This is another common interview question that you are likely to face in every HR interview. Answering this question in an impressive way can take you very closer to your dream job.
Before providing you with how to answer this question in a politically correct manner, I would first like to define the terms strengths and weaknesses.
Before providing you with how to answer this question in a politically correct manner, I would first like to define the terms strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths:
Internal positive aspects that are under your control and upon which you may capitalize.
Internal positive aspects that are under your control and upon which you may capitalize.
Weaknesses:
Internal negative aspects that are under your control and that you may plan to improve.
Now here is how you should answer this question:
Internal negative aspects that are under your control and that you may plan to improve.
Now here is how you should answer this question:
Assessing Your Strengths
Assess your skills, and you will identify your strengths. This is an exercise worth doing before any interview. Make a list of your skills, dividing them into three categories:
1. Knowledge-based skills: Acquired from education and experience (e.g., computer skills, languages, degrees, training and technical ability).
2. Transferable skills: Your portable skills that you take from job to job (e.g., communication and people skills, analytical problem solving and planning skills).
3. Personal traits: Your unique qualities (e.g., dependable, flexible, friendly, hard working, expressive, formal, punctual and being a team player).
When you complete this list, choose three to five of those strengths that match what the employer is seeking in the job posting. Make sure you can give specific examples to demonstrate why you say that is your strength if probed further.
Assess your skills, and you will identify your strengths. This is an exercise worth doing before any interview. Make a list of your skills, dividing them into three categories:
1. Knowledge-based skills: Acquired from education and experience (e.g., computer skills, languages, degrees, training and technical ability).
2. Transferable skills: Your portable skills that you take from job to job (e.g., communication and people skills, analytical problem solving and planning skills).
3. Personal traits: Your unique qualities (e.g., dependable, flexible, friendly, hard working, expressive, formal, punctual and being a team player).
When you complete this list, choose three to five of those strengths that match what the employer is seeking in the job posting. Make sure you can give specific examples to demonstrate why you say that is your strength if probed further.
Assessing 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."
Here is another example:
“I am a natural pessimist. This isn’t by choice and I’m not sure where it comes from, but it’s there. I can get very excited by new technologies and very passionate about things I’m interested in, but I’ve noticed my first reaction to most new ideas is pessimism.”
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."
Here is another example:
“I am a natural pessimist. This isn’t by choice and I’m not sure where it comes from, but it’s there. I can get very excited by new technologies and very passionate about things I’m interested in, but I’ve noticed my first reaction to most new ideas is pessimism.”
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