How to Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses for a Job Interview

In a job interview, employers are typically looking for applicants who have strengths that will benefit their company. If you know what strengths your employer wants before you arrive at your interview, you will be better prepared at convincing him that you are the right candidate for the job. Similarly, certain attributes or traits may be considered weaknesses by a potential employer. To prevent those weaknesses from disqualifying you, you should have an answer for how those apparent weaknesses can actually provide some benefit.

Instructions

1. Be honest. If you are deluded regarding your strengths and weaknesses, you may never find a suitable job. Boasting about strengths you have that you cannot actually demonstrate to your interviewer will not win over any potential employers.

2. Take a personality test. Sometimes it is hard for people to do an accurate self-assessment. Numerous personality and employment tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Personality Test, are available that may help you reach the honest truth about your interests and abilities.

3. Envision what your employer may want. Although you cannot read the mind of your potential employer, the field the company is in and the job title for which it is hiring should give you clear indications of the talents and strengths it needs. If you possess the skills your employer needs, label those as your strengths. If you are lacking in certain basic requirements, you have found at least some of your weaknesses.

4. Tweak your weaknesses. All applicants have some weaknesses, but successful job hunters can usually adapt their weaknesses to something that the interviewer regards more favorably. For example, if your job calls for teamwork and you are by nature an individual worker, emphasize how your ability to think on your own can provide fresh insight to the “group think” that may occur with ideas developed by a team.

5. Review sample questions. Going to a job interview can create great stress even in well-prepared applicants, and fumbling your way through an interview can kill your chances even if you come loaded with strengths. As with any situation, part of this anxiety arises from fear of the unknown. While you can’t know with any certainty the questions you will be asked in an interview, there are a number of questions that interviewers commonly ask applicants. If you can review and rehearse these questions before you arrive at your interview, it may help to calm your nerves and prevent you from transforming your strengths into a major weakness.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep printouts of your personality profile and review them just before going into your interview. This will build self-confidence and help you talk about yourself in a positive light during the interview.

• Practice answering the "strengths and weaknesses question" out loud before the actual interview.

• Coming up with examples to demonstrate your strengths and weaknesses is a key step to performing well. Don't worry if you can't think of them immediately. As the day progresses, you will come up with more and more. Keep a notebook handy to jot them down as they come to you.

• Use words actually found in the job description when describing your strengths.

References

• CollegeGrad.com: Job Interview Strength and Weakness
• CNN.com: Answering “What Are Your Weaknesses?”
• Monster.com: What Are Your Greatest Strengths and Weaknesses

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish