“How can you do this !!!! Come up with at least one weakness……”My mind scolded me for not remembering the strategic negative qualities I had thought of while preparing for the mock interviews. “Come on, everyone has some negative qualities” I could see the interviewer make the trap more inviting.
“Punctuality is very much a positive quality!!!” I remembered how my communications skills trainer reacted when I stated “being punctual” as my biggest negative quality. The teacher contested my view saying that punctuality is one of the most desired qualities in any profession. I tried convincing her about how being on time has always put me at a disadvantage.
Whenever my gang of friends plan to meet, an unsaid understanding perpetually delays the plan by at least an hour; while, on the other hand I make it a point to at least convey about my late arrival. On weddings, the bride and groom inevitably arrive late which postpones the post ceremony dinner by a couple of hours. I even end up hearing announcements at airports and railway stations apologising for the delays in departures.
“A quality which ends up underutilization of the most valuable non-renewable resource called time should come under the category of a weakness” I explained. The lady sitting on the opposite seat seemed only partially convinced.
As I did not want to take any chances for the only job I was convinced I’d love to do, I chose to look for the second worst weakness, which even sounds like a weakness. Taking a few seconds I picked another one which cleared the negativity screening test.
“I tend to procrastinate, so I try to complete the task as soon as I get it”
“Okay, so you postpone things !”
“Well, yes.. that’s why I start off as soon as possible” I explained.
“Any other?”
Since I had learnt to try and answer every question the interviewer asks, I strained my mind and said “I’m emotional”
“Tell me one more”
Probably the last one too wasn’t convincing enough a weakness.
“I can’t think of anything else” I gave up after straining my mind enough to search for good negative qualities.
The interviewer smiled, as did I, probably empathizing with me.
As I retrospectively analysed what I had spoken, I understood that knowing about weaknesses can empower us to harness them as strengths. I realized, a weakness shouldn’t stay for long, if it does, then the whole point of being cognizant of the flaw is nullified. I’ll make sure, till my next interview, I give a ‘revised’ list of weaknesses! (hopefully the number will be lesser)
The result is still awaited. I’m keen to see if my weaknesses are good enough to take up the work I desire..
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