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How to Answer the Tell Me About a Time You Failed Question
Description
In this episode, Lucas and Luna tackle one of the most dreaded interview questions: 'Tell me about a time you failed.' They break down why this question matters, how to choose the right failure story, and the specific structure that turns a mistake into a demonstration of growth. Using real-world examples — including a project manager who lost a $2 million client account and a marketing coordinator who launched a campaign with a critical typo — Lucas explains the 'STAR + L' framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lesson) and why the lesson is the most important part. Luna pushes back on common advice about avoiding 'too big' failures, and they discuss how to gauge the interviewer's intent. Practical tips include how to own responsibility without being self-deprecating, what to do if your failure is still fresh, and why showing vulnerability can actually build trust. Whether you're interviewing for your first job or a senior leadership role, this episode gives you a repeatable method for turning failure into your strongest answer.