or even a class project. It doesn’t have to be a huge failure; it just needs to be a situation where you learned something important.
Pro tip: Choose a mistake that’s relevant to the role you’re applying for. For example, if you’re interviewing for a marketing job, you could talk about a time when you misunderstood a client’s request, but learned how to improve communication moving forward. This makes your example more relatable to the interviewer and shows you can adapt to the specific demands of the job.
Take responsibility
After explaining the mistake, don’t shy away from owning up to it. Blaming others or making excuses will reflect poorly on you. Show that you’re comfortable admitting when you’ve made a mistake, and that you understand how your actions contributed to the situation.
What this shows:
Employers are looking for candidates who can reflect on their behavior and accept responsibility. This tells them that you’re not afraid to admit when something goes wrong and, even more importantly, that you’ll handle problems in the future with integrity.
Example:
“I missed an important deadline during my internship because I didn’t plan my time effectively. I took responsibility and immediately worked with my team to find a solution to get the project back on track.”
Focus on what you learned
Here’s where you can turn a mistake into a strength. Don’t stop at just explaining the error—show how you fixed it, what you learned, and what changes you’ve made since then to avoid repeating it.
Pro tip: Tie your learning moment to the job you’re interviewing for. For example, if your mistake involved poor communication and you’re applying for a project management role, explain how you’ve since implemented new strategies to communicate better with your team.
Example:
“After missing that deadline, I realized I needed to improve my time management skills. I started using project management software to track my tasks and deadlines more effectively. Since then, I’ve never missed another deadline and become much more organized in my work.”
Why this matters:
Employers want to hire people who are self-reflective and take the initiative to improve. By ending your story on a positive note, you show that you don’t just make mistakes—you learn from them and become a better employee because of them.
What to avoid when talking about mistakes you’ve made
- Choosing a huge mistake: Don’t discuss a major error that caused significant damage (e.g., losing a client or a big financial issue).
- Blaming others: Avoid shifting responsibility to coworkers or circumstances. Always own your part in the mistake.
- Mentioning personal issues: Stay away from personal mistakes that make you look unprofessional, like being late to work often.
- Dwelling on the negative: Focus on what you learned, not on the mistake itself. Keep the tone positive and forward-looking.
- Giving a “perfect” mistake: Don’t make up a fake mistake that sounds flawless. Be honest and authentic.
Sample answers to ‘Tell me about a time you made a mistake’
Example for a young professional
“In my first year as a financial analyst, I made an error in one of my reports by overlooking a small but important data point. It caused a minor discrepancy in the financial projections for a client’s presentation. Once I realized the mistake, I immediately brought it to my manager’s attention and worked late to correct the report before the client meeting. Since then, I’ve implemented a double-check system where I review all data entries carefully before submitting any reports. This experience taught me the importance of attention to detail and verifying my work thoroughly to avoid errors.”
Why this works:
This answer demonstrates accountability, quick action to resolve the mistake, and a proactive approach to preventing future errors by creating a new process. It also highlights a key skill in the finance industry—attention to detail.
Example for a recent grad
“During my senior year, I was leading a group project and misunderstood one of the assignment’s requirements. As a result, we were behind schedule, and I realized I hadn’t clarified some important points with the professor. I owned up to the mistake with my group, stayed late to make the necessary changes, and reached out to the professor to confirm the adjustments. We ended up finishing on time and received a good grade. This taught me the value of asking questions early and ensuring clear communication from the start.”
Why this works:
This answer highlights a real mistake, shows responsibility, and demonstrates growth by learning the importance of communication and clarifying expectations.