How to Answer: What would you do if you made a mistake at work and nobody noticed?
16. What would you do if you made a mistake at work and nobody noticed?
The Goal
The interviewer wants to know more about your level of integrity in the workplace. Integrity means doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching. The goal of your response is to show the interviewer that you are a trustworthy person who makes the right choice and fixes your mistakes, even when nobody has noticed your error.
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid responding in a way that suggests you never make mistakes at work. Everyone makes mistakes, and the interviewer wants evidence that you are self-aware. Instead of trying to look like the perfect employee, highlight that you respond to errors in a way that shows integrity and accountability.
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Pro Tip
Everyone makes mistakes in the workplace. The most important part of a situation like this is not the mistake you made but how you repaired the error. Because this question is positioned as, 'What would you do if...,' you can respond hypothetically. The Situation, Solution, Benefit formula is helpful in this instance.
Step 1) Situation: Express your understanding of the hypothetical situation.
Step 2) Solution: Outline the solution you would introduce in this hypothetical situation.
Step 3) Benefit: Highlight how your honesty and integrity will benefit the hiring company.
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
How to Answer
When you talk about handling mistakes in the workplace, it's essential to show that you would first admit your mistake. Employers want to see that you are accountable for your actions versus blaming others or shirking responsibility.
Next, it's important to apologize for your errors. Remember, the interviewer doesn't want to hear you grumble over the issue. It's vital to apologize for your mistake and present a solution rather than dwell on the problem. Show that you would jump into action to create a plan to fix the error. Consider how you would repair the mistake, preferably on your own time, without costing your employer additional resources.
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"(Situation) I have made mistakes at work - everyone has. What is most important is how I handle repairing the mistake. (Solution) If I made a mistake at work and nobody noticed, I would first assess the severity of the issue. This assessment would determine if I needed to involve anyone else in the resolution. If my mistake had a significant negative impact and I needed to apologize, I would do so immediately. Next, I would create a game plan to fix the mistake as soon as possible. If this resolution required extra hours on my behalf, I would do this off-the-clock so that my employer was not responsible for the cost of additional resources. (Benefit) I am the type of person who values actions over words. Rest assured, if hired by Company ABC, you will see that I am a highly accountable individual who is transparent with my work and eager to do what is best for my team and the organization as a whole."
Written by Rachelle Enns on March 16th, 2022
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