Tell me about the strengths and weaknesses outlined in your most recent performance evaluation.
This question is another way of asking "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" but from the view of others, particularly your leadership. Your answer stands to reveal how your self-perceptions and self-awareness align with how others perceive you. Additionally, depending on how your recent performance evaluations have gone, your interviewer will be looking for signs of how forthright or guarded you seem when delivering your answer.
To go above and beyond in answering this question, don't limit what you volunteer to just your formal performance reviews. Also, share any feedback you consistently received from your supervisors or colleagues, and what they value you for. Also, if you are the type to proactively seek out feedback to continually improve yourself as a professional, share that as well.
When considering what strengths to share, take time to communicate with humility, rather than boasting and risking coming across as arrogant. Also, consider what BNSF and their teams stand to benefit from your strengths. When considering what weaknesses to share, reframe them as growth opportunities that you already take ownership of, and which you are able to share with confidence. Being timid when sharing your weaknesses suggests a fear of judgment. Sharing your growth opportunities with confidence suggests you have nothing to hide.
When you mention areas for improvement, avoid mentioning any mandatory job requirements that would make you ineligible for the position. Also, avoid sharing anything egregious which could present you as a liability. Regarding any weaknesses you have, be sure to discuss how you're actively working to improve.
BNSF expects their employees to "respect and serve everyone. We act with integrity. We do what we say we will do and take ownership for our actions. Keep our Commitments. We take pride in working smart and empower others to succeed. We speak with candor, authenticity, and transparency. We proactively engage others and assume positive intent. We treat others with dignity and place the collective interests above our own."
"During my last performance review, which I brought with me, I was commended for supporting the rest of my team, my analytical skills, and ability to see details most others do not, especially safety concerns, and being proactive in bringing them to the attention of our leadership, and being proactive in seeking out feedback. The growth opportunities they mapped out were being more thorough with my documentation, which sometimes was a bit rushed. Although my sense of urgency and my prioritizing were rewarded, it was recommended I slow down a bit and maintain my focus. I asked for feedback on this recently and was offered some praise for the leaps and strides I've made in this regard. Yet I still have a little way to go."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
The hiring authority at BNSF Railway Company is looking for specifics of your job performance, leaning on recent reviews from your latest job. This question is another way of asking 'What are your strengths and weaknesses?' If you did not have formal performance reviews in your most recent position; discuss the feedback that you consistently received from your supervisors or colleagues.
Your positive highlight can be big or small! When you mention one area for improvement, avoid mentioning something that would make you ineligible for the position. For instance, if you are interviewing for an engineering role, you should not say that you are disorganized or have trouble remembering important details. Also, be sure to discuss that you are actively working to improve this weakness.
Marcie's Feedback
The advice above is good! Highlight positive feedback that pertains to the role you're trying to get to show that you're a good candidate. Pick a weakness to discuss that can ideally be viewed positively, and emphasize that you're taking steps to improve yourself in this area.
Anonymous Answer
My most recent performance evaluation was overall exceeding expectations. One positive from my supervisor was that I work efficiently and safely. Keeping up with scheduled training to ensure I abided by the rules and regulations put in place by the company and the FCC keeping information safe. An area of improvement for me was related to the speed of responding to emailed cases. I was able to create templates that auto-send based on the customer's issue.
Marcie's Feedback
Good! It's great that you were recognized for being efficient and safe, both qualities that the interviewer will appreciate. It's also good that you explain how you improved your weakness of not responding to emailed cases quickly enough by creating auto-sent templates. Great idea! Can you give more details about why you weren't responding fast enough to start with (maybe you would get busy working on other things and not prioritize this?) and explain if your templates helped to resolve the problem? Nice job!
Unlock all 30 BNSF Railway Company questions
Master safety-focused questions that BNSF interviewers use to assess railroad readiness.
Get Started