How do you take advantage of your strengths and how do you compensate for your weaknesses?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:03:51 -0400

RP Members (Veterans and Service Members) looking for work or transitioning, here is another one of the top questions asked by employers during the interview process. This can be on the phone or in person.

How would you answer this question?

Looking for great responses, so they can be captured here for all to use and add to their toolbox!

Response by CPT John Sheridan made Jul 7 at 2016 6:09 PM

CPT John Sheridan — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:09:39 -0400

I strongly believe in the importance of reinforcing your strengths and playing to them. The best way to compensate for weaknesses is to not take jobs for which those traits or characteristics are important.

People find greater satisfaction doing something that they are good at.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 7 at 2016 6:26 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:26:43 -0400

Speaking in the general rather than the specific:

Starting with weaknesses, one of the best techniques I've found for compensating them is through teamwork. Raising deficits up is always admirable, however, it's counter to the Economic Principle "Benefits of Specialization" where an absolute advantage can be gained by focusing on individual strengths of team members. Companies (and the military) already do this through staff structure, and it works.

By applying this concept to my weaknesses, I find someone who complements me in areas I lack, and vice versa, someone who I complement in areas where they lack. As an example, switching to the specific I have a solid Administrative and Operational Focus, and actively seek folks with Visionary capabilities.

Looking at the Company, I see it is looking to do X, Y, and Z in the coming years. I would be an excellent "partner" for someone leading one of those projects.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jul 7 at 2016 6:38 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:38:57 -0400

Wait, what exactly is the question

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 7 at 2016 6:51 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:51:34 -0400

Learn the art of creative conversation. Don't attempt to answer a question (or debate an issue) until you have satisfied the other person that you have really heard them. One of the most effective ways of accomplishing this is to repeat their point in your own words until they agree that it is what they said. Then pause a moment. People tend to appreciate thoughtful consideration, especially when you're responding to their request. Then answer concisely without wandering off point. Use examples only if they are precisely responsive to the issue and actually needed. Babbling on about unrelated, or even slightly related issues, appears that you are avoiding something or don't take their views seriously.

Response by Cpl Kevin Osborne made Jul 7 at 2016 7:54 PM

Cpl Kevin Osborne — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:54:44 -0400

I have been asked to identify my greatest weakness in more than one interview throughout my career. I have said that my reading speed has been a weakness in the past. I compensate for that by reading business leadership books to improve my reading speed. One of my strengths is my tenacious work ethic. I have received feedback that if I could not go; over or around a wall that I would just go through it! I enjoy learning and am eager to do whatever it takes to be successful within your organization. (I would have researched the company and the position and identified how my skill would allow me to exceed their expectations)

Response by PO3 Steven Adams made Jul 7 at 2016 8:07 PM

PO3 Steven Adams — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:07:29 -0400

To know your strengths and weaknesses is an asset as long as you communicate with your supervisors and team that way you make the line up with right players at the right position a good supervisors watches and utilizes this and then you implement training to work on strengthening where your weak

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jul 7 at 2016 10:24 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:24:59 -0400

To compensate for my weakenesses I married my wife. She definitely knows how to call me on my crap and consistently challenges me to be a better man.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 8 at 2016 12:25 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 00:25:53 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs our Lord and Savior shines though our weaknesses. In the areas where we know we have weaknesses He is glorified when we can help others directly. I have been amazed so many times that HE took my paralyzing fear of public speaking and communicating and He used me as a teacher, an encourager of the downtrodden and has helped me share the good news.
My own strengths can help or more often hurt if I am not careful to use them for good of others.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Jul 10 at 2016 11:41 PM

LCpl Cody Collins — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 23:41:07 -0400

