How many strengths and weaknesses in an interview

Examples of weaknesses related to your work ethic might include:. You can also refer to an academic skill or ability as a weakness. This is a particularly good idea if you are at least a few years out of school, because then the employer can evaluate you on your work experience rather than your academics.

Some examples of weaknesses related to academics include:. Focus on qualities not necessary for the job. When you consider which weaknesses to mention in an interview, keep in mind that you should focus on qualities that are not central to the requirements of the job for which you are interviewing. Keep it positive. It's important to try and remain positive. You might also explain how your weakness could be seen as a positive in the job.

For example, being very detailed oriented is an asset for many positions. Emphasize your plan of action. You should explain how you are overcoming or plan to overcome your weakness. It is particularly useful when your weakness is a hard skill that can be easily learned. Share your strengths. As well as being prepared to mention weaknesses, it's important to discuss the strengths that qualify you for the job during the interview.

It's also essential to do your best to sell your qualifications to the interviewer , so you're a strong contender for a job offer. Be honest. Finally, while you want to be positive, you should also be honest. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data.

Select personalised content. This answer leads with a negative, and then moves to vague words: maybe, probably, pretty and usually. William isn't doing himself any favors. Let's get the hard part out of the way first—your weaknesses. This is probably the most dreaded part of the question. Everyone has weaknesses , but who wants to admit to them, especially in an interview? The best way to handle this question is to minimize the trait and emphasize the positive.

Select a trait and come up with a solution to overcome your weakness. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate more on professional traits. For example: "I pride myself on being a 'big-picture' guy. I have to admit I sometimes miss small details, but I always make sure I have someone who is detail-oriented on my team. When it comes time to toot your own horn, you need to be specific. Assess your skills to identify your strengths. This is an exercise worth doing before any interview.

Make a list of your skills, dividing them into three categories:. When you complete this list, choose three to five of those strengths that match what the employer is seeking in the job posting. From high school and into my early professional interactions, it prevented me from speaking up. I learned practical skills around leading discussions and sharing diverse perspectives.

Now, in group settings, I always start conversations with the quieter folks. I know exactly how they feel, and people can be amazing once they start talking. This works well in some situations, but in many cases, I need the help of others to overcome factors beyond my control. In one instance last year, I was spearheading a client event that had a lot of moving parts. I was trying to manage everything from the strategic plan down to the tiniest details, like table settings.

I did a lot of self-reflection afterward. But when I was working for XYZ Company several years ago, I was on a group project where I could see how my putting things off to the last minute created stress for everyone else.

It was a wake-up call. I started creating daily schedules that hold me accountable to my team, and I broke the habit. It was hard at first, but using the Agile process was a real breakthrough in my workflow and mindset. I was laboring over the details and in turn, caused my manager to be stressed when I almost missed the deadline on my deliverables.

I learned the hard way back then, but I did learn. Within a few years of being in the working world, though, I realized that I wanted to take my career in a more analytical direction. In my most recent job, this new foundation has enabled me to do my own goal setting and tracking.

Actually, getting over the math anxiety I had when I was younger has been incredibly empowering. Use the job description as your guide as you select your strengths. After working in sales and marketing for over 15 years I know I have the skills to maximize your marketing dollars and improve your bottom line.

I typically love to work outside of my job description and do whatever is asked of me. I'm not above any single task, and I take great pride in my ability to step in and adapt to any situation to get the best results for the company. As you can see, the ability to tell a story with your response will give you a leg up on the competition.

The better you can articulate your biggest strengths while providing examples will serve you well in your job search. Once you can clearly identify your strengths, the stories and examples will fall into place. As you already know, throughout the interview process, you will be asked to answer some tough questions. Preparation and having a response ready are paramount to a successful job interview.

When thinking about your weaknesses , it's essential to choose attributes that you are proactively working on or demonstrate steps you are taking to turn that weakness into a strength. Telling a relevant story or elaborating on how you are working to change this weakness can only strengthen your case. If you cannot identify how to find your weaknesses , turn to a friend or close coworker to help you determine what you can improve on. Always remember that weaknesses are not permanent, and just because you have a few weaknesses does not mean that you are doomed.

If you have trouble crafting a response to this question, here are some examples to inspire your response. Read them and apply the structure to your own professional attributes. This often leads me to overwork myself and leaves me feeling burned out. This has not only improved my work and my confidence, but it has helped me to appreciate my team and other support systems that are always behind me in everything I do.