It is completely normal and human to have both strengths and weaknesses. An authentic and honest presentation in a job interview involves recognising and admitting your own weaknesses. Showing that you have already addressed your weaknesses and are actively working to improve them speaks to your self-reflection and willingness to develop personally. This can show you in a positive light as it demonstrates maturity and the ability to self-criticise. Admitting weaknesses is not a sign of weakness, but of strength of character.
Examples of strengths:
- Problem-solving skills: „I successfully solved complex problems in a school project.“
- Reliability: „During my internship, I was praised for my punctuality and reliability.“
- Ability to work in a team: „I work effectively in teams, which was demonstrated in a group project at school where we worked together to create a successful presentation.“
- Adaptability: „I adapt quickly to new situations, which benefited me during my internship in a fast-paced work environment.“
Examples of weaknesses:
- Dealing with criticism: „I used to take criticism personally, but now I see it as an opportunity to improve.“
- Delegating: „I tend to take on tasks myself
- Time management: „I initially had difficulties with time management, but I work with planning tools to improve my efficiency.“
- Public speaking: „I feel insecure about public speaking but actively participate in debating clubs to strengthen this skill.“
It is always beneficial to emphasise in the interview that you are working on your weaknesses.
For example, someone who initially had difficulty dealing with criticism could explain that they now consciously ask for feedback and use it constructively to improve.
On the subject of delegation, it could be mentioned that team projects have taught them to allocate tasks more effectively. For better time management, the use of planning tools and prioritisation techniques could be mentioned. Useful prioritisation techniques include, for example:
- Eisenhower matrix: Dividing tasks into categories such as „important and urgent“, „important but not urgent“, etc.
- Pareto principle (80/20 rule): Focusing on the 20% of tasks that bring 80% of the result.
- ABC analysis: categorisation of tasks into A (very important), B (important) and C (less important).
And when it comes to weaknesses in public speaking, it would be helpful to mention that you specifically set yourself situations that require speaking in front of groups in order to strengthen your self-confidence and skills in this area.