Common job seeker weaknesses and how to solve for them
Every job seeker has things they wish they could improve. Come along as we discuss job seeker weaknesses and pair them with proactive solutions.
Back to TopYou're not perfect. Neither are we. No one is! Every person has a blind spot or an area ripe for improvement. Today, we'll discuss common job seeker weaknesses and how you can proactively work on them so you can land a great position.
Let's get into some of the things you might be struggling with...
You like to procrastinate
While we don't encourage you to overexplain, there's power in explaining why you do something. Some people work better under pressure, so it can be tempting to consciously or unconsciously induce that pressure through procrastination. We don't support this, but being honest about how you've done things in the past and pairing it with a strategic plan is a different approach.
The strategy, you ask? Tell the hiring manager how you combat this tendency with tools like to-do lists, self-imposed deadlines and anything else that helps you get things done.
Public speaking
Many people are anxious about standing up and talking about things that matter. It's okay to acknowledge this weakness. The best way to counter it is to explain that you aren't shying away.
Share any plans you have to confront the problem soon, such as leading local events, volunteering to present at work and more. You may also want to join organizations like Toastmasters, which is dedicated to improving people's public speaking ability.
Delegation
This is a common pain point for perfectionists, and here's the perfect way to showcase your recovery from that affliction! Talk about how you value fully owning a project and why you have trouble letting go. In short, you care.
However, let the interviewer know specific actions you are taking to be more collaborative. Some things you might try to improve yourself include:
- Create guides for new team members that can help them alleviate some of your workload while allowing you to maintain quality. Don't micromanage it after you set them free with the guide.
- Offer to cross-train people interested in your role so that when an opportunity pops up to pass on some tasks, you'll feel confident doing so.
- Breathe. You aren't performing heart surgery (unless you are, and if you are, it might be okay to be a bit extra). No one will die if the reporting process isn't quite up to your standards. If someone you have delegated to lets something slip, take it as an opportunity to retrain them without judgment or accept that not everything is within your control. Namaste!
Program proficiencies
The advantage of not being proficient in certain areas, especially when it comes to programs or best practices, is that learning to improve has never been easier. You can easily take advantage of training programs through companies like Semrush and BrightEdge for SEO, marketing from Hubspot and just about anything else by experts from LinkedIn Learning, Coursera and Skillsoft.
Beyond those options, you can learn through self-exploration! For example, if you are weak in generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), learning to use it is as simple as going online and researching how to improve through practice.
Whatever path you choose, tell your interviewer how you plan to address this weakness and assure them it’s a priority.
Lack of experience
Many ask, "How can I get experience if I don't have experience?" The answer? You have to sell yourself, and you have a lot to offer!
- Ready to learn – Talk about how you're willing to learn and cite examples of when you've done so in other situations (everyone says they're willing to do the work, but few are actually willing to do it).
- Moldable/Open mind – You are an opportunity for the person who can see your potential. Make it clear that you are open to their processes and would be happy to be there and become someone they need.
- Transferable skills – While you may not have the exact menu of skills a recruiter seeks, you can leverage your past track record of other excellence that can translate to this new role.
Our best advice
No matter the weakness you claim to have in a job interview, make sure to position yourself as actively working toward a solution. Employers want to see some humility and recognize that you can self-assess, but they also want to hire someone who has a strong desire to improve themselves and make a positive impact in their workplace.
Whatever you do, don't say your weakness is a strength. This will make you sound a bit conceited. Instead, focus on what you're passionate about. If you can't adequately minimize your weak points, lean into your strengths! They will definitely want to hear about those.
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You can work toward being a stronger candidate every day. If you make answering the classic interview question, "What is your greatest weakness?" difficult, talent acquisition professionals will be beyond excited to hire you.
Ready to test yourself? Apply for an open role.
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