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Tell me about a time you exceeded expectations.

DifficultybehavioralAsked at Amazon

Question Explain

This question is aimed at understanding your ability to go beyond the basic requirements of your role. An interviewer wants to grasp your level of initiative, work ethic, and problem-solving skills. They're interested in understanding how you define "expectations" and what strategies you undertake to exceed these expectations. When answering, you should focus on a clear, specific instance where you went above and beyond the required task. The best responses should follow the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action and Result) to provide a full picture of your achievement. Additionally, focus on actions that had a significant impact on a project or the company, quantifying the results where possible.

Answer Example 1

In my previous role as a sales associate, part of my job was to meet a quota of 10 sales per month. I realized that to exceed expectations, I needed to utilize my free time to gain knowledge about our products, learn more about our competitors, and develop new sales strategies. In one month I implemented one of the strategies I had devised, which prioritized active listening to customers to better tailor the product to their needs. This led to a 50% increase in sales for that month, reaching 15 sales instead of the required 10. The strategy was subsequently adopted by my team".

Answer Example 2

While working as a project manager, I was assigned a project that was initially scheduled to last a year from inception to launch. After reviewing the project timeline, I noticed several processes that could be streamlined by adjusting the team assignments and implementing new management software. After discussing these changes with my team, we decided to move forward with them, and as a result, we were able to complete the project two months ahead of schedule, saving the company valuable resources. This achievement earned me an 'Employee of the Year' award for my initiative and leadership."

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