Not everyone requires you to be included on your resume. weak sides. But if there is such a clause on the form, then putting a dash through would be a mistake. Better look at an example of character weaknesses in your resume.
Before filling out the box in which you need to indicate your shortcomings, think about your answer. Do not miss it under any circumstances, because ideal people do not exist. As a rule, managers want to see how adequately you evaluate yourself. If you don't know what to write, look at the suggested options and choose something that suits you best.
A universal formula: select character traits that are an advantage for performing this particular job, but in ordinary life can really be considered a human flaw.
The following weaknesses can be written:
- excessive directness, the habit of telling the truth face to face;
- difficulty establishing contact with strangers;
- inability to show flexibility in labor matters;
- reliability;
- increased anxiety;
- excessive emotionality, hot temper;
- love of formalism;
- restlessness;
- slowness;
- hyperactivity;
- fear of air travel.
All of the weaknesses listed in your resume can become strengths if you look at them from a different angle. An example is restlessness. For a sales representative or active sales manager, this can even be a plus. The same goes for reliability. This is a signal to the manager that you may be the person who will do all the overtime work.
All applicants should think about how to write my weaknesses for a resume. For example, a future accountant or design engineer might write:
- distrust;
- excessive scrupulousness;
- increased anxiety;
- excessive demands on oneself;
- straightforwardness;
- pedantry;
- modesty;
- inability to lie;
- difficulties in establishing contact with strangers;
- self-esteem;
- lack of flexibility in labor matters;
- integrity;
- inflated sense of responsibility;
- lack of diplomacy.
- hyperactivity;
- self-confidence;
- restlessness;
- impulsiveness;
- the need for external motivation;
- distrust, desire to double-check and confirm all information.
Disadvantages for one profession can become advantages for another.
You can also indicate in your resume among your negative qualities:
- straightforwardness;
- workaholism;
- excessive love of communication.
Applicants for the position of manager must prepare before filling out this column. It is better to think in advance about what weaknesses to include in your resume. You can write to them about the following character traits:
- excessive emotionality;
- pedantry;
- love for little things;
- thoughts about work and planning occupy most of your free time;
- increased demands on others.
A good example would be the following:
- inability to respond to rudeness with rudeness;
- tendency to make decisions based on one’s own opinion;
- distrust of people and love of confirmation of facts.
Some applicants prefer to indicate that they:
- overly trusting;
- can raise their voice to subordinates;
- straightforward, express their opinions without veiled embellishments;
- hot-tempered;
- always looking for confirmation of words;
- have a hypertrophied sense of responsibility;
- prone to formalism and pay excessive attention to detail;
- irritated by clutter;
- slow;
- do not like to do something to please others.
Many people are afraid to write about shortcomings, believing that the employer will immediately send their resume to the trash bin. Of course, you shouldn’t be too frank, but you shouldn’t completely skip this section of the questionnaire. In this case, you can write about some neutral qualities that will not affect your work in any way. For a person applying for any vacancy, among the inherent weaknesses one can indicate:
- fear of airplanes;
- arachnophobia (fear of spiders), vespertiliophobia (fear of bats), ophidiophobia (fear of snakes);
- excess weight;
- lack of experience;
- age (suitable for people over 40 years old);
- love of shopping;
- love for sweets.
This information does not characterize you in any way, it simply speaks about your fears or small weaknesses.
The following disadvantages can be mentioned:
- I don’t always express my thoughts accurately;
- I trust people too much;
- prone to reflection;
- I often analyze past mistakes, focusing too much attention on them;
- I spend a lot of time evaluating my actions.
These are negative qualities, but they should not affect the work process.
Regardless of the position for which you are applying, you can write the following weaknesses in your resume:
- I get so carried away with work that I forget to take breaks;
- I can’t build relationships with colleagues because I don’t like gossip;
- I can’t fight back in response to boorish treatment;
- I constantly pass all situations through myself;
- I let people get too close;
- I don’t know how to swear;
- I get noticeably worried when I have to lie.
Please note that there are items that are best left unindicated. You should not write, for example, that you:
- love to be lazy;
- afraid to take responsibility;
- don't like making decisions;
- unpunctual;
- are often distracted;
- you only think about your salary;
- love office romances.
