14 July 2020

Professional strengths and weaknesses: how to deal with a job interview

hands gesture over documents on a wooden table, surrounded by a laptop computer and a cup of coffee.

Table of contents

Professional strengths and weaknesses are aspects that should be highlighted and recognised respectively in a job interview. These define us as professionals, They also allow tasks to be distributed at work in a way that is appropriate to one's own abilities, so it is important to be aware of them. 

What are professional strengths and weaknesses?

Professional strengths and weaknesses are referred to as professional strengths and weaknesses respectively. abilities or skills that affect an employee's way of working. In the case of strengths, these refer to the characteristics that enhance the employee's validity. In the case of weaknesses, these are those characteristics that detract from the employee's ability to work. 

Strengths that should be emphasised in a job interview

Because they are so important in most jobs, the following are some of the strengths that every worker should be building on if they want to be successful in a job interview and in their career in general. 

  • TeamworkMost jobs nowadays are to a greater or lesser extent carried out jointly with other professionals. This is why the ability to work in a team has become one of the strengths that must be mastered if you want to be successful in any job interview. 
  • PunctualityPunctuality: Although it does not require specific professional staffing, punctuality is an element that conveys predictability and therefore confidence. 
  • Training and specialisationToday, there is a demand for highly trained professionals and, above all, with a high degree of specialisation for the specific jobs they are going to occupy. For this reason, it is essential to have a CV and training that is adapted to what the job interview demands. 
  • Differentiation and added valueIn the same way that highly qualified and trained professionals are sought after, there is also a demand for professionals who offer something more. In other words, professionals who, in addition to meeting the necessary requirements, stand out from the rest of the candidates because of some quality or characteristic that makes them different and gives them greater capabilities than the rest. 
  • SincerityFinally, another factor to take into account in any job interview is honesty. As they say, the truth always comes out in the end and, although any candidate tries to show their best version in an interview, this is not the same as lying. For this reason, it is recommended to enhance one's own image, but always from the point of view of reality and sincerity towards the interviewer. 

Weaknesses to recognise in a job interview

Precisely on the subject of sincerity, it is also important to recognise some weaknesses in a job interview. You have to consider that a job interview is looking for a specific profile, and if you don't fit in, you won't fit in the subsequent job either. Therefore, it is best to be honest and avoid creating expectations that do not match reality

  • LanguagesLanguages are one of the areas where most people exaggerate their skills in job interviews. This is easy for the interviewer to spot, so it is best to be honest and acknowledge from the outset the real level of knowledge you have of any language you include on your CV. 
  • ExperienceExperience is another weakness of many candidates applying for a job vacancy. Exaggerating or overemphasising elements in this regard can create false expectations that will ultimately take their toll on the candidate. 
  • Technical expertiseAs with experience, expertise in specific areas requires prior training. If you don't have it, it is better to be honest and focus your speech on your willingness to learn new things. 
  • Resistance to changeOne of the most common weaknesses of many workers is a lack of flexibility or resistance to change. This point needs to be worked on, both for interviews that may take a different course than expected and for day-to-day development in any job. Change is a constant, and interviewers prefer people who are adaptable and resilient in the face of adversity. 
  • Too perfect a speechIt may seem contradictory, but interviewers are quick to recognise candidates who offer an overly standardised and unrealistic version of their professional profiles. Wanting to make a good impression is perfectly understandable, but masking your career path to fit the job is not. 

The importance of supporting employees

Beyond professional strengths and weaknesses, companies need to consider the importance of creating the right environment for your employees to grow and develop. In this way, they will be able to leverage their strengths and overcome their weaknesses, while increasing the amount and value of talent present in the company.

In this regard, one of the best ways to empowering employees' activity is through social benefits as Ticket Restaurant, Childcare Ticket o Transport Ticket, among others. The incorporation of social benefits into workers' remuneration contributes to their motivation and to improve their perception of the company and of their own place within the company. It is also an economical and cost-effective way to increase their remuneration without necessarily involving a large outlay of money on the part of the company. It is therefore the perfect solution for both companies and employees. 

Edenred Spain

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