How do you talk about your mistakes in a job interview?

When it comes to job interview questions, the classic “What are your greatest strengths?” It’s a soft ball. It is an invitation to highlight all the skills and experiences that make you a great candidate for the job. The curve ball comes when you are asked to talk about your weaknesses in a job interview.

The question “Tell me your biggest weaknesses” baffles many job interview candidates, and it’s no wonder: How do you tell a recruiter about your weaknesses without appearing that you’re not up to the job?

It is difficult, but possible.

How do you answer the vulnerabilities question

Ultimately, you want to discuss your weaknesses in a job interview so that you gain ground rather than lose it. Keep in mind that what hiring managers really want to know is how to handle adversity at work.

To get started, think about the boundaries that are causing you trouble at work. Making a list of known deficiencies is good practice, and one way to gather information is to review past performance reviews and feedback from supervisors on areas for improvement.

Also, be sure to research the employer and the position to be filled. Read the job posting carefully before the interview so that you don’t view a gap as an essential component of the job. Review the job description for the attributes and abilities necessary to perform the job. These hard or soft skills should not be on your list of weaknesses. Everything else is acceptable.

Examples of defects in the workplace

Do any of these vulnerabilities ring a bell? Note that these are not good answer choices if the position requires specific skills in these areas.

• Lack of experience with specific software or non-essential skill
• Tendency to take on too much responsibility
• Tension when speaking in public
• Reluctance to delegate tasks
• Discomfort from taking too much risk
• Impatience with bureaucracy

What to avoid in your response

Your first reaction might be to say, “I have no weaknesses, and nothing will stop me from doing a great job.” But no one is perfect, and hiring managers know that. If you answer this question with an enthusiastic denial, the examiner will likely see you as lacking in self-awareness, overconfident, or unable to understand and learn from mistakes.

Hiring managers are also notified of responses that attempt to portray a positive trait as a weakness during a job interview. Classic examples include “I am a perfectionist,” “I am competitive,” and “I work hard.” Interviewers know these classic answers, but they can be effective if you add job-related details to show that you’ve really thought about it.

For example, you could say something like: “I set very high standards for myself and sometimes put a lot of pressure on myself. I’ve learned to recognize when I start, like when I spend way too much time on important projects like quarterly reports, and I’m usually able to control myself.”

Put your weaknesses in a positive light

Once you’ve identified your pain point, craft a response to present it in its most positive light. how do i do it Here are three suggestions:

• Emphasize the positive and avoid negative words such as failure or incompetence.
• Explain how you turned your weakness into a strength.
• Show how you identify areas for improvement and take action to improve them.

What are some ways you can improve to correct a weakness?

• Take a course or training.
• Discover tools, like apps, to track your time, schedule breaks, or collaborate more easily.
• Work with a mentor.
• Volunteer to learn a skill.
• Join professional groups or industry associations.

Examples of answers to the question “What are your weaknesses?”

The question gives you a chance to differentiate yourself. how ? You can show the hiring manager that you recognize areas that need improvement and are taking action to address them. Here is an example of a response that follows this approach:

• “Although I always meet deadlines, I had a problem with procrastination and ended up working very long days when my deadline approached. I decided I had to tackle this problem and took courses in project management and learned time management how to organize days and deal with projects I grow in manageable increments today, I make a plan as soon as I get a new assignment, and I often meet deadlines.”

Another example shows how to use job requirements to guide your answer. Let’s say you are not a good copywriter and you are applying for a job as a graphic designer. The job description emphasizes the need for production design skills and specific programming experience, but makes no mention of content creation. In this scenario, you might answer a question about your weaknesses in an interview like this:

• “I’ve always been on the design side and didn’t have a lot of content development experience, so I would say this is a soft spot for me. However, I’m a fast learner and I believe I can improve my writing skills if I ever need it for my work.” “.

On the other hand, if you’re applying for a financial analyst position and a requirement of the job is to report regularly to management, you won’t want to indicate to the hiring manager that you have communication issues.

Why is the vulnerability question important?

Like most common questions asked during a job interview, the question “What are your weaknesses?” It can be difficult to answer. But it is not just an obstacle to be overcome or a trap to be avoided.

It’s an opportunity to show the employer that you can learn from constructive criticism, that you’re willing to make changes when faced with challenges, and that you can pick yourself up and dust yourself off when you fail. Any business owner considers these strengths.