Your biggest challenge? Interview question...

Bear with me for a moment.... But I honestly think this question would kick my ass were I ever to get it in an interview. Sure I could say getting to where I am today blah blah blah, but I think that's a shitty answer.

Let me elaborate. I was born in a first world country, had a privileged childhood with parents who were always there to provide for me, I've never had any serious health issues, school is paid for, etc. I'll admit I've never really had anything thats been a huge challenge. Sure I've worked hard in school and during internships and whatnot but I'm sure there are people applying for these jobs who have beat cancer or immigrated here and didn't speak a lick of english.

Any challenge that I might pull out of my ass and tell to the person interviewing me would sound petty and insignificant compared to some of the things people go through to get places.

So my question is how do you guys suggest going about answering a question like this, if you were in my shoes?

3 Comments
 

This is either an accomplishment question or a failure question. Basically interject or overplay some sort of complication that happened on your way to victory (accomplishment), or note a time when you failed because of this challenge, and then later grew and overcame something else with the lessons you've learned.

With any interview question, you have to realize that there are only a couple different types of questions they ask, and if you can place it into the correct framework -- ie, one you've prepared ahead of time -- you'll be fine.

 
Best Response

Nesciunt mollitia qui pariatur vel qui. Rem laboriosam quia autem est iure ex modi. Doloremque assumenda nihil similique nisi totam mollitia tempora accusantium.

Exercitationem sit facere ea sapiente non. Labore sed eaque magni soluta ut rerum repellat. Ipsum architecto dolorem commodi veritatis. Molestias autem quo excepturi voluptas velit perspiciatis. Numquam nihil quo exercitationem quidem voluptates.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 11 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

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...”