What are your weaknesses? In some respects, someone that overthinks can be perceived to be unsure of themselves and their decision-making. Ask family, friends, or even past employers about the areas in which you could use some improvement. Overthinking impairs the quality of your sleep too. Or, you might sleep on it and discover that your brain solves the problem for you while youre sleeping. My hope is that the example inspires you as you prepare for your next job interview. 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. Calm the jitters and impress the hiring manager with preparation. A persuasive resume and cover letter in that regard likely won you the job interview in the first place. And last week, in an interview with CNBC News, he said 75, 80, 85 percent and 75 to 80-plus percent. In a telephone interview the next day, Dr. Fauci I dont like substandard effort so I make sure all my work is perfect. Founder, career coach and interview coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com. What did you struggle with? Mention the steps youve taken. Pinpoint that one thing, and make that the target point of improvement for your next interview. This is relatively rare in applicants. This 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. 3. It might even be a goal youve already acted on, but in an area where more knowledge and experience would be beneficial. With greater control over the course of discussion, you decide when and how to shift direction from negative to positive. 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. Take the necessary steps to move past this interview, and youll be even stronger for the next one. Finding a way to break out of this cycle can often help relieve some symptoms of these conditions. J Abnorm Psychol. Questions along the lines of "What are your greatest weaknesses?" Learn what overthinking is, some signs you may be an overthinker, and a few reasons some people think too much. And it may get your mind focused on something more productive. Of course, any answer you give will need to be specific to both you and the role. On the other hand, overthinking can also lead to anxiety and stress, and it can prevent you from taking action or moving forward with your plans. 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. Ive been working on applying all that Ive learned and last week a colleague came to thank me for some feedback on a recent presentation. May be less job-specific but generally important in most occupations to varying extents, Learned and developed at school or on the job, Largely innate or developed socially and institutionally, reflecting personality and behaviors, Ease in delegating tasks, saying no or asking for help, Well organized in setting goals and balancing priorities, Spontaneity, flexibility, adaptability or risk-taking, Giving / receiving directions, constructive feedback or assistance, Physical strength, stamina, coordination, flexibility, speed. This helps to ensure that the candidate is a good fit for the position and that they can bring value to the company. Most job applicants can think of a talent, trait or tendency worth learning or developing, now or down the road. Furthermore, this answer shows no willingness or proactive drive to resolve the issue. So what are the best weaknesses to discuss with an interviewer? You have to be brutally honest with yourself about what you are good at and what you need to work on. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Shyness, fear of public speaking, and even becoming tongue-tied in front of colleagues or bosses have been a long-time challenge. This is not really a weakness, it may be seen by the interviewer to be a veiled attempt at presenting a positive as a negative. for tailoring each version of your resume. This question can be difficult to answer, as it depends on your own individual values and motivations. When you find yourself overthinking, challenge these thoughts. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Read on to find out how you can tackle this tricky question and turn your greatest weaknesses into your greatest interview strength. Keep in mind the mutually exclusive difference between perfectly honest and honestly perfect. The first is desirable in the hiring scenario we are describing, while the second sounds dishonest. Am I taking steps to improve in that area. Get specific! My blogs and articles consistently perform well and reach the top of Google searches. Find the One Thing You Want What Not To Say Dont go overboard. Research suggests that overthinking is associated with feelings of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Behaviour Research and Therapy. As your mental health declines, you are more likely you are to ruminate on your thoughts. 2003;34(7):1293-1301. doi:10.1016/s0191-8869(02)00120-4, Strick M, Dijksterhuis A, van Baaren RB. Stressful events, depression, and anxiety can make people more prone to overthinking, and then this overthinking contributes to worse stress, anxiety, and depression. Overthinking is different from problem-solving. Another way to identify your weaknesses is to ask for feedback from others. If overthinking is taking a toll on your well-being, consider talking to a mental health professional. One quick glance gives me a color-coded snapshot of all my commitments. This form of overthinking happens when you base a rule or expectation for the future on a single or random event from the past. Disclaimer: This article is sponsored by ZipRecruiter, and as affiliates we may get commissions for actions taken after clicking links on this page. If your answer isnt honest, doesnt reflect on your skills and your gaps, and doesnt demonstrate a willingness to improve, then it needs some work. ON THE WORK FRONT FOR DINO MOREA. You can create a profile on the website, and then ZipRecruiter will send you job recommendations based on your profile. I think its the greatest invention ever and has many potential uses, even if slide presentations are not a job requirement. Its a repetitive cycle that can be tough to break. Your answer might have sounded too rehearsed and they want to see if you can think on your feet. Instead of looking at both the good and the bad, you might analyze an event only in terms of it being a total success or a total failure. And while a little healthy self-reflection can help you learn from your mistakes, rehashing and second-guessing is a form of mental torture. Start by thinking back to your previous roles, projects, school or volunteer work. ", "What is the biggest regret youll have on leaving your present job? Make sure you know about the company and the job youre interviewing for. This is the acceptable version of the 'Im just too much of a perfectionist' answer. Rather than sit and think about a problem for endless amounts of time, you can distract yourself for a bit. They just want to know if you can be honest and if you are aware of your own shortcomings. Youve got this! Study: how do cover letters differ around the world? Self-help strategies like distracting yourself and challenging your thoughts can help. 