"What are your strengths and weaknesses?" Aaaah that classic job interview question!
Putting down the rough apple is a bit old-fashioned, just like the expression "strengths and weaknesses." However, recruiters will still want to know your strengths and weaknesses. In an interview, you can't escape it! ;)
Some of your qualities will resonate with them on a personal level, others may not. As for your weaknesses, some will likely be accepted, while others might be dealbreakers. And yes, qualities like laziness, aggression, or disliking people are best left unmentioned!
So, how do you answer the question about strengths and weaknesses during the interview? What are the "flaws" you can talk about to make a good impression? Here are some tips!
How to talk about your strengths in a job interview?
Learn about the company's values. Logically, to make a good impression, you can express qualities that echo the organization's values during your interview!
If the company's values of teamwork, ambition, responsibility, and fairness resonate with you, then look for examples in your personality that echo these values. Here are 4 qualities to echo each of these 4 values:
- Fairness: open-minded - trusting of others - respectful - humanistic
- A sense of community: sociable - attentive - empathetic - supportive
- Responsibility: proactive - involved - honest - accountable
- Ambition: passionate - persevering - visionary - dreamer
Of course, there is no need to try to match their values at all costs! Maybe your qualities will interest recruiters even if they are not directly related to their values;
💡 Relating this to the qualifications required in the job posting of an open position will also show your interest in the position you are seeking.
Illustrates each quality with an example
To add credibility to the qualities you express in an interview, recruiters will expect concrete examples for each one. Simply saying you're honest, cheerful, or bold doesn't carry much weight without an example to demonstrate those qualities.
Here is an example:
"One of my strengths is my sense of humor. I enjoy making others laugh, often unintentionally, and I find it creates a positive atmosphere. This translates well to both written and verbal communication, and it's been very helpful in diffusing tense situations with colleagues or during meetings."
20 acceptable weaknesses in an interview
There are many more weaknesses than 20, of course! This list is designed to help you differentiate between acceptable areas for improvement and dealbreakers for employers. Do you see yourself in any of these weaknesses?
Demanding
Intransigent
Stubborn
Direct
Individualist
Carefree
Capricious
Obsessive
Distrustful
Impatient
Chatty
Invasive
Hyperactive
Academic
Pessimist
Emotional
Stressed
Distracted
Impulsive
Slow
Examples of unacceptable defects
While laziness might be romanticized someday, in today's workplaces, it's still a major flaw. Here are 10 weaknesses, similar to laziness, that you should avoid mentioning during your interview:
In bad mood
Disorganized
Resentful
Intolerant
Racist
Passive
Procrastinator
Lack of punctuality
Low resistance to change
Difficulty working in a team
How to talk calmly about your defects in an interview?
Questions about your weaknesses are far from being trick questions. Taken in a positive light, they can even be a selling point! Here are our tips for talking about them...
Turning weaknesses into strengths
You've probably heard the saying, "Our strengths can sometimes become our weaknesses." Just like that, what we see as flaws can also be character traits that make us shine in certain situations! So, how can we transform these perceived weaknesses into strengths?
Here are some examples:
You are very sensitive
If you find yourself easily moved by situations, sometimes even to tears or anger, and it can feel awkward at work, consider this: Your sensitivity might also be a strength. It allows you to be more empathetic, pick up on subtle cues others miss, and have less judgmental interactions. You might excel at understanding people's true intentions and motivations.
You are impatient
Ever been called impatient? You get frustrated when things drag on or people slow down a project's progress. While impatience can be a challenge at times, it can also be a positive force. It fuels your drive to see projects through to completion and motivates you to seek solutions and keep others on track. It might even help you anticipate future needs.
You are demanding
Hey, you might consider yourself someone with high standards, and that's great! It means you care about getting things right and have a keen eye for detail. This meticulousness can be a real asset, making you a reliable and quality-focused teammate.
You are a pessimist
This flaw, which is often linked to negativity and can dampen the mood during coffee breaks, is not so negative! It just means you like to think things through and consider all the possibilities before diving in. This careful planning can be super helpful for avoiding any unexpected bumps in the road.
You are slow
Yes, but your work is super quality, because you prefer quality to quantity. You like to concentrate for a long time on a project, on a task and to put your attention to it. This focus on detail can be a major plus in jobs where accuracy is key. Plus, taking your time allows you to really concentrate and put your best foot forward on every project.
The tone to use when talking about your weaknesses
Feeling guilty for having this or that weakness, devaluing yourself, giving examples of situations where they have greatly hindered you will not help you much in an interview. Remember that nobody is perfect and that having flaws is a universal thing!
In an interview or face to face with a recruiter, feel comfortable talking about your flaws during the interview. Assumed and argued flaws will always pass better. :)
Argue but don't justify yourself!
In job interviews, it's better to acknowledge your weaknesses and explain how you're working to improve them, rather than justifying why they might not be weaknesses.
What is the difference?
"I'm very individualistic because I was brought up that way and taught to have a competitive attitude. I was once told that this was an asset in business. Anyway, companies need competitive profiles, so I don't think it's really a flaw." (Justify yourself)
"I am very individualistic: I like to work alone, to stand out, I have a strong sense of competition. This can work against me in some situations, especially with colleagues who don't like competition, but it also makes it easy for me to achieve my goals, be productive and feel satisfied with my work." (Argument)
Once again, tell yourself that the question of weakness is not asked to trap you and that you have no reason to answer by defending yourself. :)
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