Make a list of all your possible weaknesses. Overthinking is a common habit for many people, and it can be both a strength and a weakness. My hope is that the example inspires you as you prepare for your next job interview. This form of overthinking happens when you base a rule or expectation for the future on a single or random event from the past. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. J Abnorm Psychol. 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. When you are trying to find your strengths and weaknesses, it is important to keep in mind that no one is perfect. It can be difficult at first, but learning to call out your own overthinking can help you learn to replace negative thoughts with more helpful ones. But if you're a little too honest or if your weakness is a critical one, you risk sabotaging your interview. The hardest part is over! I have been a restaurant server, a tutor, and a health aide in the past decade, all jobs that require plenty of energy and endurance. Make sure you know about the company and the job youre interviewing for. What did you struggle with? Our strengths help us navigate our weaknesses, so its a fine strategy to weave one into your answer. Weaknesses 2. Here's how to recognize the signs that you're overthinking. Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. First, take a breath and realize that this is normal. Instead of going over something in your mind again and again, you can start to take the steps necessary to resolve the situation. If youre not the best at math, you could use your strong critical thinking skills to figure out solutions to complex problems. Weaknesses: What to say when interviewers ask Resume.io Here are a few questions to support you in identifying and communicating your weaknesses: While you want to be honest with your answer, you also want to avoid highlighting a weakness that may cause the recruiter or hiring manager to second-guess your qualifications and abilities. 4. Arriving late for an interview shows that you are not taking it seriously and that you dont value the interviewers time. Overthinkers could also be seen as careful perfectionists that take the time to consider all aspects of a decision so they don't miss anything. Maybe you dont understand how your client-facing colleagues come across so effectively. All products and services featured are independently selected by WikiJob. Some common examples of weaknesses for a job interview answer include: Self-critical Too sensitive Overly competitive Perfectionist Stubborn Disorganized I would say that I can be too direct. Before suggesting which are good weaknesses for a job interview, here are some general thoughts on how to go about it. Find a middle ground and be assertive without being overwhelming. You should be prepared to answer questions about yourself, your work experience, and why you want this particular job. Behaviour Research and Therapy. Consequently, Im excited about all of the opportunities that are currently available to me.. 7. Tailor your response accordingly and it will come across as off-the-cuff, confident and fluent. ON THE WORK FRONT FOR DINO MOREA. It means starting the project earlier but avoiding the bottleneck that used to occur later. Psychological Science. (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? Strategies that may help you become more self-accepting include: If you cant break free from overthinking, consider getting professional help. My positive attitude is definitely one of my strengths. If youre struggling to come up with any weaknesses, its probably not because youre perfect. Dont risk it. The company was planning on making drastic changes that I didnt agree with and felt would negatively impact my work environment. All rights reserved. In this new role, I will continue to be incredibly mindful of my facial expressions. 2017;91:72-77. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2017.01.012, Chwyl C, Chen P, Zaki J. Beliefs about self-compassion: Implications for coping and self-improvement. Obsessing about every little thing other people do and say can also mean that you misunderstand what they are trying to convey. Interviewers ask about your weaknesses to see how you respond and if you have the self-awareness to identify your weaknesses and improve on them. This is a BETA experience. Many of these are caused by cognitive distortions, which are negative or distorted ways of thinking. A Few Ways Answer "What Is Your Greatest Weakness?" Get specific! This is done to see how a candidate handles a Rather than disguising a strength as a weakness, use this as an opportunity to address skills or personal characteristics you could improve. Job interviews are a delicate balance between making a great first impression and answering the So I could be a Shaybani Khan for a day." This issue is easily fixed, which makes it an ideal weakness example; just Or if you have been improving your time management, describe how working more efficiently has impacted positively on a particular task or project. Of course, that can cause problems in a busy workplace. Weakness Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. Take the necessary steps to move past this interview, and youll be even stronger for the next one. For the purposes of this question, save your childhood traumas for the therapist. While your answer should be honest, you do not want to reveal a weakness that would severely hinder your performance. From the fresh graduate to the most experienced CEO. By using our website, you consent to all cookies in accordance with our, Weaknesses: What to say when interviewers ask. Ask yourself if they are realistic. 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. Did you dress it up as a strength or severely undersell it? Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Debbie moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba as a young adult, settling into that vibrant prairie hub for a life and career chapter spanning four decades. Everyone. They can help you develop the mental tools and coping skills you need to prevent overthinking. There are many potential mistakes that can be made in a job interview, but some are more common than others. My three biggest takeaways about single-tasking: its far less stressful, I can focus on should dos instead of could dos and it boosts my creativity. They may also contribute to success in the workplace. Why didnt I say delegation when she asked about my strengths? By asking this question, they are looking to see if you have taken the time to reflect on your own abilities and whether or not you are someone who is willing to work on improving yourself. He further mentioned, "Because, by large, I am a nice guy, but sometimes people take that niceness for weakness and they misunderstand that. 