Give me an example of a time you noticed a mistake in a cash transaction or counting money. How did you handle it?
RoleCustomer Service Representative
DifficultyEasy
TopicBehavioral
Asked at
Why This Is Asked
Since this is a cash-handling role with no experience required, BDO wants to see if you have the integrity to own up to mistakes and the initiative to prevent them, even from non-work settings like school or volunteer activities.
General Approach
Use a simple, specific example where you identified an error, took immediate steps to correct it, and learned a lesson. Emphasize honesty and diligence.
General Answer
Start by anchoring your story in a real moment, even if it happened outside a formal job, like a school fundraiser or a sari-sari store you helped with. Pick one specific incident where you counted cash, spotted a discrepancy, and did not let it slide. Say plainly that your first instinct was to double-check the count before saying anything, because mistakes can come from miscounting as much as from missing money. Then explain the exact step you took, such as recounting the drawer, comparing it against the receipts, and quietly informing the person in charge. Emphasize that you did not wait to be caught or hope the error would fix itself, you acted immediately because honesty matters more than saving face. If the mistake involved a customer, mention that you politely owned it and corrected the amount without blaming them. Close by stating the lesson you carried forward, which is that you now count twice or use a consistent system every time, especially under pressure like end-of-shift in a BPO or a busy branch. Keep your tone calm and straightforward, and let your accountability speak louder than the size of the error.
PH Interview Gotcha
Saying 'Di ko na po napansin, sorry po' or blaming the customer might show a lack of accountability. Instead, acknowledge the mistake and focus on the corrective action taken.
Sample STAR Answer▾
S
Situation
During a school fundraiser, I was assigned as the cashier handling payments for tickets and merchandise. After my shift, when tallying the receipts, I noticed a discrepancy: the cash on hand was short by PHP 500 compared to the sales record.
T
Task
I needed to immediately report the discrepancy, identify the cause, and ensure the cash balanced before turning over the collections to the treasurer.
A
Action
I recounted the cash twice to confirm the shortage. I then reviewed the sales log entries and compared them with the receipt stubs. I discovered that I had incorrectly given change for a large bill, thinking it was a PHP 1000 note when it was PHP 500. I wrote a short incident report explaining the error and notified the faculty adviser. I also suggested we implement a procedure to verify large bills with a marker or UV light to prevent future mistakes.
R
Result
The shortage was accepted as an honest error by the adviser, and I was allowed to cover the difference from my own pocket as a lesson. The fundraiser implemented my bill-checking suggestion for the next event, reducing errors.
Key Takeaway
Always verify high-value bills and double-check change amounts, even when the line is long.
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