How to Explain Your Strengths and Weaknesses in the Job Interview - Your Career Intel

How to Explain Your Strengths and Weaknesses in the Job Interview - Your Career IntelIts usually leid very far into a job vorstellungsgesprch when you get asked the dreaded question, What are your strengths and weaknesses?As an executive recruiter, Ive seen candidates struggle with the question time and time again. But, although its a difficult one, its also one that you know is coming so you simply have to be prepared.Strengths are easier so lets start there. First, assess your personal strengths whether those are job-related skills or personal traits. Write down five to ten. Then think about the role youre applying for and what traits a successful candidate should have. See which of your skills are the most relevant and be prepared to discuss three to five of them.When asked, most candidates just list off their strengths but thats a missed opportunity. Back each strength up with facts or examples. For example One of my greatest strengths is my ability to manage large teams. In my p revious role I oversaw the work of 25 employees. Or One of my greatest strengths is my desire and willingness to develop new skills. When our company opened up an office in Shanghai I began taking Chinese language classes, which allowed me to work exceptionally well with our China-based team.Weaknesses are, of course, much more difficult. It feels like youre being asked to tell someone why he or she shouldnt hire you But no one expects you to be perfect and acknowledging your own weaknesses is a sign of self-awareness.You should only present one weakness, even if you get asked for more. But have a couple extras up your sleeve in case youre really pressed to share additional weaknesses.The old wisdom was to put forward a weakness that is actually a strength for example, Im a perfectionist and put too much pressure on myself or Im too detail oriented and sometimes I get stuck in the weeds. Dont go that route. It was elicit eyerolls and interviewers are looking for honesty.Be humble a nd earnest. Think about what youve struggled with in the past. What issues have come up in past performance reviews? What doesnt come as easily to you as you wish it did? Once again, list them out. Then make notes on all the ways in which youve addressed those weaknesses because thats what the interviewer really wants to know. Although honesty is the best policy, you dont want to shoot yourself in the foot so leave any weakness out that could be dealbreakers for an employer.Use your notes to craft responses stating what the weakness is and how you successfully dealt with it in what I call a good-bad-good Oreo. For example, Organization is very important for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness on the job. But Im not an organized person by nature and early in my career I might have let some things slip through the cracks as a result. Ive worked very hard to develop strategies to keep myself organized and feel that Ive been very successful in doing so. Or Ive really learned in care er that differences of opinion are valuable. However, like many people, I tend to be conflict averse by nature and tend to avoid speaking up when I disagree with others. But this Ive learned that differences of opinion are valuable and I have worked on listening and then sharing my point of view even when its not always comfortable for me.Youll want to write your responses down and them practice them out loud, especially if its a weakness youre nervous about sharing, to make sure your presentation is spot on.What are your strengths and weaknesses? is such a common interview question that it should never catch you off guard. Just be careful not to come off as too rehearsed. Take your time responding so it doesnt seem like youre reading from a script and try to reference the specific job youre applying for so that the response doesnt feel canned.How do you like to handle discussing your strengths and weaknesses in an interview? Share you experiences with us below.