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You never know what to say to the famous “worst fault” question? An expert reveals some key tips.
Any job interview generates a fair amount of stress. In this case, how can we best respond to the recruiter’s surprise and destabilizing questions? Alexandra Ridoux, career change coach, reveals some of her key tips in Cosmopolitan magazine.
Avoid the boat answer at all costs
It’s a question we all fear. “What is your worst fault?” comes up very (too) often in interviews.
A question considered trap, even eliminatory, by many of us.
The ready-made answer is to reveal to the recruiter a false flaw, such as the eternal “perfectionist”. Big mistake, according to the coach.
“It’s not prohibitive, but it’s a blunt answer that rings false. Prepare for the recruiter to challenge you again“, she explains.
In this situation, it is better to be a little honest with the recruiter: the latter knows full well that every candidate has faults and giving them an answer that is too classic would be of no use – or even risk annoying them.
Alexandra Ridoux recommends instead to “read the job description carefully”, in order to to identify the required skill that one does not master. This should ideally be technical rather than personal.
“If you lack a technical skill that is required in the position, it is better to be honest and say “I don’t master this software but I learn quickly and I have used similar ones before”. The advantages of technical defects are that it is easy to improve your skills on them.she assures.
Another piece of advice from the expert: focus on a strategic defect – which will not have an impact on the smooth running of the company or the good atmosphere at work.
“For example, saying that you are not comfortable speaking if you are applying as a salesperson may pose a problem.“, explains Alexandra Ridoux.
If the fact of having defects is obviously not eliminatory; not trying to improve, to compensate for them, can be.
“The real question employers ask is not what your weaknesses are, but what your solution is to compensate for them“, explains the expert.
The right attitude here? Find and provide solutions to this “less” skill. Show that “you are fully aware of this weakness, and you are working on it“, she explains.
Slide: 10 things not to do during a job interview