For example, if you write about your laziness in your resume, you run the risk that the employer will decide that you don’t want to work.
It is known that there are no phenomena or events that would have only positive or negative consequences, therefore each of the factors of the external or internal environment must have a comprehensive assessment of the mechanisms and results of the impact. In addition, it must be borne in mind that environmental analysis is carried out by certain persons who can evaluate events and phenomena differently and develop various approaches regarding the behavior of an enterprise in certain conditions. There is still a basic rule: you need to analyze the external and internal environments in their interrelation and dependence.
Strategic balance is a certain combination of negatively and positively influencing factors (threats and opportunities) affecting the activity of the enterprise, which objectively exist in the external environment of the enterprise and are subjectively changed by managers, with relatively strong and weak points in the functioning of the enterprise. In addition, the greatest threats arise when the negative development of the situation in the environment is superimposed on the weaknesses of the enterprise; opportunities are situations in external environment, a positive process or phenomenon in which an enterprise has the opportunity to demonstrate its strengths. It is necessary to identify threats in a timely manner in order to prevent a crisis of the enterprise, and knowledge about potential opportunities makes it possible to write in advance for their most effective use.
Drawing up a strategic balance in Western literature is called SWOT analysis.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE ENTERPRISE ARE USED IN SWOT ANALYSIS
Potential Internal Benefits
Potential Internal Weaknesses
competitive advantages (uniqueness)
the most important features in competence regarding certain activities
strong position in specific market segments, well-known leader
tough competitor in the market (use of aggressive initiative)
offensive strategy or other special strategy, justified "strategic set"
promoting growth in the number of target consumer groups or their loyalty
above average awareness of market conditions
knowledge of the most important strategic groups, possibilities of protection from competitors
concentration on fast-growing market segments
lack of real competitive
constant attacks from key competitors (competitive position worsens)
loss of competitive position as a result.
lower average growth rate
lack of some key skills to compete effectively
lack of financial resources, insufficient profitability
loss of reputation among consumers
“shepherding” in product development, narrow specialization or unjustified diversification
working in a strategic group losing its foundation, shortcomings in strategic activities
weakness in areas that have high market potential, insufficient attention to research and development
product differentiation, justified diversification
competition to reduce costs
higher average profitability and
sufficient financial resources
above average marketing skills
above average technological and innovative skills
creative, entrepreneurial management
well-researched market, needs
ability to realize the capabilities of competitive personnel skills
image of a reliable partner
lack of action to mitigate competitive pressures
weak distribution system
high-cost production, aging capacity
production sizes are too small to influence the market situation or too large - the “disease of large companies” begins
lack of real specific management skills, lack of talent
a "newbie" in business whose reputation has not yet been proven
poorly chosen and insufficiently justified strategic actions (including market relocation), lack of a clear understanding of the strategic directions of development
lack of a strong position to deal with threats
GENERAL EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS FOR THE ENTERPRISE USED IN SWOT ANALYSIS
To develop strategies, it is not enough to state the influence of certain environmental factors. To ensure the survival of the enterprise in the long-term trade union perspective, it is necessary to predict trends in the development of chances and thunderstorms. The fact that analysis and forecasting of trends should be carried out simultaneously is confirmed by the list of stages of conducting a SWOT analysis (Table 2.15).
The need to process large amounts of information predetermines the use of various statistical methods of data analysis: single and multifactorial, descriptive and inductive methods, methods of dependency analysis and methods of relationship analysis. In many enterprises, when applying SWOT analysis, regression, variation, discriminant, factor and cluster analysis are widely used. The use of a particular method depends on the level of scaling of dependent and independent variables, as well as the content of the phenomenon or problem that is the object of analysis. The quality of the analysis performed ensures the reliability of the forecasts constructed on its basis (see Section 2.7).
MAIN STAGES OF APPLYING SWOT ANALYSIS
Analysis of the current situation (diagnosis)
Future analysis (forecast)
1. Analysis of critical internal and external factors
2. Assessment of external factors (expertise)
5. Forecasting development trends for each (selected) external factor
3. Assessment of internal factors (expertise)
4. Who are we and what are our competitive advantages (disadvantages)?
Not everyone requires you to list your weaknesses on your resume. But if there is such a clause on the form, then putting a dash through would be a mistake. Better look at an example of character weaknesses in your resume.
