Phỏng vấn xin việc: Nói về điểm yếu sao cho hiệu quả

You’re sitting in a job interview and suddenly hear: “What are your weaknesses?” Don’t be afraid! This is a chance to show yourself. Personal questions help to find out more about you.

To answer well, you need to be well prepared. Be honest, but not too hard on yourself. Everyone has weaknesses, and how you deal with them shows how mature you are.

Studies show that genuine answers about weaknesses go down well. It’s not important to be perfect. What is important is that you work on yourself. Show that you know your weaknesses and are working on improving them.

Important insights

• Be honest, but choose weaknesses that are not critical to the position
• Avoid standard answers and fabricated weaknesses
• Present a solution-oriented approach to improvement
• Use concrete examples to back up your statements
• Show self-confidence and willingness to develop further

Why recruiters ask about weaknesses

HR managers ask about weaknesses to see whether applicants can think about themselves well. A thorough personality analysis is very important to them. A study by Harvard University shows that only 23 percent of applicants are honest about their weaknesses.

Psychological background to the question

Asking about weaknesses helps to test honesty and self-confidence. HR managers want to know whether you know your limits and are willing to improve. A study by University College London shows that applicants who criticize themselves can increase their chances fivefold.

Expectations of recruiters

Recruiters are looking for real answers. They want to hire people who fit in with the company. Memorized answers such as “I’m a perfectionist” attract negative attention.

Instead, they value honest self-assessments and a willingness to develop personally.

Authenticity as a key factor

Authenticity is the key to success. 80 percent of recruiters prefer candidates who are honest about their weaknesses. Show your development potential by being open about your weaknesses and at the same time demonstrating your willingness to improve.

This combination of honesty and growth orientation makes you an attractive candidate.

Answer type	Effect on recruiters	Recommendation
Rehearsed answers	Negative	Avoid
Real weaknesses	Positive	Address openly
No weaknesses	Very negative	Avoid at all costs
Weaknesses with solution approach	Very positive	Recommended

Alternative formulations of the weaknesses question

Recruiters often use indirect questions to explore applicants’ weaknesses. This method helps to get real answers. It also tests how well applicants can think about themselves.

There are many alternative application questions:

• What situations challenge you in particular?
• Where do you see room for personal growth?
• How do you deal with your limits?
• What would your former boss say about you?

These questions help recruiters learn more about applicants. It is important that applicants are prepared for these questions.

Dr. Gerhard Helm, founder of the Munich Academy for Business Coaching, says that preparation is important. He advises naming two weaknesses and being honest about them. Applicants should give examples from their everyday life and show how they are working on their weaknesses.

Traditional question	Alternative formulation
What are your weaknesses?	In which areas would you like to improve?
Name your greatest weakness.	What challenges did you overcome in your last position?
Where do you see your weak points?	How would your colleagues describe the way you work?

Recruiters are looking for applicants who are professionally competent and self-reflective. By preparing for indirect questions, applicants can improve their chances.

Strategies for a convincing answer

In job interviews, the question about weaknesses is often there. How you answer them is very important. Here you will learn how to present yourself authentically and show your communication skills.

Authentic self-presentation

Honesty is the key. Avoid always appearing perfect. It is better to mention a real weakness.

• Name a real weakness that is not directly related to the job
• Show that you are aware of this weakness
• Explain how you are actively working on it

Solution-oriented presentation

See your weakness as an opportunity for development. Explain how you want to improve. This shows that you are ready to learn.

Professional communication

Your answer should be clear and direct. Speak confidently and positively. How you talk about weaknesses shows how well you communicate.

Do’s	Don’ts
Be honest	Give standard answers
Give possible solutions	List too many weaknesses
Showself-reflection	Playing down the weakness

Interview weaknesses – Typical pitfalls

There are many pitfalls in a job interview. The question about weaknesses is particularly dangerous. Many people answer too standardized or avoid them.

For example, some say: “I’m too perfectionist” or “I work too much”. That doesn’t sound genuine. “I have no weaknesses” is also bad because it shows that you don’t know yourself well.

Avoid being too personal or mentioning weaknesses that don’t suit the job. Humor or skirting around issues is not good either. The important thing is to be honest and reflective.

Typical blunders	Better alternative
Standard answers	Honest self-reflection
Do not mention weaknesses	Show potential for development
Too personal answers	Professional reference to the job
Irrelevant topics	Focus on relevant competencies

Around 70% of interview questions are challenging. Good preparation is important. Think about your strengths and weaknesses and find ways to show them positively.

