8 flaws to talk about in the interview and get the job!

Thinking about flaws to talk about in a job interview can be very difficult, after all, who knows all their flaws, or qualities, off by heart?

Many people find it difficult to answer some questions in job interviews, which in themselves are already very intimidating.

And it ends up becoming even more complex and intimidating when we are surprised with certain questions, for example, “From your point of view, what are your biggest defects and qualities?”

What is self-knowledge?

Understanding and acknowledging your flaws is an essential part of the process of self-discovery. It involves honestly identifying areas where you may have limitations, challenges, or weaknesses.

Starting to develop self-knowledge is the first step towards being able to develop yourself in your professional and personal spheres, seeking to develop your skills and improve your behavior.

In the workplace, self-awareness is crucial. Knowing what your weaknesses are allows you to take steps to improve them, becoming a more effective and valuable professional to the team and the organization.

Before the interview, you can do some self-analysis to identify your weaknesses and reflect on how they might affect your ability to perform the role.

When doing this, take into account the activities and skills proposed in the scope of the vacancy. With this in mind, you will have an easier time prepare for the interview and answer the question about your weaknesses in a constructive way.

Why is this question asked?

Recruiters often ask about your weaknesses to assess your self-awareness, authenticity, and willingness to improve.

By answering questions honestly about your weaknesses, you demonstrate authenticity in the interview. Recruiters value genuine candidates who don’t try to hide their flaws.

Furthermore, by answering truthfully, the recruiter can identify whether or not you are willing to change and work on these weaknesses.

They can also assess whether you fit into the company culture and whether you are willing to adapt and improve based on the organization's values and expectations.

If you give generic answers, the recruiter may find you inauthentic or lose you in the crowd of other candidates who gave the same answer.

Your answer will have less impact and relevance than the others, causing recruiters to opt for other professionals.

It is advisable to provide concrete examples of situations in which you faced challenges related to the weaknesses mentioned and how you dealt with them.

This makes your answer more relevant, compelling, and memorable to interviewers. Plus, it demonstrates your ability to learn and grow, which is highly valued by employers.

The 8 flaws to talk about in the interview

And if you have any doubts about what can be mentioned as a defect during the interview, we have some suggestions that may be useful for you!

1 – Perfectionism

One of the flaws that people mention most is perfectionism, but it doesn't necessarily need to be said with that title.

You might mention that you are very demanding with your own work, which leads you to spend more time on tasks, aiming to achieve the best possible result.

It is also interesting to provide a solution to this problem, say that you are working to balance the search for the best result with deadlines.

2 – Shyness

Sometimes, being a very shy person can harm the way a professional communicates with colleagues, clients and the team.

This will not end the career someone, but depending on your position it could harm your performance.

You can say as a solution that you are enrolled in courses with the aim of improving your public speaking, or that you are challenging yourself more in this area.

3 – Anxiety

Anxiety can affect productivity and well-being at work, and today a large proportion of people have this type of disorder.

If you already have a diagnosis and are undergoing therapy, you can mention this in the interview and that you have techniques for working through anxiety attacks and spikes.

4 – Wanting to please everyone

If you have a tendency to be a people pleaser, this can lead to overwhelm, and it's something companies need to be aware of before hiring.

However, mention that you are working on setting priorities and communicating effectively to ensure your actions are aligned with company goals.

Learning to say “no” when necessary is also important to balance demands and companies look for someone who knows this.

5 – Lack of focus

One of the flaws to talk about in the interview is the lack of focus, which many people suffer from. 

But as a complement, you can say that because of this you learned to use organization, time management and list applications, with the aim of improving productivity and concentration.

6 – Impatience

You may admit that in some situations impatience can be a challenge, but you are working hard to develop your patience and stress management skills.

7 – Difficulty with deadlines

Whether due to perfectionism or impatience, the individual may have difficulty meeting deadlines.

Additionally, it is possible to mention that you are learning to plan better so that projects are delivered without delays.

8 – Bad memory

Some people have a weaker memory, and it is a defect that is worth responding to as well.

As a way of resolving this, the professional will be able to identify the tools and strategies used to compensate for the weak point.

Which defect to choose?

Now that you know 8 flaws to talk about in an interview, you also need to keep in mind that you shouldn't talk about whatever is most interesting, especially because recruiters are trained to identify signs and behaviors.

Instead, you should select weaknesses that are relevant to the position, accompanied by actions that demonstrate your commitment to improving.

And of course, they must be in line with your own personality and the way you act in the work environment.

With these tips, you will have in mind what your flaws are to talk about in the interview, bringing solutions that can be worked on.