Before filling out the box in which you need to indicate your shortcomings, think about your answer. Do not miss it under any circumstances, because ideal people do not exist. As a rule, managers want to see how adequately you evaluate yourself. If you don't know what to write, look at the suggested options and choose something that suits you best.
A universal formula: select character traits that are an advantage for performing this particular job, but in ordinary life can really be considered a human flaw.
The following weaknesses can be written:
- excessive directness, the habit of telling the truth face to face;
- difficulty establishing contact with strangers;
- inability to show flexibility in labor matters;
- reliability;
- increased anxiety;
- excessive emotionality, hot temper;
- love of formalism;
- restlessness;
- slowness;
- hyperactivity;
- fear of air travel.
All of the weaknesses listed in your resume can become strengths if you look at them from a different angle. An example is restlessness. For a sales representative or active sales manager, this can even be a plus. The same goes for reliability. This is a signal to the manager that you may be the person who will do all the overtime work.
All applicants should think about how to write my weaknesses for a resume. For example, a future accountant or design engineer might write:
- distrust;
- excessive scrupulousness;
- increased anxiety;
- excessive demands on oneself;
- straightforwardness;
- pedantry;
- modesty;
- inability to lie;
- difficulties in establishing contact with strangers;
- self-esteem;
- lack of flexibility in labor matters;
- integrity;
- inflated sense of responsibility;
- lack of diplomacy.
- hyperactivity;
- self-confidence;
- restlessness;
- impulsiveness;
- the need for external motivation;
- distrust, desire to double-check and confirm all information.
Disadvantages for one profession can become advantages for another.
You can also indicate in your resume among your negative qualities:
- straightforwardness;
- workaholism;
- excessive love of communication.
Applicants for the position of manager must prepare before filling out this column. It is better to think in advance about what weaknesses to include in your resume. You can write to them about the following character traits:
- excessive emotionality;
- pedantry;
- love for little things;
- thoughts about work and planning occupy most of your free time;
- increased demands on others.
A good example would be the following:
- inability to respond to rudeness with rudeness;
- tendency to make decisions based on one’s own opinion;
- distrust of people and love of confirmation of facts.
Some applicants prefer to indicate that they:
- overly trusting;
- can raise their voice to subordinates;
- straightforward, express their opinions without veiled embellishments;
- hot-tempered;
- always looking for confirmation of words;
- have a hypertrophied sense of responsibility;
- prone to formalism and pay excessive attention to detail;
- irritated by clutter;
- slow;
- do not like to do something to please others.
Many people are afraid to write about shortcomings, believing that the employer will immediately send their resume to the trash bin. Of course, you shouldn’t be too frank, but you shouldn’t completely skip this section of the questionnaire. In this case, you can write about some neutral qualities that will not affect your work in any way. For a person applying for any vacancy, among the inherent weaknesses one can indicate:
- fear of airplanes;
- arachnophobia (fear of spiders), vespertiliophobia (fear of bats), ophidiophobia (fear of snakes);
- excess weight;
- lack of experience;
- age (suitable for people over 40 years old);
- love of shopping;
- love for sweets.
This information does not characterize you in any way, it simply speaks about your fears or small weaknesses.
The following disadvantages can be mentioned:
- I don’t always express my thoughts accurately;
- I trust people too much;
- prone to reflection;
- I often analyze past mistakes, focusing too much attention on them;
- I spend a lot of time evaluating my actions.
These are negative qualities, but they should not affect the work process.
Regardless of the position for which you are applying, you can write the following weaknesses in your resume:
- I get so carried away with work that I forget to take breaks;
- I can’t build relationships with colleagues because I don’t like gossip;
- I can’t fight back in response to boorish treatment;
- I constantly pass all situations through myself;
- I let people get too close;
- I don’t know how to swear;
- I get noticeably worried when I have to lie.
Please note that there are items that are best left unindicated. You should not write, for example, that you:
- love to be lazy;
- afraid to take responsibility;
- don't like making decisions;
- unpunctual;
- are often distracted;
- you only think about your salary;
- love office romances.
For example, if you write about your laziness in your resume, you run the risk that the employer will decide that you don’t want to work.
