Questions along the lines of "What are your greatest weaknesses?" 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. Are you suffering from impostor syndrome? Is Overthinking A Weakness Interview Question [With Answers Strengths often reflect positively on an individual and can give them an edge in the competition. J Abnorm Psychol. Always keep the STAR method in mind when describing your weaknesses in an interview. WebThe fact is that we all have weaknesses, so don't be afraid if this question comes up in an interview. Pretending to be is neither realistic nor credible and will do yourself no favors. It may seem like a great idea to continue rehearsing the answers to these tough questions over and over again until you get them perfect, but for the moment, take a break. That comes across as genuine and shows that the candidate is proactive and self-reflective. I also request that you provide me feedback on my executive presence during our one-on-one meetings. Answer "What Is Your Greatest Weakness Take the necessary steps to move past this interview, and youll be even stronger for the next one. Dont say that youre perfect. Quora - A place to share knowledge and better understand the world You have to be brutally honest with yourself about what you are good at and what you need to work on. So I could be a Shaybani Khan for a day." for How To Stop Overthinking at Work Dwelling on your problems, mistakes, and shortcomings, increases your risk of mental health problems, according to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.. So besides seeking more insight into your fitness for the position, recruiters want some indication of self-awareness and integrity. 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. I look forward to the weekends so I can have a lie-in without worrying about getting up for work. Identifying and addressing an area of challenge demonstrates growth and maturity. Obsessing about every little thing other people do and say can also mean that you misunderstand what they are trying to convey. Behaviour Research and Therapy. The answer is that it depends on the situation. My hope is that the example inspires you as you prepare for your next job interview. Many people leave their last job for a variety of reasons, but there are a few key things to keep in mind when answering this question during your job interview. Some interviewers will ask you to describe strengths and weaknesses in two separate stand-alone questions. This candidate shows no humility and more importantly no evidence of self-reflection. Ask for input from a friend or co-worker if you get stuck. This can come across as unprofessional and might not reflect well on you in the eyes of the interviewer. This is an important part of the hiring process, so it can be helpful to think about your strengths and weaknesses ahead. Start by thinking back to your previous roles, projects, school or volunteer work. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a therapist who can help you put an end to overthinking. The hardest part is over! But what can you do to get away from that habit of dissecting every little word, gesture, and facial expression from your interview? A weakness that isnt critical and that is easily fixed: In the past, Ive tended to want to complete one project in its entirety before moving onto another. However, I attended a number of time-management seminars and have found my workload much more manageable since then, and Im continuing to work on it. Schedule some time for reflection. Instead, turn your weaknesses into positives by showing how you overcome them. But as soon as the office door closes behind you, the interview starts replaying in your head. This means that your weakness needs to be something that you could feasibly improve through personal effort. If youre not the best at math, you could use your strong critical thinking skills to figure out solutions to complex problems. Rather than sit and think about a problem for endless amounts of time, you can distract yourself for a bit. Finding a way to break out of this cycle can often help relieve some symptoms of these conditions. question What are your Weaknesses in a job interview Then we took the 10 worst questions and looked for expert advice on how to tackle them. Overthinking can be a hard habit to break. Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact resume rules employers look for. Make your job-winning resume easy and fast with our top resume builder. Your answer should show self-awareness and a willingness to address your weaknesses. Perhaps start by saying Fair enough, youre right, this question is always hard to tackle in interviews and then follow up with a candid answer that really does reflect a weakness. It makes you sound arrogant. Remember the interviewer may use different terms when posing this question make sure you understand what they are really asking. Regardless, they want to hear a definite example and a little more self-reflection on how your weakness has affected you. Obviously, you wouldnt want it any other way nor would prospective employers. Ive come a long way, with plenty of support and practice. However, you should consider this question in your explanation of why you are interested in the position. If youre like most people, you probably think of your weaknesses as negative traits that need to be hidden during a job interview. This answer also manages to sneak in a strength (digging deep into data and providing analysis of it). Unless youre applying for a job working with animals, this weakness is just irrelevant. If youre struggling to come up with any weaknesses, its probably not because youre perfect. When you describe your weaknesses, provide some realistic approach that you have been trying to overcome these through a systematic process. Gradually Ive become more comfortable reaching out to coworkers or managers when I have questions or feel overwhelmed. If it was a real weakness, consider how you worded it. 2. How do you do that? They took positive steps to improve those skills and offer a solid example of the progress they have made. Remember to practice practice practice. Or, you might be fantastic with people, but struggle with organization. Stay humble and show that youre interested in learning more about the company and the position. Is Overthinking a Weakness? 