perfectionist as a weakness

Some interviewers even refer to the, what are your weaknesses question, as the, perfectionist interview question. You will meet people, many of them perfectionists, who try to spin it as a strength, but they are lying to themselves. If we dig a little deeper, it becomes clear perfectionism is a weakness if you’re truly obsessed with every detail of everything you do. Your marks will come from demonstrating reflection, learning and development – not from listing many weaknesses. As a result, perfectionists seldom claim to be perfectionists. You’re not outsmarting the interviewer by claiming you are a perfectionist. It’s cliché to get the “I’m a perfectionist” answer when you ask candidates to tell you about their 3 biggest weaknesses in a job interview.It’s a difficult question, but “perfectionism”, too often overlooked is not a trivial weakness at all.It is one of our biggest enemies, no I mean, seriously. That causes you to take a backseat in your career, and perhaps in other aspects of life, too, because it’s safer to stick with what you know. After all, perfectionists work hard to make everything, well, perfect. Being a perfectionist is a weakness. I was labouring over the details and in turn, caused my manager to be stressed when I almost missed the deadline on my deliverables. 閱讀中文版本. In the past, I found this leading me to triple-check every item on a spreadsheet, closely proofread emails to ensure I’d communicated what I was trying to get across in a clear, concise way, or fiddle with the layout of a presentation to ensure that it was perfect. It depends on how you approach it and how it approaches you. This type of reflection can actually enhance your workplace performance. 811 Views ... For years this trait has been disguised as a strength because in the end perfectionist type individuals are focused. However, this response only scratches the surface of a real answer. Perfectionism: A Strength as Well as A Weakness. Say a weakness that is only a small, barely important weakness. A person may perform the functions of a job with a vision of the “perfect” way to perform or the “perfect” outcome of the work. In a work context, perfectionists might … Is Being a Perfectionist a Weakness or a Strength? Spending all those hours on the details undoubtedly pulled you away from another project or presentation that deserved more of an effort than you could give it in the long run. Is it correct that a perfectionist could also have a personality disorder such as narcissism? A meta-analysis of 95 studies and nearly 25,000 working-age individuals, conducted from the 1980s to today, has examined the relationship between perfectionism and factors that impact employees ’ effectiveness. A more relaxed approach will make things better for your state of mind and the states of mind of everyone with whom you work. A person may perform the functions of a job with a vision of the “perfect” way to perform or the “perfect” outcome of the work. Giving more than one weakness. Perfectionism is just as much of a strength as it is a weakness. But actually, the dreaded 'What are your weaknesses?' Although, this can lead too many nights of battling what is right and what is wrong. This is because since they are always so detailed, they try to check their finished work more than twice. Disguise your strength as a weakness: I'm a perfectionist. And more than anything, they’re looking for a real person. It’s all about loosening the reins, delegating or otherwise taking a step back. Let’s get the biggest negative out of the way first. Yet the writer says that others see perfectionism as something negative. I would then say that I am a perfectionist, but I can't really think of any reasoning as to why that is a bad thing that would be appropriate for me to say in the interview without leading to negative reflection amongst the interviewers. Plus, your new outlook will help you in your next interview, too. Remember that, when asking this question, interviewers aren’t looking for super-human candidates whose only weakness is that they’re “a little too perfect.” They’re looking for people who know themselves—both their strong suits and points of weakness—and who can improve on those things. Follow this answer with an example, such as:When I was a junior web desi… These tiny tasks are just begging you to let your perfectionist side out, but they’re a time suck that draws you away from bigger to-dos. It’s easy to become flustered and begin to list multiple negatives before talking about one. Perfectionism and insecurity go together like peanut butter and jelly. You know your biggest weakness is perfectionism … but you can avoid the cliché and point to what, specifically, is holding you back and share all the steps you’re taking to make it better. The short answer, we found, is that perfectionism is a much bigger weakness than job applicants and interviewers probably assume. Whether you’ve been through a series of interviews, or you’ve spent a considerable amount of time preparing for one, you know the dreaded question — “What’s your greatest weakness?” And, if you’re familiar with that inquiry, you also know one of the most common responses — “I’m a perfectionist.”. At the very least, they perceive it that way. Like all strengths there can be a point at which it does in fact become a weakness. No matter how good you are at your job, though, you won’t get far without taking on new tasks and risks. For example, most people believe it is important to try to do one’s best and not make mistakes. Depending on who you ask, people may consider perfectionism to be a strength or a weakness. It turns out perfectionism is a much bigger weakness than job applicants and interviewers probably assume. Some of the advantages of being a perfectionist include: Being highly organized Updated: Sep 26, 2019. A good interviewer won't let you get away with it and will drill deeper to flush you out. Show your weakness. And you’ve probably heard that a great answer is something along the lines of, “Well, I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist.” It addresses the question directly, but still presents you in a positive light—who wouldn’t want an employee with an overwhelming commitment to quality, especially in fields where details make the