Tell me about a day when everything seemed to go wrong at once. How did you stay on top of it?

What the interviewer is looking for

• This question tests composure under pressure. Stays calm and methodical when plans fall apart, triages quickly and keeps people informed.
• What to bring out: Gives a specific day, explains how they triaged, communicated and stayed calm, and what they learned.
• Expect a follow-up like: What did you let slip that day, and how did you decide?

Another way it may be asked: Think of a really chaotic day at work. How did you get through it?

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 composure under pressure 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.

Related questions

• Your executive's flight is cancelled the night before a major client presentation in another city. Walk me through what you do.
• Your manager has two important meetings booked at the same time. How do you decide what to do?
• The office printer is broken, supplies are low and a visitor has just arrived. What do you handle first?
• You accidentally see a confidential email about upcoming job cuts. What do you do with that information?
• Walk me through how you would plan a three-day offsite for twenty people with a month's notice.

Browse all questions