Making decisions is a big part of any job. That’s why hiring managers often ask, “What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?” They want to understand your thought process and if they can trust your judgment. The decisions you find hard to make also tell them about what you value. Do you care most about helping customers? Doing quality work? Maybe making things more efficient? There’s no right or wrong answer, but they want to see if what’s important to you matches what’s important to the company.
They might ask this question in other ways, like:
- Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision.
- What’s the hardest decision you’ve had to make?
In this guide, we’ll show you how to let interviewers know they can trust you to make good decisions and handle the job well. We’ll help you share your approach to tough choices so you can show that your values fit with the organization’s priorities.
What hiring managers want to know about your decision-making
When interviewers ask about hard choices, they don’t just want to know why a decision is difficult for you. They want to hear how you actually made that tough choice and what happened afterward. So, pick a real example you can talk about, like doing the right thing even when it’s not easy or making a decision you knew might not be popular.
Interviewers are also curious about how you handle challenges. Making a tough decision isn’t always fun, and your answer shows them how you act when things get hard. They want to see if you can take on difficult tasks and still do a good job. By sharing your experience, you can show them that you’re ready to face challenging situations and make smart choices.
How to answer “What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?”
Identify a key quality that fits the job description
First, think about a positive trait that matches the job you’re applying for. Look at the job description to find clues. For example, if the role needs a leader, you might focus on being calm under pressure. If the job involves handling money, you could highlight your careful decision-making with finances.
Recall a real-life story that highlights this quality
Next, remember a time when you used this quality to make a tough decision. Let’s say you chose being calm under pressure. You might tell a story about a time when everyone else was stressed, but you stayed cool and took charge. Explain why the decision was hard. Maybe you were nervous, didn’t have much experience, faced a tight deadline, or had other challenges in your way.
For example, “In my last group project at school, we had a big presentation, and our team leader got sick the day before. Everyone was panicking. I decided to step up and lead. Even though I was nervous and had never led before, I organized our team, assigned tasks, and we worked through the night to prepare.”
Explain how you made your decision step by step
After setting up the story, share how you figured out what to do. Did you list the pros and cons? Talk to others for advice? Use facts and numbers to help you decide?
Continuing the example: “To make sure we covered everything, I wrote down all the parts of the presentation we needed to finish. I asked each team member what they felt comfortable handling. We divided the work based on our strengths. I also checked our progress every few hours to keep us on track.”
Share the positive outcome of your decision
Finish your answer by telling what happened in the end. Ideally, your story should have a happy ending that shows you made a good choice.
“For instance, our presentation went really well. The teacher praised us for our teamwork and problem-solving. We got an A, and my classmates thanked me for leading during a tough time.”
Connect your story back to the job
Lastly, explain how this experience makes you a good fit for the job you’re interviewing for.
You can say, “This experience taught me how to stay calm and lead when things don’t go as planned. I believe these skills would help me in this role, especially when facing tight deadlines or unexpected challenges.”
How not to answer
Don’t give a general answer without a real example
Avoid talking about a type of decision without sharing a real story from your experience. Simply saying, “I find decisions about managing people difficult,” doesn’t tell the interviewer much about how you handle such situations.
For example, if you haven’t had leadership experience, mentioning that managing people is challenging might not be the best idea. This could highlight your lack of experience in that area.
Don’t focus on areas where you lack experience or confidence
Be careful not to choose a type of decision that emphasizes something you’re not comfortable with or haven’t done before. For instance, if you’ve never dealt with budgeting, saying that financial decisions are tough for you might raise concerns.
Avoid negative language or complaints
Don’t use this question to complain about past jobs, bosses, or coworkers. Saying something like, “I struggle when management doesn’t give clear instructions,” can come across as blaming others.
Sample answers to “What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make?”
Example #1
“I think the hardest decisions are when I have to choose between two good options. For example, at my last job, we had a supplier who knew us well and gave great service. Then, a new supplier offered us the same products at a lower price. I had to decide whether to stay with our current supplier or switch to save money. I thought a lot about things like service quality, trust, and cost. In the end, I chose to stay with our current supplier because their reliability was more valuable than the savings. This decision was tough, but it taught me how important it is to look at all sides before making a choice.”
Why this works:
This answer shows you can handle complex decisions by carefully weighing pros and cons. It highlights your ability to think beyond immediate benefits and consider long-term relationships and quality. You demonstrate analytical thinking and a focus on what’s best for the company, not just what’s easiest or cheapest.
Example #2
“For me, the most difficult decisions are those that affect other people’s lives. Once, as a team leader, I had to decide whether to let a team member go because they weren’t meeting their goals. Everyone liked this person, but their work was slowing down the team. I tried to help by giving feedback and support, but things didn’t improve. In the end, I decided to let them go. It was really hard because I knew it would impact them personally. But I realized it was the best choice for the team. This experience taught me the importance of making fair decisions, even when they’re tough.”
Why this works:
This answer demonstrates empathy and leadership. You show that you care about people but are also willing to make hard choices for the greater good. It highlights your problem-solving skills and your ability to handle difficult conversations professionally. You also show that you take responsibility seriously and strive for the team’s success.
Example #3
“I find the hardest decisions are when I have to balance my responsibilities. In my last semester at college, I was working part-time while finishing my thesis. One week, my boss asked me to take extra shifts right before a big project was due. I knew I couldn’t do both well. I had to decide whether to help out at work or focus on my studies. I chose to talk to my boss about my situation. We found a solution where I covered some shifts but also had time to complete my project. It was tough to speak up, but it taught me the value of communication and prioritizing tasks.”
Why this works:
This answer is relatable for young professionals. It shows you can manage time and priorities effectively. You demonstrate responsibility by wanting to help at work but also recognize the importance of your academic commitments. By communicating openly, you found a solution that worked for everyone. This highlights your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with maturity.
By sharing these examples, you’re showing the interviewer that you can handle tough decisions thoughtfully and responsibly. Each story includes:
- A specific situation that presents a difficult choice.
- An explanation of why the decision was challenging, giving insight into your thought process.
- The steps you took to make the decision, showing your problem-solving skills.
- A positive outcome or lesson learned, highlighting your ability to grow from experiences.
These answers work because they are honest, show self-awareness, and relate directly to skills valuable in the workplace. They demonstrate that you’re prepared to face challenges and make decisions that benefit both you and the organization.