When have you had to be extra thorough in completing tasks on the job?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Pro Tip
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example
Community Answers

This will help the interviewer gauge the level of your competency in any given task. They want to know if you go the extra mile or deliver the bare minimum. Extra thorough could mean one thing for one person, and something entirely different for another. How you frame your answer will help them better assess where you fall on the scale.

Research the job description. Pick out a few of the duties that require high-level attention to detail. Talk about the detail-oriented tasks you've had throughout your career, emphasizing your ability to handle similar tasks in this role.

When offering your example, try to present that you perceive highly detailed work as the norm/status-quo. This will allow you to present the extra-thorough example you provide as going even further than above and beyond. Go the extra mile with your answer.

"I have to be extra thorough from time to time when I have clients that are especially detail-oriented. Often this will mean spending additional time on calls with them to highlight project changes. I am okay with being extra thorough when needed."

"I am always thorough in my work, but we do have monthly team meetings in my current job where we discuss our performance metrics. That reporting takes a little longer and my role is to go through every detail with a fine-tooth comb ahead of time. If hired at Johnson &Johnson, you can be assured that I take fine details in my work seriously."

Anonymous Answer

"I had to be extra thorough when I was preparing and submitting my research articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals. I had to make sure that my data and interpretation was clear, accurate, and of high quality. Also, I had to comply with the guidelines of each journal when preparing the manuscript and the figures, and address all the comments made by the reviewers."

Rachelle's Feedback

This sounds like a highly meticulous process. Very strong example of being extra thorough in your work.

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Anonymous Answer

"I still remember the project I took last month in the consulting center when the client was an assistant professor of the finance department. He was very detail-oriented and asked me many technical details during the final presentation. But at last, the project worked well, and the professor gave me good comments. I think I have no problem being extra thorough when needed."

Marcie's Feedback

This is a good answer; however, the interviewer might like it if you relate your answer here to any clinical or lab experience you have since that's similar to the job you're interested in. If you choose to continue with this example, that's fine, but perhaps give additional details around the project itself, so the interviewer understands the steps you had to take.

Anonymous Answer

"I believe I am always as thorough as I can be. I am a firm believer that if you’re going to do something you might as well do it right. For example, I have in many instances misspelled a patient's name or incorrect birthdays on charts. Just simple things could be corrected if you were just a little bit more thorough."

Amanda's Feedback

Being extra thorough is especially important in the area of patient care. You can give this response more impact by explaining that catching errors in names or dates of birth is important because it helps ensure that medications and insurance claims are processed appropriately. You can also explain that you have to be extra thorough when working with patients with complex comorbidities, allergies, or who are at a greater risk for falling in order to protect patient health and safety.