Jesus said ' My ( his ) strength is made perfect in weakness. What Christ is telling us is , that when we fail or fall short in any given situation. That's when the power of God shines through.
Now what does that have to do with the questions that were asked? Everything ! Our strengths in the employment field is highlighted by my weaknesses. My greatest strength is Manufacturing, I can read and interpret instructions and procedures, and exercise safe work practices without being told. My weakness is that I'm not familiar with that new companies nuances. My weakness will be evident , when I turn right and everyone else turns left. So I would respectfully inquire were in went wrong.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Jul 14 at 2016 9:43 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 09:43:33 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs That question in all of its various wordings is the worst question to be asked in an interview. First of a candidate is seeking employment, while the interviewer has employment with the company the candidate is trying to be hired on by. This means that an intelligent candidate is going to be humble. The problem is that unless one is narcissistic, it is simpler for most people to find faults over strengths. I have strengths that my friends are constantly pointing out that I never even thought about. I always have had an "I am Me, like me or don't" attitude.
I would say that the best advice I would give on that question is to be prepared for it well in advance of an interview. If one knows that they are going to be seeking new employment regardless of reason (military transition, lay off, termination, new skill set, finished school, starting school, lateral job change), that is the time to start preparing for an interview. Preparing by thinking about questions that may appear on an interview, and how best within the individual's life experience, skill set, and work experience they can answer those questions. This question is one which should be written down, studied, rehearsed, until the answer is ingrained. The reality is, whether we admit it or not, we already know three things at all times:
1) We know what our strong skills are, it is just a matter of acknowledging them as a strength.
2) We know what our weaknesses are, it is just a matter of not being overly self deprecating.
3) We know what we want to be doing, it is just a matter of finding employment that leads us on that path.
So knowing going into an interview what one's strengths are, what one's weaknesses are, how to exploit both, how to overcome both, and where one wants to end up allows the individual to give stronger answers to the question than the cliche, generic, boring "I am a team player." "I can always learn from others around me." Those would be great answers if the respondent can explain how with detail. If it is a generic answer, it lacks sincerity. If one comes across as lacking sincerity in an interview, then why is the interviewer going to believe that will change upon employment.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Jul 14 at 2016 8:15 PM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 20:15:30 -0400

Rely on your strengths to overcome weaknesses, but never hide weaknesses because you may miss the opportunity to change them into your strengths.

Response by SFC Derrick Graves made Jul 16 at 2016 12:32 AM

SFC Derrick Graves — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 00:32:37 -0400

During my professional career I believe my strengths and weaknesses were intertwined during my development. In my interviews if I was asked about my strengths I would elaborate on my ability to be self motivated in uncomfortable mission taskers and how I lead subordinates from a wide variety of social and economic backgrounds to accomplish an assigned objective. If asked about weaknesses I would state how I continue to educate myself to correct mistakes and improve my skill sets in order to become an asset to any organization ( example I would use was to tell how prior to my entrance into civil service when I was applying to job announcements there would be a requirement to be a qualified typist so I learned how to type 50 WPM even though the minimum requirement was 40, which illustrated my ability to correct a professional deficiency I had at the time). One of the things I always share with others seeking employment is to never get complacent and always strive to improve yourself which is a key component in today's competitive job market.

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Jul 16 at 2016 2:27 PM

SA Jim Arnold — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 14:27:45 -0400

I walk into an interview with obtaining a job, in mind.
It will work or it won't, but i'll never bow down to get what I desire. I will earn it.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jul 16 at 2016 4:06 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 16:06:08 -0400

On weaknesses I look to address a critical skill and what I am doing to improve on it.
I always bring the English language as a weakness because it is my second language. It was so bad as a college student in the US that I could not be an Air Force officer.
I explain how the Army helped me improve the English language and communications because of the leadership roles. I close stating that I continue to improve myself as a member of a Toastmasters club.
Have a story for each weakness and be ready to answer "What are your three weaknesses?"

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Jul 19 at 2016 8:19 PM

SA Jim Arnold — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 20:19:53 -0400

Use your strengths to improve the weakness.

Response by Maj William W. 'Bill' Price made Jan 29 at 2017 10:16 AM

Maj William W. 'Bill' Price — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 10:16:48 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs: I strive to see myself as others see me. This is essential when working in a team...even if you are the leader of that team. The art of creative conversation (as described by CPT Jack Durish) is key. Where you have strengths, be approachable. Opportunities will find their way to you through others. Where you are weak, actively seek out others who have the strength you need or seek. You then have the opportunity to learn, or they will have the opportunity to help. In both cases, be first to give credit the other. Sometimes you do need to blow your own horn. But those times are usually few and far between.