Tell me about a time you failed and how you recovered

Last updated: August 28, 2025

Quick Overview

Use the STAR method to answer. Be specific about the situation at Goldman Sachs, your actions, and measurable outcomes.

Goldman Sachs
Behavioral & Leadership
Machine Learning Engineer
Goldman Sachs
August 28, 2025
Machine Learning Engineer
Behavioral Round
Behavioral & Leadership
Easy

17

3

4,264 solved


Use the STAR method to answer. Be specific about the situation at Goldman Sachs, your actions, and measurable outcomes.

During the Behavioral Round at Goldman Sachs, behavioral questions like this one help interviewers assess your collaboration skills, decision-making process, and growth mindset. They want evidence of impact, not just participation.

What the Interviewer Expects
  • Provide a clear, structured response using the STAR method
  • Share a genuine example from your professional experience
  • Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn
  • Show how the experience shaped your current approach
Key Topics to Cover
Growth mindset and learning from failure
Project management and prioritization
Cross-functional collaboration
STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
How to Approach This
  1. Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
  2. Be specific about YOUR actions, not just the team outcome.
  3. Quantify your impact whenever possible (e.g., "reduced latency by 40%").
  4. Prepare stories for: conflict, failure, ambiguity, leadership, and technical trade-offs.
  5. Show growth mindset. Explain what you learned and how you changed your approach.
Possible Follow-up Questions
  • What frameworks do you use for making similar decisions now?
  • How did you measure the success of your actions?
  • What was the most challenging part of this experience?
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Sample Answer
How to Structure Your Response

Use the STAR method to structure a clear, compelling answer: **Situation** (2-3 sentences): Set the context. What was the project, team, and stakes? ...

Example Answer Framework

"At my previous company, we were building [specific product/feature] and faced [the specific challenge from the question]. The team was [size] and the...


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