Next, you want to pivot your interview answer to the positive and share the specific steps you are taking to work on things you need to improve. A weakness that isnt critical and that is easily fixed: In the past, Ive tended to want to complete one project in its entirety before moving onto another. is a question commonly asked at interview frequently paired with 'What are your strengths?' This alone enables you to benefit from the possibility that other interview candidates may be blindsided when asked about weaknesses. Did I really think it made me better or smarter at getting more things done faster? A mental health professional may teach you skills that will help you stop obsessing, ruminating, and dwelling on things that arent helpful. One of the hardest job interview questions that applicants struggle with is discussing their real weaknesses. April 24, 2023 6:38 pm CT. Heres a throwback for New Orleans Saints fans. Being able to adapt to the questions you are being asked is an important interview skill. Try asking someone who knows you well (such as a friend or colleague) to be really honest about your areas of weakness. He further mentioned, "Because, by large, I am a nice guy, but sometimes people take that niceness for weakness and they misunderstand that. And it may get your mind focused on something more productive. I took part in a leadership course where we talked about the best ways to provide feedback and how we should tailor our communication style to different people and situations. If you feel like your brain is on overdrive, talk to your physician. One of the most important parts of answering this question is to get across the idea that you actively work on your weaknesses. Did he ask about my management experience because he doesnt think I seem like a leader? for tailoring each version of your resume. Ive come a long way, with plenty of support and practice. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. But if you tend to overanalyze, youre going to find yourself spending the next three full days coming up with list after list of ways you want to improve your interviewing skills. Behaviour Research and Therapy. Plus, thinking about all the things you could have done differently, second-guessing your decisions, and continuously imagining worst-case scenarios can be exhausting. Interviewers often ask this question to know about a candidates approach to finding new employment. If youre shy, you could use your ability to listen carefully and pay attention to detail to become a great listener and problem solver. Finally, try to provide some concrete evidence of improvement. The interviewee makes sure to stress that they are not too timid to speak up at work at all, which could be a concern. I regularly record myself during presentations, then watch the videos to see how I can improve my executive presence. You can also talk about your education if you have an advanced degree or significant experience in a specific field. Maybe youre not very patient, or maybe youre not very good at public speaking. This is an answer thats honest and shows a good degree of critical self-reflection. Overthinking can take a toll on your mood and may make it even more difficult to make decisions in the future. Ask yourself if they are realistic. The best resume & job tips from our career experts will now be sent your inbox every 2 weeks! Studies have found that improving your interpersonal skills can help stop you from overthinking since these skills have a large effect on this particular habit. 4. WebThis approach to talking about weaknesses in a job interview lends itself to an infinite number of hard or soft skills the more specific the better. It might even be a goal youve already acted on, but in an area where more knowledge and experience would be beneficial. This gives you less scope to elaborate too much and say something that will put the interviewer off. I dont want this to hold me back, so Im trying to build my confidence in public speaking. A persuasive resume and cover letter in that regard likely won you the job interview in the first place. Learn what these answers are and what they have in common so you can be sure you never commit these interview sins: Im just such a perfectionist. Self-help strategies like distracting yourself and challenging your thoughts can help. I got hooked on PowerPoint after learning some basics years ago in a volunteer community group role. Framing is the operative word here, with the goal of shifting attention from the weakness itself to your manner of presenting in a relevant context. Its important to be honest when identifying your weaknesses. This is done to see how a candidate handles a Or, maybe you want to prepare a wider arsenal of anecdotes to share, so that youre prepared for any and every behavioral-based question they could throw at you. It can also find you unable to stop when enough is enough. It is useful at this stage to have a thorough look at the job description. However, it can often play a role in the development and maintenance of several mental health conditions. If youre indecisive about everything from what to eat for dinner to which hotel you should book, you might be overthinking things. So I could be a Frame your weaknesses in a positive, proactive context as works in progress, emphasizing corrective steps with successful outcomes. Different Ways of Asking the Weaknesses Question, How to Answer the Interview Question: "What Motivates You?" This candidate shows no humility and more importantly no evidence of self-reflection. Thats why more and more people are turning to ZipRecruiter to help them find their next job. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation. 3. Build professional cover letters in a few simple steps by using our free Cover Letter builder. This weakness could be particularly concerning to an interviewer so, if you really want to mention this at interview, make sure you show evidence of self-reflection and mention the steps you are taking to address this or how you have begun to use it to achieve a positive outcome. By focusing all your energy on what you could or should have said, youre only bringing more stress on yourself. Why Do Interviewers Like to Ask This Question? Ruminatingor rehashing the same things over and over againisnt helpful. 6. Thats why Ive taken a few online courses and am constantly picking up new tips from YouTube tutorials. Rather than disguising a strength as a weakness, use this as an opportunity to address skills or personal characteristics you could improve. Your email address will not be published. Most job applicants can think of a talent, trait or tendency worth learning or developing, now or down the road. The downside is procrastinators can get so anxious about doing things right that they do nothing at all. ", How to Answer Interview Questions About College, How to Answer the Interview Question: "What Are Your Hobbies? Its a problem a lot of people can relate to as its only natural that we want to see our work completed and followed through before switching focus. Think about what the interviewer is trying to get out of the question. Some people view weaknesses as negative qualities, but they can actually be helpful in identifying areas in which you need to improve. To stop you losing your train of thought when presented with a question you may not have prepared for, here are 10 weaknesses to consider and example This answer also manages to sneak in a strength (digging deep into data and providing analysis of it). Finding a way to break out of this cycle can often help relieve some symptoms of these conditions. Ive found it much easier to handle this situation since I started using a project management app on my phone and laptop. Being cocky or arrogant. What company benefits are most important to you? The biggest critic is often ourselves, so it is important to be aware of what we like and dont like. If youre still truly concerned about something you said or did during the interview, take just a few minutes to ask yourself: Is this something I can fix in a couple sentences in my thank you note? WebThe fact is that we all have weaknesses, so don't be afraid if this question comes up in an interview. Youve got this! This potential follow-up is the reason you need to prepare more than one weakness. Unconscious-Thought Effects Take Place Off-Line, Not On-Line. Here are some other common weaknesses wearing a work ethic disguise: Here are some ideas for describing weaknesses related to work ethic. He further mentioned, "Because, by large, I am a nice guy, but sometimes people take that niceness for weakness and they misunderstand that. Everyone overthinks sometimes. These questions can help the interviewer get to know you better, as well as see where you might be compatible with the company and its culture. Eur J Psychol. You can create a profile on the website, and then ZipRecruiter will send you job recommendations based on your profile. But dont worry, because there are definitely things about you that make you stand out from the crowd and make you an ideal candidate for a particular job. 3 Times You're Overthinking Your Interview (and 3 Times You're Not Thinking About it Enough) I used to think I was the only person who overthought job Think honestly of times in your nursing He also reacts to multiple earnings. At the same time, interviewers recognize the subjective limitations of the question itself, what are your weaknesses? Negative introspection is uncomfortable for most people at the best of times, in familiar company. One way to do this is by doing some self-assessment. For example, when you dont fall asleep right away, you might imagine that youll be overtired the following day. So now consider the weaknesses question as a golden opportunity to stand out from the rest. When discussing your weaknesses, be honest and give specific examples rather than general statements. It could be because your answer was particularly good and interesting, or it could be because it lacked something. This is the acceptable version of the 'Im just too much of a perfectionist' answer. Remember to practice practice practice. It becomes consumed by the one thing you are thinking about. Even if youve done your research and feel confident about your qualifications, there are bound to be a few common job interview questions that catch you off guard. Her career and management content has been published on Forbes, Mashable, Business Insider, Inc., and Newsweek. By using our website, you consent to all cookies in accordance with our, Weaknesses: What to say when interviewers ask. Dont be caught off guard by this common interview question about your professional weaknesses. Signs of overthinking include: Overthinking can happen for several reasons. Job interviews are a delicate balance between making a great first impression and answering the interviewers questions honestly. Honesty and authenticity are your best friends when job searching. Not preparing enough. 2022;5(2):10632-10642. doi:10.33258/birci.v5i2.4876, Ainsworth B, Bolderston H, Garner M. Testing the differential effects of acceptance and attention-based psychological interventions on intrusive thoughts and worry. Youll get a response like this if they think you are reluctant to talk about a real weakness. Everyone. Overthinking impairs the quality of your sleep too. Learn what overthinking is, some signs you may be an overthinker, and a few reasons some people think too much. I know that, in the future, I need to be more comfortable switching focus when its needed. Dressing inappropriately. When an interviewer asks about your biggest weakness, they arent looking to see how much you hate yourself. seeming well organized at the onset. I find it difficult to get along with people I dont really like taking orders from my superiors and I respond badly to any negative feedback. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. It not only demonstrates that you can deliver a good answer, but that you can think on your feet and have good communication skills. Make your job-winning resume easy and fast with our top resume builder. Always keep the STAR method in mind when describing your weaknesses in an interview. You dont want the interviewer to perceive you as a candidate who isnt qualified. Instead of berating yourself for things you might regret, try working toward being more accepting and compassionate of yourself. ZipRecruiter uses artificial intelligence (AI) to match you with the best jobs for your skills and interests. 4. For example, if you are interviewing for a position as an accountant, stating that you are bad at math would create a negative impact on your chances of getting hired. A perfect basic canvas, Job-winning templates to showcase professionalism, dependability and expertise, A current and stylish feel for forward-thinking candidates in innovative fields, A bold, original feel perfect for artistic fields and contemporary companies. How to answer Tell me about yourself in an interview (with examples), The worst job interview questions, revealed, Weakness example: Job-specific hard/soft skill, Sample weakness: Interpersonal communication ability, Weakness example: Perfectionism, overthinking, too detail-oriented, Sample weakness: Multi-tasking can be a minefield, How to answer almost any interview question. These will include mandatory job requirements that come with the territory of being shortlisted for the position. Tasks or work-related skills that you find difficult or dislike, Times you have failed or underperformed at work, Any criticism you have received from supervisors, Anything you have been told you need to work on. Overthinking, on the other hand, fuels uncomfortable emotions and doesnt look for solutions. This can provide clues about your judgment and analytical abilities as a proactive problem-solver. Research shows thinking less about a problem might actually be the key to developing better solutions. Do you have a mentor or executive coach? In the same way your most directly relevant strengths should always be tailored to the position and employer, so should the specific weaknesses you choose to mention (or not) in any given interview. Your brain may find better ways to work out a solution in the background while youre distracted with another tasklike working in the garden. Realize that you cannot control everything. Sifting through job boards, sending out resumes, and preparing for interviews can take up hours of your day that you might not have to spare. Its a way of structuring any example-based response you give that ensures all the key components are there. You should be prepared with questions and concerns regarding the position, your salary expectations, etc. Its perfectly normal to review and learn from an interviewbut taking that too far can distract you from your goal of getting a job and, instead, cause a whole lot of stress and anxiety. With the 2023 NFL draft in sight, its a good time to look back on Drew Brees 2016 appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, in which the future Hall of Famer read back some of the strengths and weaknesses that pro scouts had written down in his draft profile. Are you suffering from impostor syndrome? Or, you might sleep on it and discover that your brain solves the problem for you while youre sleeping. That may cause you to feel anxiouswhich may make it even harder to fall asleep. Are there areas of your job history that you are not particularly proud of? Im much more comfortable digging deep into the data and providing the analysis, rather than talking it through with a client. Some common weaknesses that are looked for in a job include: not being able to work independently, not having good communication skills, and not having strong leadership skills. The weaknesses you choose should ideally be: Not fundamental to the job. This might mean that I work too hard but its worth it to me because its so annoying finishing work thats less than perfect. As with any job application strategy, it depends on the hiring situation. You are applying for an analyst position, largely working with numbers and data: I dont have much experience working directly with clients so my client-facing communication skills definitely need some work. It also displays a critical lack of self-reflection and can easily come across as arrogant. Also ill-advised: Id rather not say, or Hmm, Id have to give that more thought.. April 24, 2023 6:38 pm CT. Heres a throwback for New Orleans Saints fans. This interview guide helps you to walk into that interview with the best chance of getting a positive result. Then we took the 10 worst questions and looked for expert advice on how to tackle them. Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact resume rules employers look for. Answer: One of my greatest weaknesses is time management. First, take a breath and realize that this is normal. But my biggest breakthrough two years ago was signing up for improv classes through the university drama program. ", "Which of this roles tasks or duties would you struggle with the most? If school is still part of your life, or was not too long ago, citing an academic difficulty can work well when you are asked about weaknesses in a job interview. The ideal candidate will have both strengths and weaknesses that match the job. But, when youre overthinking, you might find yourself replaying a conversation in your head repeatedly or imagining something bad happening many times. Pick out all the key skills and requirements and make sure that the weakness you choose does not apply to any of them. The following are some common job interview questions that may be asked when interviewing a potential employee. (With Examples), Aptitude Test: Free Practice Aptitude Tests (2023), Answering the Interview Question: Tell Me About a Time You Failed, How to Answer the Interview Question: "What Was Your Biggest Setback? So is overthinking a strength or a weakness? Tell me about yourself the dreaded opening interview question that most candidates will face at some point in their career. Lack of Organization. Positive perspectives: what you say about weaknesses can work in your favor, Ways to frame weaknesses in a strong context: a look at two angles with examples. For the purposes of this question, save your childhood traumas for the therapist. 