“What has been your greatest disappointment in life?” is a popular question used in job interviews. The interviewer will use your response to this question to assess how quickly you become discouraged, how you recover from bad experiences, and if you accept responsibility for navigating difficult situations. This sort of inquiry is also used by interviewers to explore for shortcomings in your personal or professional life that may disclose flaws that restrict your effectiveness on the job.
How to Answer the Question
Employers may be more lenient with you if the context of your dissatisfaction is left open-ended. One effective technique in this instance is to avoid mentioning a workplace letdown. You may discuss a more personal disappointment, such as a parent’s premature death or an event that altered your academic or professional aspirations.
Use an example that isn’t directly connected to the tasks of the position for which you’re seeking if you discuss a work letdown.
It’s also fine if you haven’t experienced the “biggest” disappointment. Provide an example of a particularly unpleasant encounter, or explain more broadly how you would manage a challenging situation in that scenario.