Do not say how to answer “What is your greatest weakness?”

It’s always a question that turns us into liars and swindlers, self-proclaimed perfectionists who just work too hard and love our jobs. very Many.

“What about your biggest weakness?”

If you have ever responded to this with a profound lie, rest assured that you are not alone.

And today, as the battle for Conservative leaders intensifies, candidates are falling for this frequently asked question.

Asked to explain his weaknesses at a meeting of Conservative House leaders, Rishi Sunak complained about all the interview questions: He is a perfectionist.

Liz Truss said she was very excited and did “a lot” of work, but Penny Mordaunt… didn’t really make a mistake and was instead a team player (she was in Burma). I also mentioned cats, which was interesting. ).

It is a difficult question to ask in the context of political battles. In fact, in job interviews, most of us find an increase in this question.

Perfect honesty is not an option as you are trying to promote yourself. It doesn’t seem wise to talk to a potential boss who can be vague, but revealing a cliché’s strengths disguised as a weakness is too transparent. Interviewers are loath to hear others say that their toughest battles are too good to be true.

So, How? you should Do you want to answer this question? I asked an expert.

How to answer “What is your greatest weakness” in a job interview?

training

“This is one of the interview questions worth repeating,” says Jill Cotton, career trends expert at Glassdoor. “A well-crafted response shows that you are willing to be honest and ready.

“The hiring manager expects all candidates to have some weaknesses. Anyone who has difficulty answering a question can alert the company.

To be honest… some kind

Don’t reveal your deepest, darkest secrets, or that emotional issue you’ve spent hours dealing with.

But whether it’s con man syndrome, struggling with delegation, or a difficult work-life balance, bring up the actual work-related struggle you’ve experienced.

However, there is a kicker here. To be honest, my weakness is…

Point out past weaknesses you have overcome

Use this as an opportunity to discuss this question instead of bringing up the issue that still plagues you. past The weaknesses you have overcome.

This is your chance to show how to deal with the challenge.

Give a solid example of how you have overcome this weakness.

Here is an example of how you have learned to deal with this weakness.

So if you said you had difficulty delegating, what helped you learn to distribute your work more evenly?

Can you give us an example of your recent work when you noticed this earlier problem and it worked better this time?

Or mention something you’re working on.

Jill said, “Don’t pretend to be perfect. It’s safe to say you’re still learning the new skills needed for that role.

Remember past evaluations and areas the manager asked you to work on. Then clarify what you are actively doing to reinforce the identified weaknesses. You are looking for additional training and mentoring.

“Identifying the steps indicates that you are ready to grow. This is what recruiting managers are looking for.”

do not tell

“I have no weaknesses”

Well, that’s not true, is it?

“Everyone has something that can be improved,” says Jill. Otherwise, it doesn’t seem like a good thing to say.

“I’m a perfectionist”

Not only is this probably over the top, but it’s definitely not cool to say you’re a perfectionist.

The driving force for good results is excellent. It is so weak that it will drive everyone crazy. Not that much.

“Answer to other junk food/cat/vice jokes”

How does this help you get a job? Such an answer is a waste of opportunity and can frustrate the interviewer, think about it. why They demand your greatest weakness. They don’t want to love chocolate, they want to know how you can overcome challenges.

Needless to say, Jill has nothing to do with her job.

“attitude”

If you’re serious, it’s not a good forum to discuss this right now.

If you’re kidding, it’s not funny.

“Team management/reporting/key job skills”

“It’s a good idea to do a thorough survey of the company before the interview,” suggests Jill. This will help you determine which skills are important to your role. Thus, it helps you decide what to avoid when it comes to weaknesses.

“I work hard and stay up late.”

this is true? Is that good? Do you want to work on the edge and be hired by someone who values ​​you instead of burning you out?

No no no.

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