INTERVIEW QUESTION - Are you a risk taker?

A tricky question to answer but it all depends on the type of

company or organisation you are applying to join. If the
company is a well-established, steady organisation that has
achieved its success over a long period of time, building a
reliable name for itself, then it is wise to veer on the side of
safety and state that you are not a great risk taker.

However, if the company or organisation has recently started

up and is competing in a highly competitive industry then a
level of risk taking may be commensurate to this role. If you do
decide to say that you are a risk taker then it is a good idea to
give examples of calculated risks that you have taken. Make
certain that you emphasise that you would not take a risk
unless you were positive of a successful outcome, and that you
would never jeopardise the company. It is always best to seek
advice from Senior Managers if unsure and this is something
that you would always do unless you were certain of the
outcome.

Sample response for a company/role that requires a level

of risk-taking

“If the situation requires then I am not averse to taking risks.

However, the risks that I do take are always carefully thought
through and focused on achieving the goal. I would always
look, wherever possible, to consult my manager before taking
the risk. In a previous role I was required to take risks on a
weekly basis. However, those risks were always carefully
calculated and veered on the side of caution. With regards to
Health and Safety matters I would never take any risks and I
would certainly never breach confidentiality.”

Sample response for a company/role that does not require

a level of risk-taking
“No I don’t take risks, especially when work is involved. I
always follow company rules and procedures and if I’m ever
unsure of something I will always seek clarification first from a
line manager or senior member of the team. I’ve seen people
take risks at work before, and they usually end up going wrong.
In terms of Health and Safety, I would never take risks. I would
hate to be part of a situation at work where a member of the
team became injured because somebody was taking risks or
shortcuts. If I witnessed somebody doing something that they
shouldn’t be doing, then I would have to say something and
inform my supervisory manager.”