Job Interview: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Nurses Job Hunt Nursing Q/A

Discussing your strengths and weaknesses can be nerve wracking. How do you go about it? What's your biggest weakness?

How do you answer this question? What are some examples of strengths in nursing and weaknesses that have a positive spin?

I find it interesting all the comments from actual HR people meanwhile when you read everything about interviewing it says not to give anything negative about yourself. So confusing! The last couple of interviews I went on I felt that alot of the questions focused on negative things and how I handled them. How about asking what was the greatest memory you have as a nurse!!! Also, do these recruiters who are interviewing you have a healthcare background? When I answer some of the questions in detail it seems they have no clue what I really mean. And I found the more interviews I went on, they all started asking the same questions.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The BEST answer is one based on the truth ... expressed in terms that show that you are aware of your limitations, but are successfully working to improve that area so that it won't be a weakness on the job.

Experienced interviewers who use that question are experts at recognizing "bs" and will penalize you heavily for trying to fool them with a fake answer.

So ... to figure out YOUR best answer to those questions ... start my making lists of your REAL strengths and weaknesses. Then think about how to discuss those weaknesses in ways that show you are improving in that area and are conquering it. When discussing your strengths, include how that strength will help them meet the goals for the unit/institution you are hoping to work for.

Asking about weakness is typically asked to assess how well you self reflect and work on personal growth. They don't expect you to be perfect at everything. Sometimes it helps to frame it as something you are working on...e.g sometimes I struggle with time management, but I developed a personalized brain to help me stay organized and have gotten positive feedback from my last supervisor. Or that you still get anxious relaying concerns to the provider but have found it helpful to use SBAR. More personalized responses are better than something generic like being "overly detail oriented."

With questions addressing your strengths, it can never hurt to give an anecdote about being conscientious or being a good team player. If you can figure out what the mission statement/philosophy of the place you are interviewing at, it's even better to tailor your answer to that. Focusing on evidence based practice is typically good for a teaching hospital, whereas smaller, faith based organizations might appreciate hearing more about how you connect with your patient. I've used these guidelines the past few interviews and it's served me pretty well.

Interviews are stressful but get better with practice. Don't forget that interviews are a two way street, it's okay to ask questions and determine if it's a good fit for you. Hope this is helpful, best of luck!

Specializes in LTC.

I'm trying to prepare for a potential interview myself! I recently had my performance review with my manager. One of the things on it was whether or not I could manage my time. She just mentioned that I am a novice nurse and that I need to allow myself to gain confidence...something like that! I'm thinking of mentioning that I tend to work slower when I have to deal with, for example, a skill that I haven't done in a while because I don't want to make any errors. Another thing that I wanted to say also maybe is that I'm too hard on myself and that I am possibly expecting too much of myself in my first year of nursing... Like on my very first day on my own in the morning, i was expecting that I would be on time for all my meds but I was late....... I wanted to mention all this for my weaknesses potentially but I don't know...?

Specializes in ER.

In general, I say something along the lines of I should probably ask for help sooner. Such as the one day the charge RN asked why are we giving levophed in the (section of the ER) instead of up in (critical care section)? I should have bumped the patient up to the (critical care section). I find it better if you can provide examples to back up what you say.

Good Morning,

I am a new RN, and I really don't have any experience, I am currently applying for jobs, but everything requires experience. My questions are how to answer

What motivates you in a professional setting?

What are the top 3 values you look for in an employer?

Can someone help with some answers to these questions?

Thank you so much.

Deborrah

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I would never go the "perfectionist" or "I care too much" route, because I am neither. Weakness plus what you did about it is good "spin."

Klone, those are good examples. Thanks.

What are good weaknesses for a relatively new nurse? Time management and prioritization?

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Those are good, as are delegation. Are they true weaknesses, though, or are you just looking for any old answer?

I have never had a professional interview, I have been a 23 year career nanny and get jobs online and meet with families at their home. All this interview stuff is new to me.

Those dreaded questions.... My strengths I'm not concerned about it's my weakness. I'm very detailed, organized, and a planner. Which for some these would be seen as a strength and people love someone like that. There are some people who don't like it and it makes them feel like I'm taking over which I'm not, I just have a certain way I do things. At the end of the day if there is still a load of laundry to be folded and we ran out of time because we spent too much time at the park, I struggle with that's it's OK that it did not get done, it will be there tomorrow, it's more important that the client is enjoying what we are doing. My first priority is always the client, but I always want to make sure what gets done for the day gets done. It's not that I can't manage time because I can, but as you know with kids or seniors sometimes a day you had planned can change at any moment. My other weakness is I'm very socially shy at first, but once I warm up, watch out, I become a chatty cathy. Because I'm shy, I have that face that when I don't smile I look mean and unapproachable which I'm the opposite. I'm also very blunt and to the point, I tell it like it is. I'm not going to lie to make things seem better than they are. I'm really stressing about going to interviews....

klone said:
Answer honestly, and tell them what you've done to help overcome the weakness.

Wish I had read this advice before my own interview. I was honest but I failed to follow up with what I'd done to help overcome the weakness. I've been wondering if that was why I never got a reply to my follow up e-mail....

Wow. You sound just like me, both strengths and weaknesses. :D Update: I actually got offered a job from that interview. LOL. Maybe my honesty wasn't such a huge mistake after all.

Congrats! :x3:

+ Add a Comment