Job interviews do not have to be an uncomfortable and frustrating situation, but can become a challenging process, which can even help us to get to know ourselves better professionally. But, for this, it is important that we prepare it properly so that we can feel a little more confident in the process. One of the usual questions is usually about our strengths and weaknesses in the workplace, a topic that can cure us of a lot of insecurity.
Tips on how to bring up your weaknesses in a job interview
Perhaps the most difficult thing for many is to talk about their weaknesses in a job interview. And it is natural, because with this question we can feel exposed. After all, you go to a job interview with a certain sales attitude, you sell yourself, your own brand, and it may seem somewhat contradictory to recognize what you are worse at or what you do wrong at work.
You should know that with this question, the interviewers can know much more about your personality than you imagine, so it is worth preparing your answer in advance. For this, it is important to follow some tips:
Be honest and authentic: It’s about acknowledging your weaknesses, not someone else’s. The person who will interview you will notice if you lie, since she is prepared for it, so do not try to hide yourself in what you are not, just be yourself.
Don’t expose yourself too much: It’s not about beating yourself up in the interview by telling all your weaknesses. Remember that you are selling yourself, no one wants to hire a person who does not value themselves.
Turn your weakness into a strength: The key is to show that you know yourself professionally enough to recognize where you need to improve. If after telling your own weakness, for example, in organization, you explain that you have improved a lot in your last job or that you are taking a course to improve (as long as it is true), your interviewer will realize that you are a proactive person, who cares about improving in all facets of professional development. A trick is also to look for a weakness that is not so bad anymore, that you have been working on for a while to improve.
Choose weaknesses that are consistent with the position or the company you want to access: first of all, avoid mentioning your personal weaknesses or those that have to do with your private life. Your interviewer is not interested in knowing that about you, so you will only be giving empty and unnecessary information that can even harm you. In addition, it is important that you try to choose those weaknesses that are not contrary to the position or the company you are applying for. A simple example: if you are applying for a position in an R&D company and you are not good at technology, avoid discussing it, even if the position does not require those skills.
Do not take anything for granted: do not think that your weakness cannot fit into that position. Perhaps your weakness speaks more positive things about you than you imagine and you don’t really know the profile they want for the position, so relax, because perhaps you are the professional they are looking for.
Forget about ‘I work too much’, ‘I’m too much of a perfectionist’ or ‘I have no weaknesses’: the first two are highly regarded and the last one denotes a person who is too self-centered. No one is a perfect robot at his job, its okay to admit it.
Weaknesses that you can mention in a job interview
Taking into account the previous points, we propose some ideas about some weaknesses that you can transmit in an interview. Do not forget that they must always fit with you and be a reality. Also, if you don’t identify with any, nothing happens. The idea is that you can be inspired and understand a little how to approach your professional weaknesses.
Little experience in that field of work
There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that you have little experience in the job you are applying for, and this is also something that will be reflected in your resume. If you have training in that area and little experience, reinforce your area of knowledge as a strength and express your desire to learn and gain experience.
Disorganization (past tense)
If your weakness is disorder, you can present it as something you’ve been working on for a while and you’ve improved, or something you’re working on right now. Remember that it must be real, so if you know that this is your weakness and you have not yet started to improve it and turn it into an opportunity, it is better to skip it or you can start to improve in this area right now.
Lack of diversification
It is possible that something that has cost you a lot is working on several projects at the same time. An example of how to address this weakness would be: ‘I used to only work on one project at a time, but now I have been able to multitask effectively.’
Lack of decision
It may be that at one stage of your work you could be somewhat indecisive and, therefore, your projects dragged on, but if you are working on it and you have learned (or are learning) to trust yourself, you can express it naturally.
Difficulty speaking in public
It’s a common weakness, which sooner or later, most professionals have to overcome. Facing the job interview, you can focus it by assessing your effort to improve, if, for example, you have taken a specific course on it.
Lack of knowledge in languages
Many times we think that we should put a high level of English on our CV, but if you don’t have that level, you shouldn’t do it. This may be your weakness (as long as it is not a specific requirement of the position, in which case you should have the appropriate language level) and express your desire to continue learning.
Strengths that you can show in a job interview
For most it is usually easier to talk about their strengths in their professional skills. However, here too the interview must be prepared a little. Excessive and grandiose talk about strengths can be unbelievable. Also, as in the case of weaknesses, these must be real. Consider that you not only want to get the job, but also to keep it. It won’t do you any good to say that you’re the best team worker if you don’t show it later. You could even discredit your own image within the company. The best thing is to focus on what you think you are really good at. Here are some examples of strengths that you can say in an interview:
Vocation
If you have a true vocation for the position you want to access, show it with positivity and confidence in yourself. There is nothing that companies like more than a vocation and motivated worker.
Punctuality
Are you a punctual person? Obviously you will have to prove it by arriving 10 minutes before the interview. But you can also reflect this in the job interview, especially if the skills of your job require it, for example, meetings to attend.
Collaboration
If you like to collaborate and work as a team, you can say so. In the same way, if you consider that you have team leadership skills, you can say so, giving some positive example from your previous jobs.
Training
You may have specialized in the area of work for which you are a candidate. Your knowledge is always a strength, don’t forget it.
Resolution capacity
If you are an autonomous and decisive person, you have a strength to value, especially if it is a job that requires these characteristics, for example, a position in which many decisions must be made.
Perseverance
If you are one of the people who perseveres in the face of job difficulties, you have a good strength to appreciate in a job interview. Remember that if you accompany your argument with a good example, you will have a few extra points.