By Chron Contributor Updated April 23, 2021
As part of the vetting process, you can expect that a prospective employer will ask about your many personal and professional accomplishments during a job interview. In addition, you also need to be prepared to explain some of the more negative aspects of your background and personality. While this can seem like a daunting task at first, it also provides the opportunity to present yourself in a favorable light. You should first identify negatives that are positives before your interview.
Previous Employment Difficulties
You may be asked about the things you liked least during previous work experiences or about problems you faced on the job. Rather than complaining about a bad boss or intolerable working conditions, mention any efforts you made to overcome the obstacles. This demonstrates your ability to persevere when the going gets tough. Explain what you've learned from your previous experiences that can help you prevent similar situations going forward. Indicate that while there were some difficulties, the overall experience proved to be beneficial.
Lack of Experience
You might not have the experience the employer is looking for to fill the position. Start your explanation with, "I could use more experience in..." and then you can turn this into a positive by elaborating on times where you were in similar situations but were able to adapt quickly and successfully. Portray yourself as someone who enjoys the challenge of learning something new and who can make a contribution with only a short learning curve. Point out that your lack of experience allows you to bring a fresh, unbiased perspective to the job.
Biggest Weaknesses
The interviewer may ask you about your biggest weaknesses. As with explaining how you dealt with negative aspects of a job or work experience, this question provides the opportunity to show your desire and ability to overcome difficulties, according to Career Intelligence. For example, if you had a fear of public speaking, explain how you took speech classes or practiced speaking in front of small groups to boost your confidence. If you sometimes get frustrated at others' lack of attention to detail, indicate the importance of setting and adhering to lofty standards.
Past Failures
Everyone fails at some point in their lives, and a job interviewer may ask you to elaborate on a time where you fell short. Use this as an opportunity to show the lessons you learned from the experience, advises The Nest. For example, if you didn't perform well in previous career endeavors because they weren't the right "fit," explain how, through your failures, you have been able to identify your current career path. This can also help you clarify why you are applying for the position for which you are currently interviewing.
