Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work and had to own up to it.

What the interviewer is looking for

• This question tests reliability and integrity. Shows up on time, never marks something delivered that was not, owns mistakes, and follows rules when nobody is watching.
• What to bring out: Admitting it promptly, fixing it, telling the right person, and explaining what they changed.
• Expect a follow-up like: Why do you think honesty matters so much for drivers?

Another way it may be asked: Think of a time you got something wrong, like a delivery to the wrong place. What did you do?

A structure to follow: STAR, with the weight on Action and Result

1. Step 1

   Situation

   One or two sentences: where, when and what was at stake. Pick a real example you were close to.

2. Step 2

   Task

   What you personally were responsible for. Say "I", not only "we", so the reliability and integrity you showed is visible.

3. Step 3

   Action

   The two or three things you did and why you chose them over the alternatives. This should be about half your answer.

4. Step 4

   Result

   What changed, in your own measure of it, and what you would do differently. Only use numbers you can stand behind.

This is guidance on shape, not a script. Use your own real experience and facts; never invent details to fill a gap. See the STAR guide and answer frameworks.

Common slips

• Describing what the team did without saying what you did.
• Choosing an example with no clear outcome, or one you cannot answer detailed questions about.
• Ending on the action and skipping the result and what you learned.

How to practise it

Write two bullet points for each STAR letter, then say the answer aloud in about two minutes.

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• A customer meets you at the door upset that their last package arrived damaged. How do you respond?
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