Job interviews are some of the most difficult trials we go through in our professional lives, for many reasons. First of all, they can prove crucial in terms of our future career, setting the whole subsequent path we will follow. Secondly, tension and emotions can reach paroxysmal heights, working against us and the goal we want to achieve. Last but not least, chance and unpredictability play an important role, as we never know exactly what is waiting for us, what the man in the other seat will be like, what questions he will ask, etc.

Under these conditions, the worst and most frustrating thing that can happen to us is to become self-sabotaging, more precisely to end up in a situation where we put ourselves in the way. Such an "opportunity" can arise when it comes to the delicate subject of flaws in the job interview. When we are asked this question, it is easy to understand that we cannot respond by denying the obvious, because nobody is perfect. But what to do? Brightway® experts show you two strategies you can use, depending on the context and the inspiration of the moment:

Interview flaws - strategy #1. Presenting flaws that could sometimes be considered qualities. Before explaining what we mean, it is absolutely essential to be honest with yourself and with the potential employer when it comes to your flaws. In this chapter, it could be your exacerbated punctuality or organization down to the smallest detail. Theoretically, they "sound good" and might even be required by the job description, but, like anything taken to extremes, there's a chance they could be damaging. Thus, an employee who is too punctual could be seen as inflexible or rude, and therefore not very collegial, while one who is too thoughtful could be accused of lacking adaptability or proactivity. Of course, as long as you try to temper these flaws, they can turn into qualities that are in high demand and useful.

Interview flaws - strategy #2. Exemplify some flaws that are less relevant to the job. Another tactic you can try is to show flaws that are not necessarily relevant to the job or company you are looking to serve. For example, you can talk about your stubbornness, shyness or sensitivity, especially if the job description does not show any inconsistencies with these traits (for example, a manager should not be shy, a doctor or an air traffic controller should not be too sensitive, etc.). You can also present those shortcomings as reversible, in the sense that you make efforts to turn them to your advantage.

Last but not least, it should be pointed out that there are certain shortcomings that should not be pointed out in a job interview. These include poor organisation, lack of punctuality, disobedience to superiors, etc. If you know you have such tendencies, you can follow some of our courses to correct them. Good luck!