You should never mention these bad traits during a job interview
I used to be really so nervous for a job interview. I got my first job at the age of fourteen, at New York Pizza. Initially, I literally had to take orders over the phone, and even for that, I thought: oh no, will they find me suitable? Fortunately, that was a job interview that meant nothing, and those worries were totally unfounded.
However, I have also had times when I went for an interview for a part-time job at a sports clothing store (something my student self, who hung out in bars at the time, had little affinity with) and I was subjected to a barrage of questions. Where did I see myself in five years? What were my good qualities? What were my areas for improvement? And then a role play with a so-called customer to wrap it up. Terrible.
I think everyone is familiar with this kind of questions, and the chances are high that you have also searched on all-knowing Google for suitable areas for improvement to mention in a job interview. You want to be able to mention something, but you also don't want to paint yourself too negatively. So how do you do that? Well, by definitely NOT mentioning these bad traits, if we are to believe Metro.
1. Mention a specific skill
According to Metro, this is a no-go, because it doesn't really answer the question: a skill can still be learned and is therefore not really a trait.
2. Mention a specific character trait
But a trait about your character is also a no-go (they're not making it easy for us). The danger of this is that if you mention a trait that is just too specific, it could be that you are rejected because they are precisely looking for that trait in a person. So keep it as broad and vague as possible.
3. Take it seriously
I always have quite a bit of trouble with this question when it is asked, because I honestly find it such a nonsensical question that you never get a completely honest answer to. I would therefore fail miserably on this point, but it is logical that the people conducting the interview want to see that you take it seriously.
4. Don't say the word ‘workaholic’
Not having a good balance between work and private life is not necessarily something employers are waiting for. Burnouts are more prevalent than ever nowadays, and even if you might think it shows that you are incredibly motivated, you don't achieve that by labeling yourself as a ‘workaholic’.
5. Don't say the word ‘perfectionist’
Yes, again a no-go, and I must honestly say: I have also given this as an answer before. Just like ten thousand others according to Metro, because this is cliché answer number one to this question, and they see right through it.
6. Don't say that you have no bad traits
Just don't do it. Unless you're making a joke. Oh no, that shouldn't be done either. So just don't do it.
7. Give a rehearsed speech
Yeah, wow, now they are really making it difficult for us. This is only going to go wrong if you have to rely on spontaneous answers, right? If you have rehearsed everything in advance, you run the risk of coming across as insincere.
Source: Metro