No people are perfect, and employers know this very well. A person’s recognition of his weaknesses speaks of the harmonious development of personality and adequate self-perception. A confident candidate will easily name several of his less outstanding traits.
If you cannot be considered a very confident person, then the answer to the question about your shortcomings needs to be worked out in advance, and it is best to reflect it in your resume. Experts do not recommend specifying more than three weaknesses. Moreover, they must be work-related. You shouldn't point out that you don't like playing with children when applying for an engineering position.
Examples for filling out the “disadvantages” column:
- excessive emotionality;
- workaholism;
- restlessness;
- pedantry;
- modesty;
- integrity;
- excessive initiative;
- insufficient activity, etc.
Please note that many disadvantages can be considered advantages in certain circumstances. Depending on the field of activity, different personality traits may be required. For example, for a secretary, pedantry will be more likely a plus, but for an applicant for the position of a salesperson, emotionality will not be a hindrance.
CV Weaknesses You Shouldn't Mention
There are character flaws that should not be included on a resume or mentioned in an interview. They most often concern those aspects of the personality that are weakly connected with labor activity or characterize you as a bad employee.
Examples of negative characteristics to avoid:
- lack of punctuality;
- tendency to procrastination;
- laziness;
- inability to keep promises;
- frivolity in personal life;
- irresponsibility, etc.
These are not character weaknesses on a resume, but a real recognition that the organization does not need such an employee. However, if you came for an interview, but realized that you don’t want to work here, then you can at least voice all the points at once.
Writing a resume is a painstaking and difficult process. Figure out what negative sides add to the appropriate section. This will make your job search much easier.
Questions asked during an interview are aimed at giving the employer or recruiter the most complete answer on three main points:
- ability to perform this work;
- desire to do such work;
- compliance with the company’s corporate culture.
Personal qualities are one of the main questions when meeting a candidate.
This information will help the employer or recruiter get an initial impression of the applicant not only as a specialist, but as a person.
Often questions asked with subtext are needed precisely to obtain information about the personal qualities of the candidate.
The employer undoubtedly wants to know whether your negative traits nature of implementation functional responsibilities and communication in a team.
Which ones are worth mentioning and which ones are not?
Very often you can hear the question from candidates: what are the positive and negative qualities name at the interview?
Employers are interested in employees with character traits such as:
- determination;
- organization;
- initiative;
- diligence;
- creativity;
- goodwill;
- determination.
Tell us about them if you really have them. Give examples.
Often during an interview you are asked to name three negative qualities and three positive qualities. Think about this point in advance.
There is no need to say that you are professional, adequate, loyal, smart, charming. Other people can notice and name such qualities when talking about you, but not you yourself.
Never mention negative characteristics such as laziness, disorganization, short temper and the like.
In general, 3 negative qualities in an interview are, first of all, self-doubt, fear of the interlocutor and insincerity.
Do I need to repeat what is written on my resume?
The interview is conducted to get to know you personally and to check whether what is stated in your resume is true. Therefore, it is likely that the employer will ask you a question that has already been covered in your resume.
In addition, the employer may simply not read the resume thoroughly. When answering the question, tell everything in your own words. Depart from the templates, but be precise, but also do not allow any discrepancies in facts from the document.
It is unacceptable to answer a question with: “It says so on my resume.”
How to talk about positive and negative qualities
No need to be modest!
In case you think that you do not have any outstanding qualities, just tell them what you have.
For example: ability to concentrate - you focus your attention on specific task and see it through to completion without distractions.
A high speed work - always complete a task as quickly as possible, without procrastinating.
You should not take the question literally: “Tell me, what are your personal qualities that are shortcomings?” Not the best The best decision When answering such a question, begin to describe your weaknesses in detail.
It is better to determine in advance which of your qualities have double meaning.
At first glance, these are disadvantages, but if you choose a different perspective, they may turn out to be advantages. Think about the wording and present your weaknesses so that they look positive.
Sample answer: “I usually pay a lot of attention to detail, and I know that in some areas of work such meticulousness is not important and is not always appropriate. But I see that for the position for which I am applying, this character trait should be useful.”
If your employer asked you to share three weaknesses, you could list the following: “Intolerance – I can’t stand disorder. Irritability – slightly infuriating at the incompetence of employees.