2016;147:170-183. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.10.044, Michl LC, McLaughlin KA, Shepherd K, Nolen-Hoeksema S. Rumination as a mechanism linking stressful life events to symptoms of depression and anxiety: longitudinal evidence in early adolescents and adults. It can also play a role in mental health issues like anxiety and depression, so it is important to find ways to break out of such destructive thought patterns. If leadership is your weakness, perhaps you have recently started managing someone and received positive feedback. Self-help strategies like distracting yourself and challenging your thoughts can help. Meanwhile, on the work front, Dino Morea was recently seen in Akhil Akkineni's Agent. You might even convince yourself that thinking about something for a really long time is the key to developing the best solution. All products and services featured are independently selected by WikiJob. Framing is the operative word here, with the goal of shifting attention from the weakness itself to your manner of presenting in a relevant context. Almost no-one likes getting up early in the morning. Realize that you cannot control everything. 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. But 'What are your weaknesses?' It might even be a goal youve already acted on, but in an area where more knowledge and experience would be beneficial. It is important to be aware of your weaknesses before an interview so you can prepare yourself for any questions that may come up. Interviewers often ask this question to know about a candidates approach to finding new employment. But what if you could turn them into a positive trait that you can be proud of? Being disorganized can be one of the acceptable weaknesses for a job interview, especially when applying for a remote job. Many people can identify with a fear of public speaking. Research confirms what you likely already knowrumination interferes with sleep. Its a way of structuring any example-based response you give that ensures all the key components are there. Overthinking can be viewed as both a strength and a weakness; it is, therefore, not a strong answer to give when asked ", "Which of this roles tasks or duties would you struggle with the most? They can help you develop the mental tools and coping skills you need to prevent overthinking. Disclaimer: This article is sponsored by ZipRecruiter, and as affiliates we may get commissions for actions taken after clicking links on this page. Find a balance and be mindful of your interviewers time constraints. Remind yourself that your thoughts are not facts. ", Answering the Interview Question: "What are Two Examples of Work-Related Tasks that You Do Not Particularly Enjoy Doing?". So what are the best weaknesses to discuss with an interviewer? That may cause you to feel anxiouswhich may make it even harder to fall asleep. Arriving late. Keep in mind that different people may have different opinions about your weaknesses. I got hooked on PowerPoint after learning some basics years ago in a volunteer community group role. It can also find you unable to stop when enough is enough. Here are common examples of abilities or qualities that are not required or important in every job. Are there areas of your job history that you are not particularly proud of? 2013;122(2):339-352. doi:10.1037/a0031994, Thomsen DK, Mehlsen MY, Christensen S, Zachariae R. Ruminationrelationship with negative mood and sleep quality. 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. Overthinking can be viewed as both a strength and a weakness; it is, therefore, not a strong answer to give when asked about your weaknesses at interview. On the flip side, it may also increase your susceptibility to developing mental health problems. You probably wont get far if youre applying for an accounting job and your weakness is that youre awful with numbers. ", "Tell me about a time when you let your team down". But it can certainly be tricky to think about your own weaknesses. Finally, try to provide some concrete evidence of improvement. (2023 Guide), How to Answer the Interview Question "How Would You Describe Yourself?" 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. If you can be open and honest about your flaws, then the interviewer knows that you are capable of being truthful and that you have a good sense of self-awareness. Addressing your weaknesses in an interview can feel tricky. By focusing all your energy on what you could or should have said, youre only bringing more stress on yourself. They just want to know if you can be honest and if you are aware of your own shortcomings. There were about 50 people there and normally I would have been terrified at the thought of standing up in front of them. Are you currently working with your manager to improve your public speaking abilities? This is an answer thats honest and shows a good degree of critical self-reflection. When hiring managers ask about your strengths and weaknesses, they evaluate a few things: How you conduct a self-assessment. Be brief in your response. Research shows thinking less about a problem might actually be the key to developing better solutions. 4. Its a repetitive cycle that can be tough to break. Why do job interviewers ask about weaknesses? Maybe you keep thinking about all the things that could go wrong when you give your presentation next week, or youve wasted countless hours trying to decide what to wear to your upcoming job interview. J Abnorm Psychol. interview With practice, you will find it much easier to halt overthinking in its tracks before it becomes a more serious problem. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Make sure you remain on course for a job by providing genuine and authentic answers And it may get your mind focused on something more productive. Focus on the things you can change. Make sure there is no diminished impact on your ability to fulfill essential or important job requirements. Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Prepare carefully for this opportunity to show deeper dimensions of your worthiness as a serious job contender. Weaknesses Youll get a response like this if they think you are reluctant to talk about a real weakness. Eur J Psychol. Once more making sure to avoid disqualifying deal-breakers for this job, its not as hard as it may seem to frame your weaknesses in that context of striving to do better. Dont try to put on a brave face and pretend like you dont have them that will only hurt you in the long run. Above all, they are interested in your desire and capacity to improve and develop. Overthinking makes it harder to fall asleep. weakness Badmouthing your old boss or company. You should choose a weakness relating to relevant professional competencies. I find it difficult to get along with people I dont really like taking orders from my superiors and I respond badly to any negative feedback. The downside is procrastinators can get so anxious about doing things right that they do nothing at all. Did I really think it made me better or smarter at getting more things done faster? Up to this point, your qualifications and personal attributes have been emphasized from all the right angles. This is sometimes in the realm of work ethics gone overboard. is a minefield of a question and there are plenty of answers that really wont do. Then, either way, write and send that thank you note. And while a little healthy self-reflection can help you learn from your mistakes, rehashing and second-guessing is a form of mental torture. Dr. Fauci Looks Back: Something Clearly Went Wrong It does seem a little perverse. But in a more formal setting or in front of a crowd of strangers I do struggle. Interviewers cant help but be impressed by your openness to self-challenge on a path of learning, growth, and improvement. In some cases, overthinking can be helpful, but in other cases, it can be harmful. He said my comments had been really valuable. Learn what overthinking is, some signs you may be an overthinker, and a few reasons some people think too much. Use The Muse to find a job at a company with a culture you love. Phew, thats that out of the way. Or if you have been improving your time management, describe how working more efficiently has impacted positively on a particular task or project. Rumination: Why Do People Obsess Over Things? The interviewee makes it clear that they were not being actively unpleasant to colleagues, but were aware that their communication skills needed work and this was creating some negative feeling at work. by Mommy Bear | Jul 30, 2022 | Finance and Employment | 0 comments. This is relatively rare in applicants. This gives you less scope to elaborate too much and say something that will put the interviewer off. Overthinking may be a symptom of a mental health issue, like depression or anxiety. When Im giving feedback to colleagues I try to be very honest but I have learned that sometimes my comments come across as brusque. Verywell Mind's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Clean, timeless templates with a classic balanced structure. April 24, 2023 6:38 pm CT. Heres a throwback for New Orleans Saints fans. Practise the STAR method to structure an effective answer. 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. This presents you with an opportunity to stand out; if you practice and prepare well, it can work in your favour. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. This potential follow-up is the reason you need to prepare more than one weakness. Until thenand aside from thatgive yourself a break. Research: Attractive applicant more likely to get a job? This question is popular primarily because of its effectiveness at getting the candidate to think deeply about themselves. Tell me about yourself the dreaded opening interview question that most candidates will face at some point in their career. Click here to give ZipRecruiter a try today, Your email address will not be published. Most job applicants can think of a talent, trait or tendency worth learning or developing, now or down the road. You are applying for an analyst position, largely working with numbers and data: I dont have much experience working directly with clients so my client-facing communication skills definitely need some work. Like any other aspect of a tailored job search strategy, the weaknesses you pinpoint should be customized to the hiring situation. Overthinking can create an endless cycle of stress and worry, which can ultimately cause you to feel less prepared, motivated, and confident. Im able to say yes, no or maybe without hesitation, or any sense of guilt for letting anyone down. Its important that for each weakness you prepare to talk about, you have a relevant example ready to help you describe your weakness and demonstrate how you attempted to overcome it. And, perhaps more importantly, is it significant enough to merit that kind of explanation? It means starting the project earlier but avoiding the bottleneck that used to occur later. Here are a few ways to stop overthinking. Over and over and over. Actually, I ended up enjoying it.. By Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Ask yourself what your weaknesses are and how you can address them. When you overthink, you have a hard time getting your mind to focus on anything else. Overthinking can also take a serious toll on relationships. What company benefits are most important to you? Highlight the first and last job you had, how long you worked there, and the companys name. Looking for a job can be a full-time job in itself. The interviewer can easily follow your scenario from start to finish, getting all the important details along the way. If you attended a job fair, you can tell them, I was attending a job fair when I saw an advertisement for this position. All Rights Reserved. 3. 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.