MOMENTS IN A CAREER: GETTING TO “YOU’RE HIRED”
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
I was recently invited to interview for a position at a big, Silicon Valley tech firm.
Though I wasn’t looking for an in-house role at the time, I did quite a bit of preparation. I believe in putting my best foot forward. And this innovative, game-changing company might represent an unexpected opportunity in my career, I thought.
Looking back, I cannot believe how awful my answer was to the question: What are your weaknesses? I was asked about my strengths obliquely. My answer was okay, though not brilliant. Weaknesses was a direct question. I was all over the place and murky.
I did not provide a crisp, thoughtful answer and in retrospect I believe that may have been the “thank you, we’ll be in touch” moment in the process.
Strengths and weaknesses are critical for interviews. So be prepared. Have two or three succinct ones ready. Be able to illustrate one or two of your strengths with examples of how you used them well.
The same goes for weaknesses. And I believe one weakness is enough to talk about. It’s an interview not a therapy session. I like what career coach Jeff Altman says: When you hear strengths. Get ready to be asked about your weaknesses.
S & W are also a good thing to have in your back pocket as you think about your career progression. What are my strengths? Which ones do I want to take forward with me? What position would allow me to use most of my strengths? (The more of your strengths you utilize in a job the more you will enjoy your work, according to psychologists and workplace experts).
Don’t play to your weaknesses. Recognize them, understand when they are a liability to the task at hand or to your role and then get appropriate help. Perhaps you can bring in another team member to help. Or, you can plan to spend extra time on the task.
Let’s say, you have a presentation to make that spans finances and popular culture. You’re strong on the former and weak on the latter. You know your negative amortization formulas cold, but think Fear of God refers to the lessons you were taught in Sunday school.
Don’t try to wing the pop culture portion by referring to Kim Kardashian as KK. That’s not going to be enough because you may be asked to go deeper. Dazzle your audience with your financial knowledge. Lead with your strengths. That’s where you’ll be most comfortable and deliver your highest value to employers.
#GetHired #mentalhealth #blackcreatives #fashionindustry
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a career and leadership coach who worked as a recruiter for more than 40 years. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with more than 2300 episodes. He also hosts Job Search TV on YouTube, Amazon and Roku, as well as on BingeNetworks.tv for Apple TV and 90+ smart sets.
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