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. So is overthinking a strength or a weakness? "Thinking too much": A systematic review of a common idiom of distress. You want to appear humble and willing to admit when youre not perfect, but you also dont want to make yourself sound like a complete disaster. Some people view weaknesses as negative qualities, but they can actually be helpful in identifying areas in which you need to improve. Why 2023 Gold House A100 List Has Starbucks CEO But No Michelle Yeoh, Parent PowerED: Parents Powering Solutions In Education, Conversations Across Generations: Shawn Dove And Peter Storey, Empowering Young Adults Through Tech With Sandee Kastrul Of i.c. 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. Ive found it much easier to handle this situation since I started using a project management app on my phone and laptop. Interviewing is stressful. Youll get a response like this if they think you are reluctant to talk about a real weakness. I enjoyed working at my previous job but ultimately decided to leave because of the companys direction. My weakness is that I just hate getting up in the morning. Introspective insights into your self-improvement goals could give you an edge over other candidates sharing taken-for-granted strengths in common. 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. ", "Is there any area of your skill set that you feel still needs work? However, they can be answered positively and even present you in a favourable light if you remember some key points. The goal is not to clear your mind, but rather to focus it on something and practice redirecting your focus whenever your thoughts wander. It is useful at this stage to have a thorough look at the job description. Otherwise, this is the time to just be honest. All products and services featured are independently selected by WikiJob. I look forward to the weekends so I can have a lie-in without worrying about getting up for work. If leadership is your weakness, perhaps you have recently started managing someone and received positive feedback. Read this article to master this question, and then search for jobs on ZipRecruiter. Weaknesses, on the other hand, are often viewed as areas of improvement. 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. You can read more about the STAR technique, including how to use it most effectively, and find some example answers in our dedicated article on the STAR technique. Actually, I ended up enjoying it.. When an interviewer asks about your biggest weakness, they arent looking to see how much you hate yourself. 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. With this in mind, I am working to be more mindful of my facial expressions when in meetings. Im much more comfortable digging deep into the data and providing the analysis, rather than talking it through with a client. Many people can identify with a fear of public speaking. 2022 Mommy Bear Reviews. 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. Did I really think it made me better or smarter at getting more things done faster? It helps keep your examples concise and engaging. This is sometimes in the realm of work ethics gone overboard. Make sure there is no diminished impact on your ability to fulfill essential or important job requirements. This type of overthinking involves thinking things are worse than they are. When Im giving feedback to colleagues I try to be very honest but I have learned that sometimes my comments come across as brusque. How do you do that? While this method would typically be used when talking about your positive traits and achievements (after all, thats mostly what you want to be doing in an interview), its still useful when talking about your weaknesses. After all, youre there to show them how capable you are, not to talk about what youre bad at. You can say something like, I am motivated by a desire to achieve new challenges to advance my professional career.. Practise the STAR method to structure an effective answer. You could waste a lot of time thinking your life would be better if youd only taken that other job or not started a business. 8. You should be prepared with questions and concerns regarding the position, your salary expectations, etc. That may cause you to feel anxiouswhich may make it even harder to fall asleep. Cognitive distortions, humor styles, and depression. Demonstrate how you are working on effectively addressing the weakness. Answer: One of my greatest weaknesses is time management. Identifying and addressing an area of challenge demonstrates growth and maturity. Related: Top 16 Interview Questions and Overall, did you demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and company? They can help you develop the mental tools and coping skills you need to prevent overthinking. One way to do this is by doing some self-assessment. seeming well organized at the onset. Before forming your interview answers about weaknesses, it's important to reflect on the areas where you can improve. Again, be specific and share how this new role will enable you to further grow. 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? It can also find you unable to stop when enough is enough. When interviewing for a job, keep in mind that the interviewer wants to know what you are good at and where you could improve. This presents you with an opportunity to stand out; if you practice and prepare well, it can work in your favour. Offer examples. Pick out all the key skills and requirements and make sure that the weakness you choose does not apply to any of them. Like any other aspect of a tailored job search strategy, the weaknesses you pinpoint should be customized to the hiring situation. That comes across as genuine and shows that the candidate is proactive and self-reflective. The weaknesses you choose should ideally be: Not fundamental to the job. Prepare carefully for this opportunity to show deeper dimensions of your worthiness as a serious job contender. Preparation and practice are the best ways to get yourself ready for the big day. Make sure you have three weaknesses ready for your job interview since three is a popular number to ask for.Taking honest stock of your skill deficiencies and troublesome traits or tendencies is the first step. It could be because your answer was particularly good and interesting, or it could be because it lacked something. