What do you think about taking risks?

GENERAL INTERVIEW QUESTION

By Christophe Paka | April 15, 2025 | 4 min read

   

What Do You Think About Taking Risks? A Deep Dive into an Interview Question That Could Change Your Career 🚀

Have you ever been faced with the question, “What do you think about taking risks?” in an interview? If so, you're not alone. This question might seem unexpected, but it’s a powerful tool for interviewers to evaluate your decision-making process, risk tolerance, and readiness to navigate uncertain situations.

In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about answering this frequently asked interview question, including insights on job interview risk tolerance and interview preparation taking risks. By the end of the post, you’ll be armed with practical strategies to tackle one of the most challenging yet rewarding interview questions. Let’s dive in! 💡

Introduction: Understanding the “Taking Risks” Interview Question

Modern workplaces are evolving at lightning speed, and employers seek professionals who can confidently balance innovation and caution. When interviewers ask, “What do you think about taking risks?” they are not just testing your ability to leap into the unknown; they’re assessing your capacity to evaluate, manage, and learn from uncertainty.

Why Is This Question Important?

  • Risk Assessment: Employers want to ensure that you have a thoughtful approach to risk management.
  • Innovation vs. Caution: It highlights whether you can innovate while weighing potential negative outcomes.
  • Decision-Making: Your response reveals how you prioritize and make decisions under pressure.
  • Cultural Fit: It shows if you’re someone who can thrive in a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable work environment.

Common Variations of the Question

Understanding the different forms this question can take is essential. Examples include:

  • “Can you tell me about a time you took a calculated risk?”
  • “How do you handle situations that require risk-taking?”
  • “What’s your approach to risk management in your career?”
  • “Describe a situation where you made a decision with uncertain outcomes.”

The interviewer might mix up the wording, but the core idea remains the same: they’re looking for insights into your risk tolerance and your ability to think strategically.

The STAR Method: A Roadmap for Your Answer 🎯

One proven strategy for answering behavioral interview risk questions is the STAR method. STAR stands for:

  • Situation: Briefly describe the context or background of the scenario.
  • Task: Explain the challenge or opportunity you faced.
  • Action: Detail the steps you took to address the challenge.
  • Result: Conclude with the outcomes of your actions including what you learned.

Using the STAR method can provide structure to your response, ensuring you cover key elements such as:

  • Calculated Decision-Making: Emphasize research and measured risk-taking.
  • Reflection: Mention what you learned from the experience.
  • Positive Outcomes: Highlight how the risk led to beneficial results for your team or organization.

Exploring the Rationale Behind the Question

When an interviewer asks, “What do you think about taking risks?”, they aren't asking for a risky stunt story. Instead, they aim to determine if you are a balanced professional capable of handling both the excitement and the responsibilities associated with risk-taking.

What Employers Are Really Asking

  • Risk vs. Reward: Can you explain how you weigh potential benefits against possible downsides?
  • Decision-Making Under Pressure: How well do you perform when the outcome is uncertain?
  • Innovation: Are you willing to challenge the status quo, and do you have evidence of doing so successfully?
  • Learning from Failure: Have you learned from failures, and can you articulate that learning process?

By addressing these sub-questions, you’re not just answering a generic “taking risks interview question” but displaying your overall competency as a thoughtful decision-maker.

Good vs. Bad Responses: Learning from Examples

Let’s take a look at examples of effective and ineffective answers to this question. Analyzing these can further refine your interview strategy.

Bad Response Example: The Reckless Gambler

Candidate Response:
"I love taking risks. I once left my job on a whim and traveled the world for a year. It was an incredible experience, and I always say you need to take risks to truly live."

Why It Falls Short:

  • Lack of Context: The response doesn’t tie the risk to professional growth or a calculated decision.
  • Reckless Behavior: It suggests impulsivity rather than strategic thinking, which can be off-putting to employers looking for reliability.
  • No Outcome Details: There’s no discussion of the results or learning from the action.

Good Response Example: The Calculated Risk-Taker

Candidate Response:
"I believe in taking calculated risks. For example, in my previous role, I proposed a new marketing strategy that deviated from our standard approach. I conducted extensive research, outlining potential risks and rewards before presenting the idea to my team. We implemented the strategy, and ultimately, it resulted in a 30% increase in customer engagement while also opening new revenue streams. This experience taught me the value of balancing innovation with thorough planning."

Why It Works:

  • Detailed Analysis: The candidate explains how and why they made the decision, showcasing risk management interview answer techniques.
  • Measured Approach: Emphasizes research and planning—key elements of a responsible approach to risk.
  • Positive Outcome: The mention of tangible benefits demonstrates that the candidate’s risk-taking led to success.
  • Learning Experience: They reflect on what the process taught them, reinforcing a growth mindset.

When preparing for answering risk questions in interviews, keep these essentials in mind:

  • Showcase Your Process:
    • Explain how you identify, assess, and manage risks.
    • Detail the planning and research you do before implementing a risky decision.

  • Highlight Your Decision-Making Skills:
    • Mention how you weigh benefits against potential negative outcomes.
    • Discuss how you prioritize and make decisions under uncertain conditions.

  • Demonstrate Adaptability and Learning:
    • Share what you've learned from past risky decisions, even if they didn't go as planned.
    • Explain how these experiences influenced your approach to future challenges.

  • Use the STAR Method:
    • Situation: Set the stage with context.
    • Task: Define the difficult decision or risk.
    • Action: Describe the steps you took.
    • Result: Summarize the positive impact and lessons learned.

Crafting Your Answer: Practical Tips for Job Seekers

1. Preparation Is Key

  • Research Your Company:
    Understand the organization’s culture and tolerance for risk.
    Tailor your response to align with their operational style.

  • Reflect on Personal Experiences:
    Identify instances in your past roles where you took calculated risks.
    Prepare a few anecdotes that you can adapt to any variation of the question.

2. Develop a Balanced Narrative

  • Start Positive but Acknowledge Caution:
    Begin by stating that while you’re open to taking risks, you do so with careful analysis and planning.
    Employers appreciate decision-makers who understand that risk-taking isn’t about recklessness.

  • Be Concise and Relevant:
    Keep your answer focused.
    Avoid long-winded stories that stray from the key points of decision-making and risk management.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice

  • Mock Interviews:
    Practice answering this question with a friend or mentor.
    Record yourself to analyze your tone and body language.

  • Feedback Loop:
    Seek constructive criticism from peers.
    Adjust your story to ensure it highlights your strengths and aligns with interview tips for risk-taking.

  • Stay Positive:
    Let enthusiasm for innovation come through, but always stress that your decisions are backed by analysis.

4. Mind Your Tone and Body Language

  • Be Confident:
    Speak clearly and confidently.
    Show that you’re comfortable with discussing both successes and challenges.

  • Eye Contact:
    Maintain good eye contact.
    Confident body language reinforces competence and readiness.

  • Smiling and Gestures:
    A relaxed, friendly demeanor can go a long way.
    Smiling and using purposeful hand gestures help convey enthusiasm and clarity.

Keep Learning

Christophe Paka