10 tips: strengths and weaknesses in the job interview
The question of strengths and weaknesses in the job interview causes many applicants to break in a sweat. We’ll tell you how to answer skillfully.
“What are the characteristics of a good manager?”
“What are you being criticized for by colleagues?”
There is a real classic hidden behind these interview questions: the question of your strengths and weaknesses. It is still popular and is asked either very directly or indirectly. If you go to an interview unprepared, you can stutter. We’ll tell you how to answer the question about your strengths and weaknesses.
This is how you present your strengths in the interview
The question of strengths and weaknesses is asked by HR professionals for various reasons. Not only do they get an answer to their question, they also see how you present yourself, how you deal with stressful situations and what your self-assessment is.
“Most applicants find it easier to present their own strengths – after all, you want to make a good impression in the interview . But here, too, there are a few things that should be considered.”
Tip 1: keep your balance
In an interview, you want to present yourself in the best possible light: However, the line between self-confidence and arrogance can quickly become blurred if you emphasize your strengths. So you should keep a good balance: both modesty and arrogance can make a bad impression in the interview.
Tip 2: be authentic
Under no circumstances should you brag about strengths that you do not have in the interview. It is rather unlikely that you have all the skills and qualities that your potential employer is looking for – your counterpart is also aware of this. Should you present yourself as an all-round package, this will very likely be viewed negatively.
“So focus on what you are really good at. This will make you appear self-confident, convincing and there will be no nasty surprises later if you cannot meet the high demands of your employer.”
Tip 3: do some research
You shouldn’t just list all of your strengths, because not all of them will be relevant to the job. For this reason, you should study the intended position and the company in advance.
Tip 4: Avoid repetitions
Make sure that you don’t just repeat the strengths that you already mentioned in your cover letter and resume . Are there any additional skills that qualify you for the position? If this is not the case, you can clarify or expand your already mentioned strengths with examples: Did you confirm in your cover letter that you are a team player? In the interview, address your conflict resolution strengths .
Tip 5: use examples
As in your cover letter, it is also important in the interview to demonstrate your strengths and weaknesses with examples. With the statement “I am very capable of working in a team” you are only making a claim. Explain how you were able to demonstrate this ability in your professional life or in your private life . Private examples are a good solution, especially for young professionals with little work experience.
Examples of strengths in an interview
When preparing for the question about your strengths and weaknesses in the interview, you can of course use examples as a guide – but you should definitely not just memorize them. Make a note of your strengths, come up with arguments and present them freely in the interview. Nevertheless, we would like to give you a few examples at this point so that you can see how you could present your strengths in the interview.
Strengths in the job interview
- “I am a very creative person. For several years I have been working on my own comic, which I publish online. This passion and persistence also have a positive effect on my job as a media designer. “
- “I can quickly familiarize myself with new subject areas. In my last job as an editor in a web agency, I looked after many different clients and projects. So I had to find out about topics such as mortgage lending or teeth whitening on my own in order to deliver convincing results to our customers. “
- “Analytical thinking is my strength. In my old job, I regularly analyzed our team’s work processes in order to make them more efficient and avoid unnecessary work steps.
This is how you describe your weaknesses in the interview
“What skills do you appreciate in colleagues that you lack?”
The question of one’s own weaknesses in the interview is pure stress for many applicants. It can even be an opportunity – if you prepare an appropriate answer. We have five tips for you on how to best present your weaknesses in the job interview.
Tip 1: be honest
Admitting your weaknesses is not easy – naming them in the interview is even more difficult. However, the way you deal with your weakness says more about you than this avoidable flaw:
- An authentic answer is personable and you will not be classified as arrogant.
- You show that you can keep calm even in stressful situations.
- You demonstrate your ability to self-reflect.
- It shows how you deal with problems and that you are ready to work on yourself.
Tip 2: more strengths than weaknesses
It is also a strength to admit to yourself that you are not good at something. However, that doesn’t mean that you should peddle all of your shortcomings in the interview.
If you are asked about your strengths and weaknesses in the interview, always make sure that you mention more strengths than weaknesses. In most cases, it is sufficient if you can authentically explain a weakness.
Tip 3: No “positive weaknesses” or humor
In the past, applicants were advised to name weaknesses that actually aren’t. The classic: “I am a perfectionist.” These beautifully packaged lies are now known to every HR manager and do not leave a good impression. Such phrases are not only inauthentic, they say nothing about you as a person.
“The same goes for humor. The question of the weaknesses in the interview leads some applicants to react with humor. The HR manager expects a serious self-assessment from you and not a flippant comment like “My weakness is candy”. It seems like you’re not taking the interview seriously.”
Tip 4: choose the right weakness
Never mention skills or qualities as weaknesses that are explicitly mentioned in the job advertisement or that are necessary for the job. If you are applying to be a tax advisor, you should not necessarily mention your weakness in mental arithmetic in the interview. At the same time, the weakness must not be mentioned are completely outside the professional world: For example, if you state that you cannot ski, that will hardly be a relevant weakness for your profession as a banker.
Tip 5: Present your weakness correctly
Even if you admit a weakness in the interview, you can put it in a positive light . First of all through your choice of words – phrases like “now and then” and “sometimes” can weaken your statement. The most important point, however, is that you not only state your weakness, but also explain how you are going to deal with it and what steps you are taking to iron it out.
Examples of weaknesses in the job interview
In the interview you should always refer to your individual strengths and weaknesses in order to leave a personable and, above all, authentic impression. So that you can also implement our tips, we have some examples for you here.
Weaknesses in the job interview
- “I find it difficult to speak in front of a lot of people. In my last job as a project manager, however, I had to give lectures to employees and customers on a regular basis. In order to stop being so nervous, I looked for various tips on the Internet and now, for example, practice speaking openly in front of the mirror. In the meantime I have had a lot of practice and am not quite as nervous anymore. “
- “Every now and then I have the problem that I can’t say ‘no’. I like to help my colleagues, but it has happened before that it has affected my own work. After I became aware of this, I now first check very carefully whether I can still do my own tasks in full before I agree to help. “
- “Sometimes I tend to take criticism very seriously. That was a problem especially in my apprenticeship. I’m working on being more confident, heeding constructive criticism, and taking an objective perspective. I have already noticed that this has not only improved my relationship with my superiors, but also my way of working. “
Recognize your own strengths and weaknesses
Many applicants find it difficult to identify their own strengths and weaknesses. The best way to see this is through self-reflection. Take the time to analyze your personality and, above all, the way you work.
You can try to answer the following questions for yourself:
- Do colleagues or friends often ask you for advice or ask for help?
- What role do you play in team tasks?
- Do you manage to meet deadlines and deadlines?
- Are you more organized or chaotic?
- In which situations do you keep a cool head and in which not?
- Do you need a quiet environment to work?
- How do you deal with stressful situations?
- What do you get recognition / criticism for?
- What do others envy you for? What do you envy others for?
- What do you enjoy so much? Which task do you avoid?
- In which situations can you prove your knowledge?
- What tasks do you feel safe / unsafe about?
- What was your biggest success / failure and why?
- Which people do you get along well with, which ones don’t?
If you have trouble answering these questions, you can also seek help from family, friends, and work colleagues.
