Strengths & Weaknesses:

A. The ability to work with others Page 12 - #2 – Evaluate your current strengths and weaknesses in the four primary skill areas shown below: A. The ability to work with others B. The ability to write & speak well C. The ability to solve problems D. The ability to analyze information

In the real world, human resource personnel will ask you these questions – either one or the other; and sometimes both. They will not always give you the skills shown on slide #2, but rather want to hear from YOU about what your Strengths are and what Weaknesses you have. Remember these experts are looking for the “Best” people for their companies or organizations. They not only want to know ‘What’ you have – but they want the details….Be able to explain them.

To prepare yourself – you can spend some time and Assess Your Skills using the categories below: Knowledge-based skills: Acquired from education and experience (e.g., computer skills, languages, degrees, training and technical ability). Transferable skills: Your portable skills that you take from job to job (e.g., communication and people skills, analytical problem solving and planning skills) Personal traits: Your unique qualities (e.g., dependable, flexible, friendly, hard working, expressive, formal, punctual and being a team player).

Here are some examples you might mention: Enthusiasm Trustworthiness Creativity Discipline Patience Respectfulness Determination Dedication Honesty Versatility When you complete this list, choose three to five of those strengths that match what the employer is seeking in the job posting. Make sure you can give specific examples to demonstrate why you say that is your strength if probed further.

Assessing your weaknesses This is probably the most dreaded part of the question. Everyone has weaknesses, but who wants to admit to them, especially in an interview? Some examples of weaknesses you might mention include: Being too critical of yourself Attempting to please everyone Being unfamiliar with the latest software The best way to handle this question is to minimize the trait and emphasize the positive. Select a trait and come up with a solution to overcome your weakness.

“A compelling 23-year Longitudinal study of 1,000 children in New Zealand reveled that a child’s observed personality at age 3 shows remarkable similarity to his/her reported personality traits at age 26”…(2003, Journal of Personality). To properly learn and acquire a skill….takes about 15,000 hours of practice. In order to do well…we must understand both our Potential (what could we do) and our limitations (where is that line between go and stop)