How to Answer: When you make a mistake, how do you go about fixing it?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Construction job interview.
31. When you make a mistake, how do you go about fixing it?
How to Answer
In any industry, mistakes are bound to happen. The interviewer wants to hear that you recognize a mistake when you make one, admit to your mistake, and find ways to rectify the situation. If you try to cover up a mistake without taking care of the error, it shows you do not take pride in your work and are willing to take shortcuts that could cause problems later on down the road. Describe how you acknowledge a mistake when you make one and what measures you take to fix your error, giving an example when you have made a mistake in construction in the past.
Written by Krista Wenz on December 1st, 2021
Answer Example
"I am very careful not to make mistakes, but when I do, I acknowledge that I made an error and figure out how to correct it. I made a mistake when I was first starting construction and inadvertently tiled over a shower drain. I did not realize my mistake until I started grouting. I told my supervisor what happened, then cut out the tile in the area where the drain was. I had to replace some of the tiles and regrout, but the problem was fixed, and I never did that again."
Written by Krista Wenz on December 1st, 2021