Everybody has their own set of skills and personality traits; their strengths and weaknesses that make them unique. These characteristics define how we see the world around us, how differently we analyze something, and how well we adapt and manage our tasks and get on with our lives. Though this is one of the most repeatedly asked interview questions that can make or break your chances at securing employment, most aspirants fail to give a satisfactory answer.
So, how do you tackle this curveball? Should you be brutally honest and slam them with your raw, unfiltered answers? Or, should you present your strengths and weaknesses in alignment with the job’s requirements and demands?
How well you answer this question can mean the difference between a confident, well-rounded professional and a naïve wannabe trying to impress the interviewer! Let’s get on with it; how to answer “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
Usually, in any job interview, the interviewers need to filter out hundreds of candidates for a single position, and having the candidates answer this can help them evaluate quicker and save time. Hiring managers use this question to invite you for a deeper, more self-reflective conversation about you as a professional; how your strengths and weaknesses can contribute to the organization and yourself. They use this to;
Let’s see how you can come up with an answer that is true to yourself, your ethics, and the job description with 5 simple tips.
Assessing your strengths and weaknesses should be an objective, honest process and it should reflect how you can fill the requirements for the post you are being interviewed for. You can leverage your talents and expertise to show how you can fulfill the job requirement.
Now, for the hard part; accepting your weaknesses. Don’t go about claiming that you don’t have a weakness or disguise a strength as a weakness; i.e., being too ambitious is not a weakness and it won’t impress the interviewer, period. Instead, frame your weakness as a place for improvement and show what you did to overcome that weakness. This shows that you are self-aware and possess a growth mindset.
What are your greatest strengths?
Your strengths are what make you who you are, they help you tackle real-world scenarios and come out on top. Some examples of strengths to showcase include;
This is where you show how you are a great fit for the role. Mention two or three areas you are considerably good at, and DON’T FORGET to mention how you used those strengths to your advantage as a professional. A fool-proof method to ace this question is to make sure you cover these two points while talking about your strengths;
Why you are good at (skill/task)?
How it helped you professionally?
If your response answers the Why and How; you’re at a good place to start.
This is an important part, though you want to start with your best foot forward, it’s equally important to know what to say and what not to. Should you tell them that your greatest weakness is failing to delegate tasks and that you hate working around other people?
If your weakness is a dealbreaker for the position, the best option is to walk away and find something that suits you. One should take caution not to oversell themselves or lie when talking about strengths. If you end up getting hired based on a lie and it is found out later down the line, it can cost you your reputation and goodwill, seriously damaging your career.
Nor should you hide important details regarding your past that are significant to the job and your future at the organization.
While doing this take care not to share everything about you either. It’s an interview, not a therapy session!
You must back up your claims with ample proof or else, what’s the difference between tall tales and facts?
Anyone can state their strengths and go on about having such and such, but that won’t make it credible. Going on about yourself without proof can make you look foolish and hard to trust.
Get the numbers, maybe you improved sales at your previous job; bring in the numbers to support your claims.
As for weaknesses, provide experiences where you encountered setbacks and how you overcame them, like mentioning the courses that helped you in leadership or improving your skills in conflict management.
Practice, practice, and practice!
Do your homework, analyze the job requirements while you prepare for the interview, and see what skills/qualities are required for the job. Put them against your own set of skills and strengths to formulate a response that is both valid and genuine.
Go over the response multiple times and expect the question to be phrased differently or clubbed with another question. For example, if you are being interviewed for the post of marketing manager, here is a sample answer that demonstrates your collaboration and teamwork;
I'm at my best when working in a team. I've always enjoyed the spirit of working together and it is one of my strongest attributes. In my previous job as a content marketer, I brought together diverse stakeholders, and led them through a stressful situation; which helped our client to launch a new product in record time.Do not boast about your skills, be humble and show gratitude for the opportunities you had to develop those strengths. Remember that confidence is not loud!
We are human, not perfect. Claiming you do not have any weaknesses is only going to show that you lack the necessary self-awareness; and that you are shallower than a plate!
For the 100th time; being punctual is not a strength, it’s basic manners!
If your weakness jeopardizes the job, you won’t be hired. It’s as simple and complicated as that! Make sure you can fit the job descriptions before applying.
The interviewers want insight about who you are and what you can do, so be specific and to the point. Also, have a clear understanding of your strengths and weaknesses – expect this question and be prepared.
Assessing your strengths and weaknesses can be tricky, especially if you haven’t done much introspection. Going through your own SWOT(strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is one of the best places to start.
To start with, think of some instances where you overcame a tough situation, analyze how you did it, and try to pinpoint what qualities helped you there. Those are your strengths.
Finding weaknesses needs more work since cognitive biases and misconceptions you have of yourself can derail this inquiry. Ask for feedback from people who know you and whom you trust, like a friend, mentor, or colleague. Then, reflect on your own and try to locate areas that require work.
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, a general rule of thumb is to mention skills and strengths that are relevant to the job and that make you a worthy choice for the interviewers.
Also, when it comes to mentioning your weaknesses, take care not to overshare, sticking to facets that are relevant and won’t undermine the job.
Some of the most common interview questions like “Why should we hire you?” or “What accomplishments are you proud of?” gauge the candidate’s ability to handle tough questions while being self-aware and focused on the topic.
While there are a plethora of probable questions that can be expected for an interview, it is best that you prepare well before the interview, carefully analyzing the job requirements and learning about the organization’s history to have a sense of what to expect.