difference? Perfectionism, on the other hand, involves a tendency to set standards that are so high they either cannot be met or are only met with great difficulty.Perfectionists tend to believe that anything short of perfection is horrible, and that even minor imperfections will lead to catastrophe. You can deliver a more effective and unique answer by explaining that you tend to be extra critical of your own work, that you have a propensity to overthink projects before diving in, or that you always like to deliver an exceptional product, which means you’re often working up against deadlines. I learned the hard way back then, but I did learn. However, this response only scratches the surface of a real answer. Early on in my career, when I worked for ABC Inc., that’s exactly what happened. Throughout my time as an excellence-seeking perfectionist (meaning I … These people (perfectionists) tend to seek out perfectionism in others as well, and are not typically understanding when others are not as fast, smart, or as perfect as they view themselves. Since top interview questions like this are so awkward to answer, let's take the time to go through a few examples to fully grasp their dual nature. Example 6: “I tend to be a perfectionist and can linger on the details of a project which can threaten deadlines. I'm applying for a new job and I am preparing myself for the interview. If you’re always go, go, going with projects in this way, you never have time to reflect on the things you could have done differently. It will help you let go of your perfectionism, too, if you admit it’s normal to make missteps along the way. Perfectionism isn’t some “strength disguised as a weakness,” it’s a problematic perspective that can have serious implications. To put it simply: it’s both. That task gets the same detailed treatment, too, until a deadline forces you to complete it. Read More: The Best Way to Talk About Your Strengths and Weaknesses in a Job Interview, Jessica Taylor is the annoying friend who responds "seen it" to every link you send her. Posted Nov 07, 2013 Here’s the thing: Chances are, telling a hiring manager that perfectionism is your greatest weakness won’t surprise him or her—and it might come off as sounding like an overly rehearsed cliché. Perfectionists are really slow when it comes to getting their job done. If they are, in fact, a perfectionist, they are assuming their ideal of perfection is Focusing on every detail is tiring, but you also can’t stop. Think about your last big project — you probably mulled over the meat of it for quite some time, but how many hours did you spend tweaking fonts, designing slides, changing the colors of bar graphs, etc.? Perfectionism is a real weakness, and I know this because I’m actually a perfectionist. Perfectionists tend to believe that anything short of perfection is horrible, and that even minor imperfections will lead to catastrophe. To break this habit, you should learn how to delegate — no matter how hard it is for you to do it at first. There are ways to explain that perfectionism is your greatest weakness that really demonstrate authenticity. Perfectionism isn’t some “strength disguised as a weakness,” it’s a problematic perspective that can have serious implications. Sometimes, perfectionists build a bad reputation for themselves at the office because, well, nothing’s ever good enough. Most importantly, though, the happy balance you strike will make you feel better about yourself both professionally and personally, which will further spur your success. Plus, you also deserve a pat on the back from time to time, and the end of a big project or presentation is the perfect time to celebrate you. After graduating with a BA in public relations from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Jessica went on to earn her MBA and is a corporate communications professional in Phoenix, Ariz. She’s reportedly allergic to cold weather and anything sci-fi related, and known to travel great distances to see the Red Sox play. Perfectionism 4 Difficulties of Being a Perfectionist Trying to be perfect is where your troubles begin. I hate job interviews. c. Name a trait that will have no real impact on your work: I get really nervous speaking in front of large groups. Trying to gather all the information before considering taking your first action. You can deliver a more effective and unique answer by explaining that you tend to be extra critical of your own work, that you have a propensity to overthink projects before diving in, or that you always like to deliver an exceptional product, which means you’re often working up against … (And then following up with all the ways you’re actively seeking to improve this trait, of course.). This article will show you: What an interviewer wants to hear when they ask for a list of weaknesses. You can learn how to utilize the strengths of perfectionists in your business and help us improve on our weaknesses. One of the questions that I think will be asked is "What are your weaknesses?" Why is perfectionism a weakness? Yet the writer says that others see perfectionism as something negative. Disguise your strength as a weakness: I'm a perfectionist. If you’re not truly held back by perfectionist tendencies, look for something else to talk about—the fact that you’re working on speaking up more in meetings, for example, or that delegating doesn’t come naturally to you. But without time to breathe between projects, you’ll never have a moment to think back and improve. Even if you aren’t one yourself, but live or work with a perfectionist, this post will help you understand us a lot better. It also doesn’t offer much of a true insight into your work style or personality (especially if half the other candidates are giving the same response). More on measuring perfectionism Most … So when you review some work that your team has produced, imagine the potential impact when you demand constant updates before you’re happy with it. Whilst, obviously not a weakness, giving this answer is a way of converting a question that invites self-deprecation, into an opportunity for self-aggrandisement. The classic answer to the interview question “What’s your biggest weakness?” is all too often, “I’m too much of a perfectionist”. Many people go with this response because it appears to give them the