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. Also, be honest about why you left and what inspired you to look for a new opportunity. in our dedicated article on the STAR technique, To check that you dont have any critical, "What would your employer or colleagues describe as your biggest weakness? Dino Morea calls himself 'sweet, nice' guy, says sometimes Overthinking often stems from dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about things that you cannot change. Im much more comfortable digging deep into the data and providing the analysis, rather than talking it through with a client. Its made a world of difference in my productivity, effectiveness and energy. Weaknesses can be difficult to identify and even harder to discuss. ON THE WORK FRONT FOR DINO MOREA. You may opt-out by. Previously, I worked independently in a small office, with little or no supervision most of the time. 2013;122(2):339-352. doi:10.1037/a0031994, Thomsen DK, Mehlsen MY, Christensen S, Zachariae R. Ruminationrelationship with negative mood and sleep quality. Above all, they are interested in your desire and capacity to improve and develop. Instead, turn your weaknesses into positives by showing how you overcome them. Demonstrate how you are working on effectively addressing the weakness. I enjoyed working at my previous job but ultimately decided to leave because of the companys direction. 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. Practice mindfulness. And, perhaps more importantly, is it significant enough to merit that kind of explanation? Being able to articulate your weaknesses honestly, and then explain how you are working to improve upon them, can demonstrate your dedication and commitment to the job. Build powerful resumes in only 5minutes with our easy to use Resume Builder and get hired faster. You can create a profile on the website, and then ZipRecruiter will send you job recommendations based on your profile. Learn what overthinking is, some signs you may be an overthinker, and a few reasons some people think too much. 5. Dont get caught out by the follow-up question. Since leaving my last job, Ive had the opportunity to interview with several other companies and am much more confident in my abilities. Shyness, fear of public speaking, and even becoming tongue-tied in front of colleagues or bosses have been a long-time challenge. 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. This is sometimes in the realm of work ethics gone overboard. In many cases, youll find that what youre thinking of as huge, decision-impacting mistakes arent things you really need to address. Questions along the lines of "What are your greatest weaknesses?" Being cocky or arrogant. Learning how to reframe them in a more positive way can help relieve the tendency to overthink. Pretending to be is neither realistic nor credible and will do yourself no favors. Everyone has weaknesses. They may also help you identify coping strategies that work for you, such as mindfulness or physical exercise. Giving this answer either paints you as dishonest or deluded, and neither of those are positive traits. Lack of Organization. When candidates are doing their best to make a good impression, the interviewer asks them to talk themselves down. And, your brain might even develop a solution for you when you stop thinking about the problem. Some disorders that are associated with overthinking include: Overthinking can have a bidirectional relationship with mental health issues. Not being able to answer common interview questions. Putting your effort into writing a thoughtful note will do much more good than thinking through your interview for the hundredth time. By focusing all your energy on what you could or should have said, youre only bringing more stress on yourself. Assuming the worst and jumping to incorrect conclusions can lead to arguments and conflicts with other people. A good rule of thumb is to avoid casting doubt on anything related to the qualifications listed in the job posting. question What are your Weaknesses in a job interview Make sure you remain on course for a job by providing genuine and authentic answers Stop being a perfectionist. 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. Research has found that a 10-minute meditation can be an effective way to stop intrusive thoughts and worry. One of my biggest weaknesses is that I wear my feelings on my face. When hiring managers ask about your strengths and weaknesses, they evaluate a few things: How you conduct a self-assessment. Research shows thinking less about a problem might actually be the key to developing better solutions. What skills and technology expertise are you hoping to develop in your next job. And while its important to be truthful in your answers, you also dont want to give the interviewer any ammunition to use against you later on. Heres an example that shows the difference between overthinking and problem-solving: Problem-solving can lead to productive action. Its a technique you should be familiar with and practice. As your mental health declines, you are more likely you are to ruminate on your thoughts. Im scared of dogs. Here are a few tips for talking about weaknesses in an interview: 1. Remember, the key is to select a weakness that isnt fundamental to your ability to perform the role and then to demonstrate that youre proactive about fixing that weakness. Why do job interviewers ask about weaknesses? If possible, give specific examples of times when you have struggled with a particular weakness. However, I realise that experience working with clients directly would be a big help to the way I present my analysis so Im very keen to improve that aspect. 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. However, before you start panicking, its important to understand that weaknesses are just that- weaknesses.