How to Positively Present Your Weaknesses in a Job Interview

To experience greater success in your job interview, avoid any sort of focus on your weaknesses. If pushed to reveal some, do so positively and always present them as potential for improvement. Here are some tips to let your strengths shine.

Things You'll Need

• Note cards

Instructions

Learn the Soft Spots

1. Prepare for your interview and outline your strengths as a potential employee. After you've spent at least 30 minutes doing this, spend the same amount of time listing your weaknesses. Remember to focus this exercise on your employability.

2. Write your characteristics on note cards and be positively descriptive. Turn your notes into complete sentences and read them aloud as though to an interviewer. Use a mirror to observe your positive and negative commentary.

3. Take another 30 minutes to write down, then speak out how you'll turn your perceived weaknesses into strengths. Emphasize that you'll do this through diligent practice and accountability. Take another hour to make sure your resume reflects your new attitude.

Present With Ease

1. Show evidence of your passionate preparation through demonstrated confidence at every point of your interview. Arrive at the office early and use your straightest posture and most professional attire. Remember that you already know what to say.

2. Inquire about your interviewers' day or their state of being. Be relaxed but fully present. Respond to questions with full eye contact and completely enunciated, conclusive answers. Focus on your positive attributes as an employee as specifically as possible.

3. Admit to what you might improve through hard work and fast learning, but maintain control. Focus on your abilities as a worker, a producer and a learner.

Wind It Up

1. Close with the same upright posture you showed at the beginning. Present any mention of weaknesses as minor aspects of your character. Maintain your confident demeanor to make them forgotten quickly.

2. Take advantage of a solicitous interviewer and ask how the process went. This will give you insight into your performance and can be helpful for future interviews.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice for an interview like you would a speech.

• Look at online job resources for insight on how to highlight strengths and hide weaknesses in your resume.

• Project confidence, but don't sound boastful.

• Avoid mentioning legally irrelevant topics in an employment interview, such as your marital status, race, religion or sexual orientation.