Posted on Jul 7, 2016
How do you take advantage of your strengths and how do you compensate for your weaknesses?
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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!
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!
Interview
Civilian Career
Employment
Transition
What Would You Do
Edited 9 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
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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.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
CPT Jack Durish Excellent advice. Effective listening and understanding the questions asked is critical in the interview process!
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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.
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.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS When the time is right I'll be reaching out to you. Still need for you to attend one of the Thursday night Webinars. You were signed up, but I don't think you made it. When you have a Thursday free and then you can put on your thinking cap and help us build Sponsor a Vet Life even stronger! All online from the comfort of your home! Yes, I'm throwing out the challenge for the future!
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
COL Mikel J. Burroughs I was and ended up missing it for something stupid and unforeseen (my fault). I'm trying to get my schedule back under control so I don't miss miss another when I sign up!
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS No worries Aaron. I'll be here whenever your ready. Like I said I value your opinion and if you didn't have so much going on right now with school I would be recruiting you very aggressively.
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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.
People find greater satisfaction doing something that they are good at.
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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)
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CPT John Sheridan
As a manager hiring people, interviews were a necessary formality that I placed little stock in. Even if you are skilled at behavioral interviewing, it is unlikely that you'll learn much about the person in the interview. Far better information comes from basic factual statements in the cover letter and résumé, references, what they choose to list as their achievements, and any examples they provide of their work. I've hired people in the past that interviewed poorly because someone I trusted recommended them.
As an interviewee, the best thing to do is learn as much as you can ahead of time and prepare to tell the interviewer what he/she wants to hear. Most interviewers have no skill at it or don't really care. They are interviewing because it is a custom or a corporate requirement. The general rule is don't screw it up.
Relationships matter. If you can get a common acquaintance to give a recommendation ahead of time, that will go much further than any song & dance performed during the interview.
As an interviewee, the best thing to do is learn as much as you can ahead of time and prepare to tell the interviewer what he/she wants to hear. Most interviewers have no skill at it or don't really care. They are interviewing because it is a custom or a corporate requirement. The general rule is don't screw it up.
Relationships matter. If you can get a common acquaintance to give a recommendation ahead of time, that will go much further than any song & dance performed during the interview.
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CPT John Sheridan
Another thought, as an interviewer, the interview has never been the deciding factor in hiring. As an interviewee, the interview was the deciding factor for me to not entertain an offer from an employer.
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CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
CPT John Sheridan - The decision to hire lies in how one looks; how one presents and; whether they are recommended by a known leader. Interviews are indeed just a showcase formality to prove that the box was checked on the checklist...
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CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana - It really doesn't matter. Individually, this matters a great deal.
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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.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Good wives are difficult to find, congratulations. I hope you prelude her a lot and send her casual, loving greeting cards on the spur of the moment! CPT Mark Gonzalez The higher a pedestal you place her on the more she will love you! Do 'little' things for her w/o being asked, praise, praise and tell her of your appreciation for her and her support, again and again!
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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?"
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?"
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
MAJ Raúl Rovira That is a good follow-on question. Here are mine that I need to improve upon:
1. I'm OCD when it comes to cleaning - I'm constantly following around my youngest daughter complaining and picking up after her. She is starting to get the message. I'm almost over the top when it comes to organization, my desk, the house, and everything! I need to learn to relax on this a little before I drive everyone crazy!
2. Temper. Even though I've slowed down to 110 miles an hour from 210 miles and hour and have gotten much better with age, every once in great while that bad temper slips out and bites the hell out of someone - Road Rage needs to be fixed. Especailly when I'm two wheels (motorcycle) versus four wheels! Patience Mikel!
3. Impatience in closing deals or getting something accomplished with projects, work, jobs, etc. I like to move and get things done now, not 4 days from now. I have to learn to be patient in the future and take it easy - Not going to happen overnight, but working on it!
All three of these can be strengths to when applied in the right situations! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
1. I'm OCD when it comes to cleaning - I'm constantly following around my youngest daughter complaining and picking up after her. She is starting to get the message. I'm almost over the top when it comes to organization, my desk, the house, and everything! I need to learn to relax on this a little before I drive everyone crazy!
2. Temper. Even though I've slowed down to 110 miles an hour from 210 miles and hour and have gotten much better with age, every once in great while that bad temper slips out and bites the hell out of someone - Road Rage needs to be fixed. Especailly when I'm two wheels (motorcycle) versus four wheels! Patience Mikel!
3. Impatience in closing deals or getting something accomplished with projects, work, jobs, etc. I like to move and get things done now, not 4 days from now. I have to learn to be patient in the future and take it easy - Not going to happen overnight, but working on it!
All three of these can be strengths to when applied in the right situations! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
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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.
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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.
It will work or it won't, but i'll never bow down to get what I desire. I will earn it.
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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.
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