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Interview weaknesses is a common type of interview question whereby a candidate is asked to list a weakness. My positive attitude is definitely one of my strengths. And last month, I volunteered to give a presentation at a networking event I attend. Weve compiled dozens of interview questions and sample answers to guide you through the process and get that job. can be intimidating. Show your initiative and growth mindset by breaking down the precise actions you are taking to overcome your weaknesses. Sahak Manuelian, Wedbush Securities head of equity trading, joins 'Closing Bell: Overtime' to discuss today's market weakness and finding opportunities in stocks. It took me a while to get used to asking for help or clarification in my current job, even when useful or necessary. Obviously, you wouldnt want it any other way nor would prospective employers. ", "Tell me about a time when you let your team down". 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. Baby Center Courses Review: What Is It All About? Tie in a strength. 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. What areas of opportunity did you identify in your most recent performance evaluation? For example, if your worry is that you came across as nervous or jittery, youd find that itd probably be better to simply let it pass than awkwardly explain it (I know my palms were sweaty when we shook handssorry about that!) in a thank you note (more on that here). Overthinking may be a symptom of a mental health issue, like depression or anxiety. Here are a few suggestions. This is a BETA experience. Remind yourself that your thoughts are not facts. 4. Can you think of any weaknesses that might come up when applying for a job? Remember the interviewer may use different terms when posing this question make sure you understand what they are really asking. Those job duties were straightforward and clearcut, and the solo workload was never too onerous. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. When you describe your weaknesses, provide some realistic approach that you have been trying to overcome these through a systematic process. I get very nervous about addressing large groups. Keep your comments positive, even if you hated your last job or boss. A related problem child of being detail-oriented is overthinking and rethinking projects past the point of manageability. Also ill-advised: Id rather not say, or Hmm, Id have to give that more thought.. So I could be a Shaybani Khan for a day." Arriving late for an interview shows that you are not taking it seriously and that you dont value the interviewers time. Talk about what you do to compensate for that weakness or any training you have taken to overcome it. Its a weakness that isnt critical to the role but the candidate recognises the ways that fixing their weakness would help them in the areas theyre already strong in. Everyone overthinks sometimes. 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. Your brain may find better ways to work out a solution in the background while youre distracted with another tasklike working in the garden. Instead, welcome the opportunity to tip the scales in your favor by framing weaknesses as strengths. The ideal candidate will have both strengths and weaknesses that match the job. Whats even likelier are the strengths youll have in common with most of those same competitors, if not everyone else being interviewed. Find a balance and be mindful of your interviewers time constraints. Being cocky or arrogant. Remember to practice practice practice. 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 overanalyzing, it may be because the interview was for either your dream jobor the only career possibility you have on your radar right now. By emphasizing the strengths that arise from your weaknesses, you can show potential employers that you have the ability to overcome challenges and grow as an employee. Then, assess each of them by the criteria above: If a weakness passes each of those tests, then it should be a good one. If the job involves thinking on your feet and using your initiative, your weakness could be that you become frustrated when you are expected to adhere to strict protocol at all times. What I discovered about the merits of single-tasking was liberating. 2013;122(2):339-52. doi:10.1037/a0031994, Pieter R, Nababan D, Ariawan S, Listio S, Ruben S. Improving interpersonal skills to overcome the negative effects of overthinking in the disruption era. 2021 Sep;47(9):1327-1342. doi:10.1177/0146167220965303. Heres an example: I tend to be a bit disorganized. Not being able to answer common interview questions. By focusing all your energy on what you could or should have said, youre only bringing more stress on yourself. The following are some common job interview questions that may be asked when interviewing a potential employee. Addressing your weaknesses in an interview can feel tricky. Always keep the STAR method in mind when describing your weaknesses in an interview. Overthinking involves thinking about a certain topic or situation excessively, analyzing it for long periods of time. Did you come across as confident or ridiculously conceited? However, before you start panicking, its important to understand that weaknesses are just that- weaknesses. Rumination: Why Do People Obsess Over Things? Make sure you remain on course for a job by providing genuine and authentic answers Its a technique you should be familiar with and practice. It does seem a little perverse. It released in Overthinking can take a toll on your mood and may make it even more difficult to make decisions in the future. It will be clear to the interviewer that they are trying to dodge the question while at the same time over-selling themselves. When hiring managers ask about your strengths and weaknesses, they evaluate a few things: How you conduct a self-assessment. Stop being a perfectionist. All Rights Reserved. This is the million-dollar question how do you pick a good weakness to talk about in your interview? I know that, in the future, I need to be more comfortable switching focus when its needed.