Tips for Talking About Your Greatest Weaknesses in a Job Interview

Perhaps you are about to face an interview panel answer questions about yourself and why you are the best fit for the job position. While answering questions on your most significant strength is an easy task, talking about your weaknesses can be quite the opposite.

Are You Wondering What’s The Best Way to Approach the Question on Weakness?

The trick is to skillfully speak about your weaknesses without painting your images and possibly losing your chance on the job. Remember, nobody is perfect.

Therefore, the hiring manager seeks to understand how you can handle challenges in the job, and your weaknesses. For instance, what limitations have you faced at your previous work? Identifying the cases will help you point out your shortcomings and can help you make a positive evaluation. On the other hand, your former employer’s assessment of areas you need improvement will help you talk about your weaknesses.

However, it is essential not to prioritize weaknesses that are necessary skills in the new job position. To give you an upper hand, read keenly on the job description.

Examples of Weaknesses on the Job

Do you have inexperience with specific software or qualifications for the new job? Are you nervous about public speaking or feel uncomfortable taking risks? Perhaps you are impatient with bureaucracies? If the new job requires the above, acknowledging them is not the best option for you. However, honesty is the best policy on how best to choose to answer the question on your weaknesses.

Answers to Avoid

Claiming you have no weaknesses is quite far from the truth- everyone has. Your personality might pass to the hiring manager as an overconfident person who can’t learn from previous mistakes. Additionally, it can work against you, showcasing you as a person who lacks true identity and self-awareness. The hiring manager can identify the weaknesses that you pass off as positive attributes. For instance, if you say that you are a perfectionist, extra competitive, or even working too hard on the job, be sure to summarize details relevant to the job description.

If you say you have high work standards that can give you unnecessary pressure, add details to show you have embraced recognizing the attribute.

Positivity is the Way to Go

The trick in answering your weaknesses right is portraying them in a positive light. You can use a three-step approach in answering the question. Firstly, highlight more on the positive when talking about your weaknesses and avoid negative words that can work against you.

Secondly, elaborate on how you have been transforming your weaknesses into strengths for you. Lastly, show the ability to recognize your weaknesses and have continuous improvement. Furthermore, you can go the extra mile to improve yourself and give you a competitive edge in addressing your shortcomings during an interview. For instance, you can attend a class or training course. A better way can be using applications that can help you track your time and self-evaluate.

In my experience, working with a mentor can help you improve yourself further. In case you’re wondering other ways you can improve, engaging in volunteer work, and joining professional groups relevant to your career is a positive step.

Why is The Weakness Question so Important?
Do not panic when the hiring manager asks your weaknesses. Take the chance and use it to prove your employer how you accept constructive criticism. Additionally, it can help you further by showing you are flexible in making changes in the face of challenges. Elaborate on how you retrace your steps after failing and make new strides.The good news is that- every employer will identify that as a strength, increasing your chances of getting the job.