Weakness for an answer in a job interview

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I'm looking for an answer for "give me some strengths and weaknesses about you" and I was wondering if I could my weight as a weakness because i've been struggling with my weight for the last 4 years (nursing school) and my thinking is that If I use my weight as a weakness that i'm overweight, when i'm teaching patients about how to change their diet and lifestyle, they'll look at me and think that I don't even listen to what I'm teaching. and that could be a hindrance when it comes to patient education. But I do go to the gym about 4x a week and run about 3 miles at the gym and bike as much as possible so endurance is not an issue. It's just the excess weight. Should I use that as a weakness? because I've read that we should be honest about our weaknesses. Thanks

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

I don't really see that being relevant, and maybe not the best answer. I don't know because that is more an interpersonal conflict you have.

a weakness is something like "you are a very passive person" or you "get too emotionally attached to patients"....i don't know, i made those up. But a weakness isn't necessarily a weight issue. I know many nurses that are over weight and are absolutely wonderful.

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Agree with pp, I wouldn't use something as personal as this (which they could hold against you). It used to be advised to list as "weakness" a hidden strength ("I tend to work too hard", "I set high standards for myself and can get frustrated"), but I think employers nowadays are on to this and don't appreciate it. They want a "real" weakness, just not too much of one, KWIM?

Actually, it's not that easy... I guess something like "I tend to be a perfectionist" would do, but I wonder what others think (I'm in the job market myself!)

DeLana

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i wouldn't use that as a weakness. i've struggled with weight my whole life - fluctuating in between being extremely fit and going to the gym every day to being so overweight i wouldn't swim all summer bc i was embarrassed. while i understand exactly what you mean - it's not a topic i would want to open up during an interview.

i think a weakness that's more appropriate is something like, "i don't have a lot of experience working with patients" or something less personal. besides, there are LOTS of overweight nurses so i don't think the person interviewing you is going to be thinking "oh, she shouldn't be doing this job" and expect you to bring it up. i'm sure it puts the interviewer in an awkward position also and that's not something you want to do.

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I would go out and get a book from the library that talks about these issues. I recently read a book about the tips that nurse recruiters and HRs use to get you to disclose possible flaws in your character or things that make you look like an unfavorable candidate. The best advice I can give is always start a sentence with something positive....always talk about yourself in a positive light. Give examples where you "shined". The book I just finished also said definitley DO NOT take bait and answer in a negative way. They are not allowed to ask you about marital status, family status, etc. Do not reveal things that you feel they should know anyway such as problems with your back, that you have children with disabilities and need insurance, etc. This is illegal for them to ask about and it is for a reason. Protect yourself first and foremost. HR and recruiters have an allegience to their company, not to you as an employee. They can't recommend someone for hire that puts forth an un-sure attitude. Although everyone struggles with their own issues, whether it be money, body image, or confidance, the purpose of an interview is to personality type you. They don't necessarily want you to trick you, but they don't want to employ someone who is a "risk". We like to think that all of us are in this struggle together, but in the end of the day, companies make a big investment when they hire and the job of these people it to scope out people that are going to be able to put in 110%.

Be prepared if you say "well I'm a perfectionist" for the interviewer to say "well that really isn't a flaw, what is a real flaw?"

Best advice is give real answers but in a positive way. Good luck! I hope you find the job you are looking for :)

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Also be ready for the very popular behavioral interview. Look on the internet for behavioral interviewing tips.

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Specializes in Trauma/Critical Care.
I'm looking for an answer for "give me some strengths and weaknesses about you" and I was wondering if I could my weight as a weakness because i've been struggling with my weight for the last 4 years (nursing school) and my thinking is that If I use my weight as a weakness that i'm overweight, when i'm teaching patients about how to change their diet and lifestyle, they'll look at me and think that I don't even listen to what I'm teaching. and that could be a hindrance when it comes to patient education. But I do go to the gym about 4x a week and run about 3 miles at the gym and bike as much as possible so endurance is not an issue. It's just the excess weight. Should I use that as a weakness? because I've read that we should be honest about our weaknesses. Thanks

That would be TMI (too much infor). When inquiring about "weakness and strenght", employers are looking for problem solving skills related to your practice. As someone else mentioned before, you will be on safe grounds if you turn a weakness into a strenght, such as :" I have to work on having more patience and giving myself a break, because I always want everything done at once" or " I'm too focused on work and need to develop some after-hours hobbies".

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Try to flip the question into a positive, and be prepared to explain what steps you have done to improve. I had this question, and I answered that I am not completely competent with X skill bc I only had X amount of trys in school/clinic. Then I explained what I did to improve that skill, looked for new opportunities to perform sed skill ect.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

So if they tell you to name a weakness say "shoes" or "chocolate" that way you can break the ice ;) granted it only works if you can get a good feel on people. I make a few jokes because it's how I am and I can get a good feel on people so I know when it's ok and will work and when it won't. But as far as an actual weakness you have to be very carefull. This is nursing so you can't say, "I only like working with whole numbers so I round up a lot" or "I prefer to work alone" you have to spin a positive on your weekness. For example, one for me "I need to gain more confidence in myself in that I know what I am doing, I have been really working on that the past year of school and have come a long way." or something like " I struggled with time management early on but I have been really working on that and have come up with some good systems that work for me"

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Wow!! Great answers from all of you guys. Thanks. I kinda had a feeling that it was too personal and stuff but I just had really hard time thinking of an answer for a weakness. I know the regular answers like "I over-achieve" and "i'm a perfectionist" but I wanted to go out of the box and look for something that made me particular, but seems like i have to think more..hahaha..i'm just a little wary of using "over-achiever and perfectionist" because it seems like that's everyone's answer and the interviewer will hear the same answer from different people. If nothing comes up, then perfectionist it is. haha.

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I've said before that my weakness is being intimitated when talking to doctors or managers. I also will say that I've been working on this with a nursing mentor who has guided me in ways to be efficent as well as being a patient advocate. For example, I have ALL the information needed before I call a physican (vitals, orders, DX, meds..). Then I'll say the results of my efforts: I'm less nervous when talking to physicans now and have even been able to lay down a professional relationship by being prepared and professional.

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Wow!! Great answers from all of you guys. Thanks. I kinda had a feeling that it was too personal and stuff but I just had really hard time thinking of an answer for a weakness. I know the regular answers like "I over-achieve" and "i'm a perfectionist" but I wanted to go out of the box and look for something that made me particular, but seems like i have to think more..hahaha..i'm just a little wary of using "over-achiever and perfectionist" because it seems like that's everyone's answer and the interviewer will hear the same answer from different people. If nothing comes up, then perfectionist it is. haha.

I do not recommend the trite and over-used "perfectionist". A lot of nurses are Type-A personalities that like things a certain way. They hear this answer a lot. I would not use that one. They will tell you "that isn't really a weakness". Be prepared for more than one, also. They may say "tell me 3 of your weaknesses and how you overcame them". Always be prepared to give examples. And be concise and to the point.

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