I’m picky and meticulous – I don’t allow myself the right to make mistakes.” Here you can see that not very pleasant character traits turn into advantages.
How to talk about strengths and weaknesses.
Very often, recruiters ask for examples of strengths and weaknesses during an interview. This task can be played to the obvious benefit of the applicant.
Feel free to name your strengths. Try to tell more about those that will be useful for the vacancy you have chosen, or for the situation in the company. For example, maintaining the ability to work under stress. Support your words with examples from the past. Think about sample answers in advance.
What is a bad quality to mention in an interview? When answering a question about weaknesses, be careful and careful. There is no need to openly admit them to yourself. Instead, you can talk about minor gaps in areas that are not clearly required for the position.
Positive and negative qualities in an interview should equally present you in a favorable light. The main thing is to remember what shortcomings you can talk about at an interview, and what it is better to remain silent about.
If the recruiter insists on clarifying the weaknesses of nature, and not professional ones, then tell about 1-2, and those that cannot always be considered as weaknesses.
To be completely honest?
An employer asks you to name your weaknesses during an interview, what should you say? How to answer interview questions about weaknesses correctly?
To avoid the impression that you are not answering questions frankly, it is worth pointing out some shortcomings or gaps in knowledge, but most importantly, choose the right wording. 
Honestly admit some of your shortcomings, name your shortcomings, but talk about them in a way that makes them seem more like positives.
If you have to say that you are not fully familiar with a particular type of activity, indicate only those areas that are not critical to the vacancy.
Think about your answers in advance. If you really want to get this job, then don't take the risk.
How to tell about yourself in an original way?
According to statistical studies, about 90% of applicants mention their responsibility, sociability and determination. It is clear that such qualities are unlikely to interest or draw the attention of the listener to them.
If you talk about general, common character traits that are undoubtedly positive, but everyone talks about them, it won’t hurt, but it won’t make you stand out from the general background of applicants.
You can take a different route: talk about rare qualities that match your character.
Better yet, provide examples of how these qualities were used, the positive role they played, or how they were viewed positively. By using this tactic, you have a chance to stand out and be remembered.
Remember that sometimes what is more important to an employer is not WHAT, but HOW you answer questions about personal qualities. Reasonable, logical, confident answers, as well as grammatically correct speech are of great importance.
Demonstrate positive attitude, the ability to adequately respond to complex or personal issues, the ability to find compromises and the right solutions.
Successful interview! Moreover, now you know exactly what weaknesses you can point out at an interview and how to correctly talk about your shortcomings in order to make a favorable impression.
Which section of a resume do you consider the most important?
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When applying for a job, your application form becomes the only link with your employer. Get Good work It’s difficult without the correct presentation of your own capabilities. However, many serious ones require filling out an insidious item - character weaknesses.
In a resume, every word written is important. Do not fill out this line hastily!
Your weaknesses on your resume should be a mirror image of your strengths.
How to turn weaknesses into strengths on your resume
But you shouldn’t be too zealous in listing your shortcomings. And there is no need to reproach yourself for your personality weaknesses. Remember that what is good for one person is unacceptable for another. For example, for someone you are wasteful, someone will consider you generous; Some will see greed in you, others will say - economical.
Present your negative character traits to the employer, wrapping them in a beautiful package. For example, for an accountant, unsociability can even be useful in work, but a manager with this quality will have a hard time.
Expert opinion
Natalia Molchanova
HR manager
Find 2-3 traits of your character that would be considered a disadvantage in everyday life, but from the point of view of your chosen profession turn into undeniable advantages.
What weaknesses should you include in your resume?
You should think carefully about this. Sometimes writing a few words about yourself is much more difficult than you thought. After all, what’s at stake is working in a reputable company, and the well-being of the whole family may depend on your ability to show your weaknesses in your application form.
Of course, there is no guarantee that the next employer will take you on to their team. There is no doubt that the future boss will not only not put him aside, but will show his interest and will certainly want to meet. So what trump cards will we have in store to beat our competitors?
Be truthful
The habit of exaggeration will come in handy here. If the employer does not require you to dwell on negative qualities, then there is no need to write anything. Then emphasize your merits as a specialist by mentioning your strengths. If your resume needs to be written in any form, then focus on your positive aspects as individuals and specialists in the field.
