10 Strategic “Weaknesses” to Share With Confidence in a Job Interview

Ben Rice

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I once attended a job interview where the boss threw me a curveball for the first question. He asked me, “Why shouldn't I hire you?” Admittedly, I was stumped for a moment before losing any chance I had with the legendarily bad “Because I will make you look bad with my heroic work ethic.” Spoiler alert: I didn't get called back. A recent online discussion shares much better advice for those job candidates expecting a similar scenario.

1. Inexperience

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“If you are younger, say inexperience,” suggests the first job-hunting mentor. This idea makes sense; by showing honesty, you demonstrate trustworthiness. Moreover, following this up with, “So I am hungry to learn,” may hold you in good stead.

2. Shyness With New Colleagues

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The right employer may find this quality endearing, which can be hidden behind a similar disposition. “For my current job, I said that I had a hard time sharing my ideas with new groups,” admits a frank contributor. Honesty is always right, and employers prefer someone who knows their weaknesses.

3. Bad Handwriting

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In the past, something like bad handwriting could be a factor in getting or keeping a job. However, modern standards and a corporate tilt towards personal wellness and mental health mean allowances for debilitating conditions are more present. Why not share that you struggle with handwriting if others struggle with other issues?

4. Being Terrible at Drawing a Straight Line

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Comically, a computer science major told a prospective employer, “Drawing; I can't even draw a stickman straight.” This maneuver proved a game changer: his interviewer was so amused he got out a pad and asked for proof. “He enjoyed my potato-drawing skills so much,” jokes the observer. “I was hired on the spot!”

5. Not Delegating Well

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Some people who run things find it hard to trust their subordinates with important projects, and they take on too much themselves. One contributor claims, “It might also encourage your employer to find opportunities for you to train other people to do things you particularly don't like doing.” Okay, let's not get ahead of ourselves; however, this idea could show you are a go-getter.

6. The Slam Dunk

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I am unsure whether this next move is original enough to attempt now that thousands of people have seen it, but I still love it. “I printed out a card that said, ‘Sometimes I over-prepare,' and handed it to them when they asked for it,” writes a sharp-thinking comedian. “I got the job.” And that is one of the coolest — yet somewhat potentially cringeworthy — job interview anecdotes ever.

7. Okay, Hear Me Out

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The next gentleman believes if you address an issue, you have been working on, this could count as a wildcard “weakness” for the big question. “Frame it in terms of something you're looking to improve,” advises an observer. He argues that if you explain how you were asked this question in a previous job and have since been working on it, your potential employer will take the bait.

8. Now You're Speaking My Language

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When asked about the inevitable, a healthcare worker uses “Not speaking Spanish” in work placement interviews. This method relies on playing the odds, says the health professional, and the “odds are the interviewer is also not fluent in Spanish, so it comes across as not really a weakness.” An interesting theory, if ever I heard one.

9. Play the Long Game

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I can just see this commenter's little face as this idea dropped into their head. “Figure out a skill that's not required for the job you are applying for but is required for the job two promotions above that job,” adds a cunning thread member. By playing two moves ahead, you can demonstrate a willingness to learn from those in a higher station.

10. Flattery

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If all else fails, the old flirtation trope may be your best shot when asked what your greatest weakness is. “Those big, blue eyes of yours,” suggests the next commentator with a Hail Mary of job interview responses. “My eyes are brown,” responds a contributor. “And my second-greatest weakness would probably be observational skills, I guess.”

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