Mastering the Art of Discussing Weaknesses During Job Interviews

In the context of job interviews, the mention of your 'weaknesses' may cause some discomfort. It's not a natural inclination to lay bare one's shortcomings, particularly when trying to convince potential employers of your worthiness. Interestingly, interviewers aren't seeking flawless candidates, but rather individuals who can candidly acknowledge their areas of improvement and demonstrate resilience. But, how do you walk this tightrope without jeopardizing your chances at your dream job?

Below, we share a three-step method to portray your weaknesses in a manner that reflects your capacity to grow and adapt, turning you into an appealing candidate.

Acknowledging Your Weakness

In the realm of job interviews, it is crucial to recognize your weak spots. Joseph Liu, the face behind the "Career Relaunch" podcast, offers a valuable suggestion: frame your response as, "Occasionally, I find myself (insert weakness)." By employing this approach, you convey your ability to recognize when you're demonstrating the said behavior, subtly implying that it's not a chronic issue but more of an occasional slip-up.

What Makes for Effective Examples of Weaknesses?

Consider these five attributes: Credibility, Coachability, Correctability, Confessability, and Non-Critical.

Credibility

An unbelievable weakness will fail to convince an interviewer, regardless of how well you articulate your response. Rather than suggesting that your weakness is overcommitment to work, Matthew Warzel, a certified professional resume writer and certified internet recruiter, advises selecting a genuine weakness and elaborating on your efforts to improve. For instance, for a customer service role, a more plausible weakness could be that you struggle to avoid taking customer complaints personally.

Correctability

A weakness that is correctable hasn't been fully overcome yet but shows promise with a little effort. For instance, if you find it challenging to handle customer complaints without getting personally affected, you could highlight your efforts to improve, like seeking feedback from peers and superiors and enrolling in conflict resolution training. Employers value candidates who are open to feedback and demonstrate a dedication to self-improvement.

Coachability

An excellent way to exhibit coachability is by discussing a weakness that you have successfully overcome. For example, "I previously had a habit of rushing my news articles to submission. However, my initial editor suggested that I let the draft rest for a few hours or overnight, and revisit it with fresh eyes. This advice significantly improved my writing." Sharing such experiences shows your readiness to learn and accept guidance.

Confessability

Confessable weaknesses are those you can comfortably disclose to anyone without feeling overly embarrassed or exposed. Hence, sharing highly personal information or weaknesses that could potentially compromise your professional image should be avoided.

Non-Critical

Lastly, it's essential that your admitted weakness is not a critical requirement for the job you're seeking. If you're pursuing a content writing position, declaring that writing isn't your strength would naturally hinder your chances. Conversely, stating that you occasionally over-focus on minutiae during the final editing process shows your commitment to quality while demonstrating self-awareness.

In conclusion, when faced with the daunting "tell me about your weaknesses" question in an interview, remember that it is not a trap. It is an opportunity to showcase your self-awareness and dedication to self-improvement, as long as you maintain a level of professional discretion.