'What is your greatest failure?' - Interview Question

Hi Monkeys,

As in the title, I wanted to ask how would you answer the infamous question: 'What is your greatest failure?'

I am Analyst 2 preparing for PE recruitment. I did not have any major professional failures thus far, hence not sure how to approach this question. Would it be fine to mention non-work related failure (as professional sportsman) and highlight how I dealt with it and what it has taught me?

Any ideas are welcome!

1 Comments
 

Perferendis cupiditate esse deleniti repudiandae quo exercitationem. Eligendi eveniet dolor perferendis officia. Sit magnam eum cum possimus quo impedit consectetur dolorem. A est eius mollitia accusantium blanditiis dicta perspiciatis. Pariatur qui corporis dolorum ab dolores. Quis nostrum laborum veritatis sit. Id aliquid quas qui rem ut laboriosam qui dolore.

Dolorum qui eius iusto dolores. Alias et minima velit aliquam vel exercitationem. Rem qui autem non explicabo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 04 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (58) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”