This can feel like the ultimate trick question. How do you answer this question without hurting your candidacy? Here’s our formula:

1. Define what a mistake is to you.
2. Give an example of a time you made a mistake – be honest.
3. Explain how you fixed the mistake or what you learned from the experience.

Define Mistake: As an account manager, a mistake to me is anytime I don’t meet and/or exceed the client’s expectations.

Story: At a previous job, I was managing over 10 client accounts at once. I had a ton on my plate and they all had pressing deadlines within the same two days. I was overwhelmed and failed to communicate this with the head of account management. I forgot to answer a client’s email about a deadline and they were very upset.

Lesson: Of course, now I know how to gauge what I can handle and what I commit to completing. I also re-evaluated my process for answering emails so no email ever goes unanswered for more than 8 hours. And now I make it a priority to communicate my capacity with my team.

Let’s put it all together:

“As an account manager, a mistake to me is anytime I don’t meet and/or exceed the client’s expectations. At a previous job, I was managing over 10 client accounts at once. I had a ton on my plate and they all had pressing deadlines within the same two days. I was overwhelmed and failed to communicate this with the head of account management. I forgot to answer a client’s email about a deadline and they were very upset. Of course, now I know how to gauge what I can handle and what I commit to completing. I also re-evaluated my process for answering emails so no email ever goes unanswered for more than 8 hours. And now I make it a priority to communicate my capacity with my team.”

Now, you try! To sign up for upcoming career events, click here.