Adversity is a difficult circumstance that tests perseverance, positivity, and sustained effort. In an interview, an adversity question usually asks whether you can stay driven and succeed when work becomes difficult. section 4.10
Build an answer around a real situation and make your response show:
- The difficult circumstance you faced, such as a demanding work situation, a layoff, the COVID pandemic, a sales quota, or a personal challenge. section 4.10 section 4.11
- The actions you took to stay motivated, manage your emotions, overcome obstacles, and keep a positive outlook. section 4.11
- The result and the way the experience made you a better candidate. section 4.11
A sales candidate’s personal-drive story
Jen connects her motivation to concrete experiences: selling Girl Scout cookies for six years, finding customers beyond her family, studying products intensively, and meeting or exceeding quarterly targets after starting in sales. The details make her claim of drive more credible than a general statement about being ambitious. section 4.11