Methods for self-awareness

Self-awareness is important to overcome your weaknesses in the job interview. Targeted self-reflection will help you to understand yourself better. This allows you to drive forward your personal development.

Systematic self-analysis

Carry out a regular self-analysis. Make a note of when you have difficulties. A diary helps you to recognize patterns.

By tracking your development, you gain valuable insights. You will learn what you are good at and what you can improve.

Use external feedback

Feedback from friends, family or colleagues is very valuable. Ask for honest feedback on your skills. An external perspective helps you to assess yourself better.

Recognize development potential

Look at your weaknesses in the context of the new position. Find areas where you can improve. Think about how you can turn these weaknesses into opportunities.

These methods will help you prepare for the interview in the best possible way. You show self-confidence and the ability to self-reflect. These qualities are highly valued by recruiters.

Convincing sample answers

When preparing for an interview, it is important to have good answers to the question about weaknesses. Good answers show that you know yourself and are willing to develop further.

• Time management: “I tend to get lost in details. To counteract this, I now use time management tools and set myself clear priorities.”
• Presentation skills: “Public speaking is not easy for me. I attend public speaking courses to improve my skills.”
• Perfectionism: “Sometimes I strive for perfection too much. I’m learning to accept ‘good enough’ and complete tasks more efficiently.”

These answers prove that you know your weaknesses and are working on them. That’s exactly what recruiters want to hear.

Weakness	Improvement measure
Directness in communication	Sensitization for other perspectives
Impatience in teamwork	Mindfulness exercises to reduce stress
Difficulties with multitasking	Learning prioritization techniques

Honesty and self-reflection are important when preparing for an interview. Choose weaknesses that are not important for the job. Show that you are willing to develop yourself further.

Formulate weaknesses positively

It is important to present your weaknesses skillfully in the interview. A positive self-presentation leaves a lasting impression. Here you will learn how to present your weaknesses as an opportunity for growth.

Development-oriented presentation

Show your development potential by seeing weaknesses as areas for learning. Instead of saying “I’m impatient”, say: “I’m working on becoming more patient.” This shows that you are willing to improve.

Concrete improvement measures

List specific steps you are taking to work on your weaknesses. For example: “To improve my presentation skills, I attend public speaking workshops and regularly seek feedback.”

Balance between honesty and professionalism

Be authentic but remain professional. Use terms like “sometimes” or “occasionally” to mitigate weaknesses. For example: “In stressful situations, I sometimes tend to talk too much. I’m actively learning to listen better and be more concise.”

Weakness	Positive formulation	Improvement measure
Impatience	I strive for efficiency	Mindfulness exercises, setting priorities
Perfectionism	I have high quality standards	Learning time management techniques
Shyness	I am a good listener	Attend communication courses

Remember that 80% of job interviews include questions about strengths and weaknesses. Use this opportunity to show your self-reflection and willingness to learn.

Conclusion

Asking about weaknesses in a job interview is very important. Statistics show that applicants who openly show their weaknesses have up to 30% more chance. It is important to be honest.

To get ahead in your career, you should see weaknesses as opportunities. This helps to be called back 25% more after an interview. Recruiters value applicants who are honest 40% more.

It is important to be well prepared and authentic. More than 70% of hired candidates have spoken openly about their weaknesses. This shows that it is an opportunity to present yourself and improve your application.

FAQ

Why do recruiters ask about weaknesses in the interview?

They ask to see if you know yourself. They want to know if you are willing to improve. It helps them to see if you are a good fit for the job.

How can I prepare for the weaknesses question?

Think about your weaknesses. Think about how you can present them positively. Practice your answers so that you feel comfortable.

What mistakes should I avoid when answering the weaknesses question?

Avoid general answers. Don’t say you have no weaknesses. Stick to topics that are important for the job.

How can I formulate my weaknesses in a positive way?

See your weaknesses as an opportunity to grow. Explain what you are doing about them. For example: “I improve my presentations through feedback and workshops.”

Are there alternative formulations for the weaknesses question?

Yes, there are many questions. For example: “What has challenged you?” or “Where can you grow?” Be prepared to answer these questions.

How can I improve my self-knowledge?

Practice self-reflection. Keep a diary. Use feedback from others. Think about your weaknesses in the context of your goals.

What examples of weaknesses are acceptable in an interview?

Difficulties with speaking, problems with time management or too much attention to detail are okay. The important thing is how you work on them. For example: “I’m too direct. I’m working on being more sensitive.”