But what shortcomings should you include in your resume in order to become the first applicant for the long-awaited position?
- Firstly, as we have already said, so that the employer does not get the impression of you as a person with painfully inflated self-esteem, in no case do we ignore the point about shortcomings.
- Secondly, don't deviate from your resume writing style. When talking with an interlocutor live, it is much easier to convey information to the listener: you can use gestures, facial expressions, and focus on his reaction. In the case of a resume, a special approach is needed, because the manager sees only what is written.
- Thirdly, the boss will not be able to help but note the honesty of the resume, where you will briefly report your shortcomings, based on some important points.
Don't chase the standard
When reviewing a resume, each employer looks at the situation from its own angle. Sometimes the same character trait can be viewed in two ways. For some, it will turn out to be the positive side of the coin, while others may be blacklisted for having such character traits.
Expert opinion
Natalia Molchanova
HR manager
Each field of activity requires an individual approach. In teamwork, leadership qualities will only hinder the team, but for a manager, the ability to make his own decisions will be quite useful.
Be intellectually mature
It is important that you are aware of your imperfections and do not take criticism with hostility. After all, only an intellectually mature person can calmly and fairly conduct a personal assessment of his positive and negative sides.
It is undoubtedly easier for an employer to give preference to a mature personality than to educate an unbalanced person.
Show your willingness to work on yourself
Having presented your negative qualities to the general court, be sure to indicate that you are actively fighting against the shortcoming you indicated. You can’t let your employer think that you live comfortably with this negativity.
It could be shyness or impulsiveness. You can point out their manifestation in accordance with the situation, and make it clear that you are waging a persistent struggle against the presence of these disadvantages: expanding your connections and striving to keep your ardor under control.
Let's look at a simple example in a resume, where the weaknesses of the applicant turned into a positive side from a professional point of view.
"IN Everyday life you are unable to refuse people, and because of this you do not have your own personal life. However, the boss may consider this quality more than beneficial for him. Having hired a reliable employee, the manager expects that he will always be able to rely on such an employee, no matter what issues the assignment concerns. This trait can be simply invaluable for personnel who work under someone’s direct supervision.
Present your strengths as weaknesses
Psychology is a very interesting science. Of course, it’s not worth filling out the field for shortcomings with the phrases “increased responsibility” or “workaholism.” The manager will immediately accuse you of dishonesty.
To take a highly paid position and, along with it, a future boss, you need to:
- gullibility - you will be perceived as a person capable of concluding agreements exclusively with trusted partners;
- self-confidence - they will see you as a leader inclined to move forward;
- hyperactivity - they will place bets on the speed of completing assigned tasks commensurate with other employees;
- slowness - they will find in you a scrupulous worker who can see mistakes and notice important nuances;
- increased anxiety - they will note a responsible approach to work and their responsibilities;
- straightforwardness - you will be considered a master of negotiations who will confidently insist on the terms and requirements of the company;
- demanding - they will think: if an employee is demanding of himself, then he is also demanding of production processes you will treat with no less responsibility;
- pedantry - will determine the ability to bring initiatives to perfection through repeated checks;
- restlessness - they will see you as an employee who is ready to carry out new tasks and assignments regardless of external factors;
- modesty - will be included in the number of employees who weigh what is said, which helps prevent conflict situations and unnecessary misunderstandings.
For the resume of a future accountant, the following can be used as an example of weaknesses:
- suspicion;
- excessive pedantry;
- increased anxiety;
- straightforwardness;
- scrupulousness;
- modesty;
- inability to lie;
- pride;
- lack of agreement in work situations;
- scrupulousness;
- an inflated sense of responsibility;
- inability to negotiate.
But for specialties that require direct communication with a wide audience, this list of qualities is extremely unsuitable.
For example, a manager can indicate in his resume:
- restlessness;
- hyperactivity;
- demandingness;
- impudence;
- stubbornness;
- self-confidence;
- straightforwardness;
- impulsiveness.
Why does a manager want to know about your shortcomings?
If the future boss decides to include a “character weaknesses” column in his resume, then he cannot ignore it.
Be yourself, believe in yourself and you will succeed, and finally, video