10. 2. My weakness is that I just hate getting up in the morning. It helps keep your examples concise and engaging. 2021 Sep;47(9):1327-1342. doi:10.1177/0146167220965303. Instead, focus on weaknesses that dont have anything to do with the job itself. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. This can come across as unprofessional and might not reflect well on you in the eyes of the interviewer. Now youre excited and a bit nervous. Im comfortable speaking up in team meetings and will happily give presentations to my colleagues at work. Baby Center Courses Review: What Is It All About? 'What are your weaknesses?' Did you dress it up as a strength or severely undersell it? Clean, timeless templates with a classic balanced structure. What I discovered about the merits of single-tasking was liberating. So I decided to read up on the subject and try alternatives. Start by thinking back to your previous roles, projects, school or volunteer work. Show your initiative and growth mindset by breaking down the precise actions you are taking to overcome your weaknesses. Whats your gut feeling about the meeting as a whole? 4. Whatever your weaknesses may be, make sure to focus on them and avoid talking about anything related to the job you are interviewing for. Also, explore different types of overthinking, the effects on your mental health and relationships, and how to stop overthinking things in your life. As long as youre not talking about a tough or failed course that could scuttle your chances of being hired, feel free to mention anything that has no direct bearing on your candidacy. We surveyed 2.000 Americans to determine the worst questions you could get asked when interviewing for a job. Here's how to recognize the signs that you're overthinking. When hiring managers ask about your strengths and weaknesses, they evaluate a few things: How you conduct a self-assessment. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how you can stop dwelling in a negative mindset. Find her on Twitter, rehearsing the answers to these tough questions over and over again, demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and company, prepared for any and every behavioral-based question. If you can be open and honest about your flaws, then the interviewer knows that you are capable of being truthful and that you have a good sense of self-awareness. Strategies that may help you become more self-accepting include: If you cant break free from overthinking, consider getting professional help. So its harder to fall into a deep slumber when your brain is busy overthinking everything.. Kaiser BN, Haroz EE, Kohrt BA, Bolton PA, Bass JK, Hinton DE. Make sure there is no diminished impact on your ability to fulfill essential or important job requirements. They just want to know if you can be honest and if you are aware of your own shortcomings. Being disorganized can be one of the acceptable weaknesses for a job interview, especially when applying for a remote job. When you describe your weaknesses, provide some realistic approach that you have been trying to overcome these through a systematic process. Dont risk it. But, overanalyzing and obsessing actually becomes a barrier. Now, as a staff writer/editor for The Muse and a content marketing writer for a healthcare IT company, she gets to do what she loves every daywrite and edit content ranging from demand generation campaigns to career advice. Failing to sell yourself properly. Here are some of the strengths and weaknesses you can use in your HR interview: 5 Strengths for HR Interview to Land Your Dream Job Clarity Determinate Organization Skills Patient Polite and Honest 5 Weakness for HR Interview to Land Your Dream Job Perfectionist Introverted Stressing too much to complete work before the Dont make something up youll come across as disingenuous and might not be able to handle any follow-up questions. Maybe, for example, you want to be able to think better on your feet, so you dont stumble over your words when youre asked an unexpected question. Then, assess each of them by the criteria above: If a weakness passes each of those tests, then it should be a good one. While interviewers certainly pay attention to the small things, it can help you get past that tendency to overanalyze if you simply take a step back and try to look at the big picture, rather than get lost in the details: Did you feel a good connection between you and the interviewer? For instance, problems with essay writing or standardized tests might be suitable weaknesses in a job interview, if you are careful to point out report-writing or instruction-following strengths that are directly relevant to the job. The outline now reflects the full extent of research already done beforehand, with a strict cutoff. If you dont talk about anything that sounds like a plausible weakness, you come across as disingenuous or, worse, deluded as to your lack of shortcomings. Do not involve abilities that are essential or important to this job, Reflect your motivation to overcome or minimize the impact through corrective actions, Creating attractive charts and graphs for presentations and reports, Legal and regulatory updates in the
overthinking as a weakness interview