Out of all of the hardest interviewing queries that interviewers inquire, I find the hardest one that students dread the most is, “Please explain your strengths and weaknesses”.

When discussing “strengths” students mostly feel uncomfortable since they aren’t sure what the employer is searching for in an answer. Additionally, students often feel like they are bragging about their skills and achievements when they discuss their strengths in a cover letter or interview situation.

Comprehending where the employer is coming from will make this question simpler to answer.

First of all, it is most likely that the employer is interviewing more than one candidate. In that case, answers given to these questions will be evaluated and compared to those of other applicants.

Tips when answering hardest interviewing queries in an interview:

1. Ignore the use of vague, negative, or unimaginative answers. Using vague words like probably, maybe, usually, etc., are not productive in an interview.
2. Be particular and give instances, whenever possible. Provide specific instances of previous coursework or work experiences that elaborate relevant skills deployed on the internship/ job qualifications or description.
3. Assess your strengths by recognizing your skills. Skills can be based on three areas: knowledge-based, transferable, and personal characteristics or traits. Knowledge-based skills involve previous coursework or work experience that needs a certain level of expertise. These are skills deployed on learning, like: language, computer, laboratory, technical, etc. Transferable skills are those that are useful in several work environments, like: communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, etc. Personal characteristics or traits involve personal values and work ethic. Individuals who work hard and complete their work based on their personal value system, develop a powerful work ethic that is acknowledged by most employers.

The “weaknesses” query is surely the more difficult of the two queries to answer. The significant thing to keep in mind is that the interviewer is searching for relevant information on which to base a hiring decision. Consequently, it is primary to find a way to turn the “weaknesses” question into a positive by first identifying the weakness and then illustrating specific strategies you have used to turn the weakness around.

Offering examples of ways you’ve worked to overcome your weaknesses in the past provides interviewers with a sense of confidence that you’ll find solutions to the challenges and issues you encounter in a future internship or job.

However the answer you give to any one hardest interviewing queries into an interview will commonly not be the deciding factor between getting employed or not (unless you make a huge blunder), maintaining a positive and can-do attitude will give the employer with a positive impression of your skills and accomplishments and a sense of confidence in your ability to do a good job.