Describe a time when you made a mistake that affected others, particularly in a work or school setting. How did you take responsibility and what did you do to correct it?

Situation

In my first month as a part-time cashier at a fast food chain, I accidentally gave a customer change for a 500-peso bill when they paid with a 200-peso bill, causing a shortage of 300 pesos at the end of my shift.

Task

I had to figure out what happened, report the discrepancy honestly, and make sure the customer was contacted if possible, while learning from the error to prevent it from happening again.

Action

After verifying the shortage, I immediately informed my shift supervisor and admitted the mistake without making excuses. I recounted the transaction as best I could, and the supervisor checked the CCTV to identify the customer. I offered to personally cover the shortage if needed, but the company had a policy for such errors. We contacted the customer politely to explain the mix-up and request the return of the excess change, which they did. I also started double-checking every bill by saying the amount aloud and counting change twice.

Result

The customer returned the extra money, and my supervisor appreciated my honesty and proactive steps. My error rate dropped to zero in the following months, and I gained a reputation for being trustworthy.