Latest / Interview Prep with Fexingo: Behavioral Questions, Case Studies, and Hiring Manager Insights / How to Answer the What Would You Change About Your Career Question
Transcript
- Lucas: So Luna, we've covered a lot of behavioral questions on this show, but there's one that keeps showing up in my inbox from listeners, and it's a bit of a curveball: 'What would you change about your career if you could go back?' Luna: Oh, that one always makes me pause. It's like they're asking you to admit regret, but you don't want to sound like you're dwelling on the past. Lucas: Exactly. And that's the trap. A lot of candidates either get defensive and say 'I wouldn't change a thing'—which can sound arrogant—or they go the other way and start listing all their mistakes, which makes them seem like they lack confidence. Luna: So what's the sweet spot? I'm guessing it's about showing self-awareness but also framing it as a learning experience. Lucas: Right. The question is really testing your ability to reflect, take ownership, and connect your past to your future. Hiring managers want to see if you can turn a negative into a positive, and they also want to gauge whether you're self-aware enough to recognize areas for growth. Luna: And if you say 'nothing,' that's basically telling them you're not open to feedback or growth. Lucas: Exactly. So in this episode, we're going to break down why they ask it, what a strong answer looks like, and a framework you can use to craft your own response. We'll also look at a couple of real-world examples to illustrate the approach. Luna: Let's start with the 'why.' Why do hiring managers even ask this question? Is it just to throw you off? Lucas: Partially, but there's more to it. For one, it reveals your decision-making process. If you say you'd change your major or your first job, they're listening for how you make big choices and how you handle the consequences. It also shows your values—what you prioritize in a career, whether it's learning, work-life balance, impact, or money. Luna: And it can also be a test of your honesty. Some interviewers use it to see if you're comfortable with vulnerability, which is a trait they value in team members. Lucas: Absolutely. And there's a practical angle too. If you say you'd change something about your career, they might be thinking, 'Will this person be happy in this role, or will they be thinking about the past?' So you need to reassure them that you're focused on the future. Luna: Okay, so what are the common pitfalls? Besides the 'I wouldn't change anything' line. Lucas: The biggest pitfall is giving an answer that's too vague or generic. Like, 'I wish I had taken more risks.' That doesn't tell them anything specific. Another one is sounding bitter—maybe you blame a former boss or company for a setback. That's a huge red flag because it shows a lack of accountability. Luna: And I'd add that you should avoid anything that's a deal-breaker for the job. Like, if you're interviewing for a sales role, don't say you wish you'd gone into a more creative field. That makes them question your commitment. Lucas: Good point. So let's talk about the framework. I like to call it the 'reflect, reframe, redirect' approach. First, you reflect on a specific decision or moment in your career. Then you reframe it as a learning experience, and finally, you redirect to how it's shaped you into the candidate you are today. Luna: I like that. It's almost like a STAR story but in reverse—you start with the result and work backward. Lucas: Exactly. And the key is to choose a change that's meaningful but not catastrophic. You don't want to say you wish you'd never gone to college or that you regret your entire career path. Something smaller and more specific works better. Luna: Can you give an example? Lucas: Sure. Let's say you're a marketing manager. A strong answer might be: 'If I could go back, I would have pushed for a stretch assignment earlier in my career. I spent my first two years in a support role, and I didn't raise my hand for a project that involved leading a campaign until I was three years in. That delay meant I missed out on developing leadership skills sooner. But that experience taught me the importance of advocating for myself, and since then, I've actively sought out opportunities to lead, which is why I'm excited about this role.' Luna: That's a great example. You're not saying you regret the whole career; you're just highlighting a specific decision and what you learned from it. Lucas: And notice how the redirect ties directly to the job you're applying for. That's crucial. You want to end on a forward-looking note that shows you're ready to bring those lessons to their team. Luna: What if you actually have a big career change? Like, you switched industries entirely. How do you handle that without sounding like you wasted years? Lucas: That's a tougher one. You need to frame it as a journey of discovery. For example, an engineer who moved into product management might say: 'I spent five years as a software engineer, and while I learned to code, I realized my real passion was understanding customer problems. If I could go back, I might have started exploring product roles sooner. But that engineering background gives me a unique perspective that I bring to every product decision now.' Luna: That's smart. You're turning what could be seen as a detour into a strength. Lucas: And it shows that you're not impulsive—you took the time to figure out what you really wanted, and now you're committed to this path. That's a positive signal for any employer. Luna: So what about the actual phrasing? How do you start your answer? Lucas: You want to be honest but also composed. You could say, 'That's a great question. I think the one thing I'd revisit is...' Then bring in your specific example. The key is to avoid sounding regretful or emotional. You're just stating a fact and then moving to the lesson. Luna: And what if you genuinely can't think of anything? Some people actually have no major regrets. Lucas: Even if that's true, you still need to give an answer. You can pick a smaller decision or a skill you wish you'd developed sooner. Like, 'I wish I had started networking earlier in my career. I was so focused on delivering results that I didn't build relationships as proactively as I should have.' That still shows self-awareness. Luna: Good. So it's not about having a huge regret; it's about demonstrating that you're reflective. Lucas: Exactly. And one more thing: avoid mentioning anything that's a core part of the job you're applying for. If you're interviewing for a data analyst role, don't say you wish you'd taken a more creative path. It's just asking for trouble. Luna: Now, let's talk about how to practice this. Do you have any tips for listeners to prepare? Lucas: First, identify two or three specific career moments you'd consider changing. Write them down. Then for each one, write a short paragraph using the reflect, reframe, redirect approach. Practice saying them out loud until they feel natural. You don't want to sound rehearsed, but you also don't want to stumble. Luna: And have a friend mock interview you. That's the best way to get comfortable with the unexpected. Lucas: Absolutely. And remember, this question is an opportunity to show your maturity and self-awareness. If you handle it well, it can actually leave a positive impression. Luna: Speaking of positive impressions, if today's episode helped you think through a career question, you might want to consider supporting the show. It's what keeps us ad-free and independent. You can buy us a coffee at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Lucas: Yeah, it's a small gesture, but it really helps us keep making episodes like this. And we're not going to guilt you into it—only if you find value in what we do. Luna: Exactly. So back to the question. Let's say you've prepared your answer, but the interviewer follows up with, 'What would you tell your younger self?' How do you handle that? Lucas: That's a natural follow-up. You can use the same reflect, reframe, redirect, but you're giving advice to your past self. For example, 'I'd tell my younger self to be more confident in asking for help.' Then you explain why and how that's changed your approach. Luna: So it's almost like a variation on the same theme. Lucas: Exactly. And it's a chance to show your communication skills and your ability to distill lessons into actionable advice. Luna: Alright, so to wrap up, what's the one key takeaway you want listeners to remember? Lucas: The goal is to show that you're not defined by your past, but that you've learned from it. You're a work in progress, and you're excited about the future. That's what hiring managers want to see. Luna: Well said. So next time you're in an interview and they toss out that question, you'll be ready. Lucas: And if you're not, you can always come back to this episode. We'll have the transcript on the show notes.