Through questions about your strengths and weaknesses in interviews, candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. So, how should you answer questions about your strengths and weaknesses to leave a lasting impression and stand out?
Discussing your strengths and weaknesses during an interview seems to be a common question in any job interview. As an experienced candidate, have you mastered how to answer questions about your strengths and weaknesses during an interview? Don't overlook this, as the information below will be helpful if you're concerned about this topic!
1. Weaknesses of yourself
1.1 What are your weaknesses?
Weaknesses are personality deficiencies that you should correct and also skills and expertise you are not good at.
1.2 List of weaknesses
You should be honest about your weaknesses and choose weaknesses that are not related to the qualities or skills that are essential to the position you are applying for. The list of weaknesses you can use is:
- Too sensitive
- Often self-criticizing
- Not confident with his creative opinion
- There are sometimes difficulty concentrating
- Being stressed by doing too many things at once
- Too frank at work
1.3 Weakness question examples
Employers often ask some inter-interview questions about weaknesses as follows:
- What is your biggest weakness?
- What part of this job position do you find will be a big challenge for you?
- What decisions are you having trouble making?
- Have you ever been criticized by your superiors?
1.4 How to answer about weaknesses in interviews
For some candidates, answering questions about their weaknesses during an interview can be challenging, requiring the responder to be tactful and discerning in filtering information. You can consider some of the suggestions below to answer questions about your strengths and weaknesses in interviews effectively:
Organize Your Response Appropriately
First, you should choose a weakness that doesn't affect how the employer evaluates your capabilities. Briefly mention the weakness without going into excessive detail about how it has affected you. At the same time, make it clear that you are actively working to improve this weakness.
Turn Weaknesses into Strengths
Knowing how to turn your weaknesses into strengths demonstrates your tactfulness and resourcefulness. Weaknesses that are commonly used in this context include being overly meticulous, having an imbalance between work and personal life, or difficulty in saying no, for example. If you say your weakness is being overly meticulous, it means you are portraying yourself as a detail-oriented and thorough worker. If you discuss a lack of balance between work and personal life, it signifies your high sense of responsibility at work. If you mention difficulty in saying no, you're conveying that you have a strong willingness to help and support.
Mention a Weakness Unrelated to the Job
Thinking and responding with a weakness that is not highly relevant to the job is also a safe approach. For instance, if your job involves more interaction with computers than people, you can say that you are not comfortable speaking in front of large groups or not highly persuasive when dealing with clients. While these weaknesses are important, they do not significantly impact the nature of the job.
Afterwards, you should explain how you are actively trying to address and improve this weakness to enhance yourself, such as working on your communication and interpersonal skills by engaging in real-life interactions, meeting clients in person, or learning effective persuasion techniques.
Present your weaknesses in the interview round
2. Strengths of yourself
2.1 What are your strengths?
Strengths are outstanding strengths that you possess, including strengths in personality, thinking, action, good professional capacity, rich experience, proficient skills,...
2.2 List of strengths
Some of the strengths that you can mention in your interview answers are:
- Creative
- Responsive, flexible
- Faithful
- Enthusiasm for work
- Perseverance, high patience
- Disciplined
- Ability to concentrate well
- Ability to clear orientation
- Effective planning skills
- Communicate, solve problems well,...
2.3 Strengths question examples
Employers may ask questions about different strengths such as:
- What are your greatest strengths?
- What helps you succeed in this position?
- What do we expect from you within your first 60 business days?
- What compliments did you get from your former boss?
2.4. How to Answer Strengths Questions During an Interview
Even the most experienced applicants may struggle with this question. You can refer to some answers below:
Answering Honestly
When it comes to discussing your strengths and weaknesses in an interview, you should answer honestly. A candid response will leave a stronger impression than an answer that sounds rehearsed or staged. Rest assured that you'll be regarded as a strong candidate if you understand your strengths and apply them effectively in your work.
Provide Real-World Examples
After discussing your strengths and weaknesses during an interview, you need to demonstrate that you indeed possess those strengths. Remember that a story with real-world examples makes your narrative more authentic and understandable. For instance, if you're a content editor, talk about a time when you successfully published breaking news promptly as instructed by your supervisor or how you edited content to meet a client's urgent request.
Emphasize the Importance
An honest answer with supporting examples is a good starting point when discussing your strengths and weaknesses in an interview. However, when concluding your response, emphasize that your skills are valuable and suitable for the position you're applying for.
Be Concise
Interviewers have limited time for each candidate. Don't spend all your interview time discussing your strengths and weaknesses. Be concise, focused on the most important strengths, and remember that quality is more important than quantity.
How to answer strengths that impress
3. Expensive experience when going to an interview
Before entering the official interview, be prepared to "fight" the unexpected situation and become more confident. Prepare well for the interview by searching for information about the business, the position, making sure what you have (in terms of competence, experience, skills) is what they need and refer to the set of frequently asked interview questions beforehand.
You need to distill "expensive" information about yourself such as full name, age, experience, what value you can create for the business,... and try to shorten that information in 1-2 minutes of replying.
After you receive the question, take a few minutes to think before answering. Don't be afraid to pause because then you will focus your thoughts, give quality answers rather than saying what just popped into your head.
Some notes to help the interview achieve good results
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Please contact Navigos Search if you are looking to answer your strengths and weaknesses when interviewing and looking for any middle or senior position:
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