It can be challenging to talk about your weaknesses and what aspects of your skillset you need to improve. Unfortunately, this question is near impossible to pass by in an interview for a job. Understanding what answer the person interviewing you is looking for is going to be the key to responding to this question. Don’t worry you’re not alone. A lot of people don’t know where to start when it comes to talking about personal criticism and improvements. Here are our best tips to effectively talk about your weaknesses in an interview.
Understand what areas need improvement
To conquer this question in an interview, you need to grasp what areas are of the weakest skillset and where you need to improve. Although this can be a difficult task, it’s noteworthy as a professional and as an employee to accept where you can improve.
Examples of skillsets that people struggle with can be one or a few of the following:
Once you’ve brainstormed and created a list of areas you can improve upon, you should attempt to crush your weakness(es). If your drawback is a program or skill you need to learn, take the time to learn the program. On the other hand, if it’s more of a personal paradox, find a way to make the most of your weakness. Do small tasks that will slowly improve your faults. For example, if your fear is public speaking, take baby steps to diminish your fear.
Honesty is the best policy
When it comes to candidly talking about your weakness, honesty is the best policy. It’s crucial to accept and communicate your shortcomings sincerely so the individual interviewing you has an understanding of how you will fit into the company culture and if you will be the right fit for the position.
It can feel scary to admit your flaws, but it will only help you. Accepting your shortcomings will help you develop a more robust relationship with the person that is interviewing you, and it will give you a better chance of consideration for the job when they can sense your honesty.
It is unlikely that a hiring manager wouldn’t hire a candidate based on their weakness, but it is a greater probability they would hire someone that answered they know that isn’t truthful. Always be honest, even if it takes time to think about your answer.
How did you overcome your weakness(es)?
A significant aspect of admitting your flaws as a worker and employee is explaining how you can navigate towards success, even when you conflict with a weakness. A great way to do this is by telling a story of when you struggle to overcome your faults, but in the end, find a way to come out on top.
One of the best ways to communicate and grab the interest of the hiring manager/ the person that is interviewing you is by storytelling. Use storytelling to your advantage and tell a story that proves you are not defined by your weakness and how you are a successful employee.
To prove that you are stronger than your flaws, communicate your weakness in a positive light rather than a negative one. A great example of framing your drawback as positive is by accepting that your shortcomings has allowed you to grow into a well-rounded worker. Your future employee want to see you grow, adapt, and change based on your work and your environment.
Overall, you will not combat your flaws and weaknesses overnight, but it’s necessary as a growing professional to understand, accept, and move forward from a minor setback. We hope this blog post comes in handy while you are on your job search and that you will do an amazing job when asked this question in an interview.
Clutch is a creative staffing partner. We connect digital, creative, and marketing professionals with companies looking for freelance, temp-to-hire or direct hire resources.
