Tell me about a time you dealt with a failing project
Last updated: November 25, 2025
Quick Overview
Use the STAR method to answer. Be specific about the situation at Reddit, your actions, and measurable outcomes.
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Use the STAR method to answer. Be specific about the situation at Reddit, your actions, and measurable outcomes.
Behavioral questions at Reddit are weighted heavily in the hiring decision. This question appears in the Behavioral Round and is designed to assess your past experiences and how they align with Reddit's leadership principles and culture.
What the Interviewer Expects
- Share a compelling story with specific details and measurable outcomes
- Demonstrate leadership skills: influence without authority, mentoring, decision-making
- Show empathy and emotional intelligence in conflict situations
- Reflect on lessons learned and how you applied them going forward
- Quantify your impact with concrete metrics where possible
Key Topics to Cover
How to Approach This
- Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
- Be specific about YOUR actions, not just the team outcome.
- Quantify your impact whenever possible (e.g., "reduced latency by 40%").
- Prepare stories for: conflict, failure, ambiguity, leadership, and technical trade-offs.
- Show growth mindset. Explain what you learned and how you changed your approach.
Possible Follow-up Questions
- What would you do differently if you faced this situation again?
- How did you support your team through this situation?
- How did you measure the success of your actions?
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What the Interviewer is Really Asking
The interviewer is assessing your ability to manage a project that is not meeting its goals. They want to evaluate your project management skills, your capacity to prioritize effectively, and your app...
Strong Answer Structure
- Context: Describe the project and why it was critical for Reddit. 2. Challenge: Explain the specific issues that led to the project failing. 3. Actions: Detail the steps you took to add...
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