ability to spin a negative into a positive. Being asked about your weaknesses in a job interview isn't easy, and can often feel like the employer is trying to catch you out. These answers are much more individualized, and they provide a launchpad for a meaningful conversation with your interviewer—which is really what you’re going for. So, here’s how to answer instead. Do recruiters still buy it—even if it’s sort of true? And then, you can point to this lesson in your next interview, admitting perfectionism is a weakness, but explaining how working on it has made you a better employee all around. What is it about this project that takes precedent? Read more of her writing, Looking forward to the year ahead: A letter from The Muse |. After all, perfectionists work hard to make everything, well, perfect. Life might be challenging with a perfectionist but those high achievers drag people through mud to achieve the impossible. It’s not “I’m such a hard worker and I’m not satisfied until the job’s done,” it’s “I always strive for perfection even though I know being perfect is impossible, and I beat myself up when I don’t achieve my totally unrealistic goal which only leads to low self-esteem. 4 Key Advantages Of Perfectionists Thus, not all aspects of perfectionism are n eurotic, unhealthy, or maladaptive. This can slow down the productivity of the whole group and the team may not be able to submit the work in time. Sometimes, this can turn into a tendency to perfectionism. c. Name a trait that will have no real impact on your work: I get really nervous speaking in front of large groups. In a work context, perfectionists might find it difficult to get started, to finish, or to meet deadlines. There was a time I thought that being a perfectionist is a sign of having high standards. Perfection is great is specific scenarios, otherwise for most people it's too time consuming. Like all strengths there can be a point at which it does in fact become a weakness. 2knowmyself is moving to Youtube 2knowmyself will no longer exist in article form as we are moving to youtube.After massive traffic loss as a result of Google's illogical and unpredictable SEO updates i decided to continue my works on youtube instead of a website. In order to get a pair of glasses on our inner perfectionist, then, we have to add a few hues to every relationship, event, and goal: we have to … Undoubtedly, these answers will come across as both insincere, and lacking true self-awareness. I’ve only gone to enough to count with my two hands, but each one of them has turned me into a phony spaz. The obvious advantages of a perfectionist in the workplace include their strong motivation, willingness to work longer hours and high engagement. And if you are? perfectionism into two dimensions as perfectionist striving a positive one and perfectionist concern a negative one. From there, the cycle continues. It’ll make you more productive and a better colleague if you master the practice. Perfectionist Leaders Can Cause Team Frustration and Uncertainty A perfectionist leader likes things to be “just right”. So, let’s dig in — here are four ways perfectionism works against you in the office, and one big way to make it work for you. This means it can be both good and bad. This article first appeared on Punched Clocks. And further, because the label is a misnomer, most perfectionists don’t even realize they’re perfectionists. “Hiring managers are also impressed by things you may be doing outside of work to improve a weakness, such as reading professional or personal development books, listening to podcasts, or – in the case of public speaking – joining a group to develop public speaking skills.” How to answer the "what are your weaknesses" job interview question. Talk about how you’ve conquered the weakness. They will often say that it’s the same thing as the drive to improve, or pursuit of quality. d. Thanks to people trying to pull off the “perfectionist” answer, hiring managers have gotten smarter. There are ways to explain that perfectionism is your greatest weakness that really demonstrate authenticity. Now, rather than ask what your one biggest weakness is, they want you to give two, so if you want to BS your way with the “perfectionist” answer, you are still forced to come up with another one on the fly. Most interviewers do not want to hear that you’re a perfectionist as a weakness! The main reason p e ople answer “perfectionist” is they are looking to flip it into a strength rather than a weakness. If you’re a perfectionist yourself you’ll easily be able to relate. As soon as you finish one project — and, let’s face it, it’s hard for a perfectionist to live up to their own specifications and consider something “done” — you’re onto the next. You use perfection to get yourself out of a bad situation, it's how nature intended, survival of the fittest. ", you don't want to respond, "I tend to work too hard," or "I am too much of a perfectionist.". Ultimately, though, your attention to detail shows you care, and the right amount will impress any employer. Some people may consider the being a perfectionist as a weakness in an interview when the person being interviewed must work with or lead others. However, by presenting the symptoms, rather than just naming the affliction, you’ll sound much more sincere. It might be a challenge as a self-proclaimed perfectionist, but giving yourself credit for the hard work you do is a well-deserved part of the process that will make you feel even better about the time and effort you put into whatever task you’ve just finished. After all, perfectionists work hard to make everything, well, perfect. If perfecting the work and progressing toward that standard gives someone pleasure and energy then it is healthy for him/her to … When an interviewer asks you, "What is your greatest weakness? Perfectionists can make smooth sailing into a storm, a brief ill wind into a category-five hurricane. This type of reflection can actually enhance your workplace performance, which is great news for perfectionists. In other words, you’re so concerned about getting it right 100 percent of the time that you’re afraid to fail. Another con to perfectionism is that you focus on all the wrong details. Start by taking steps to overcome your insecurity — accepting the fact that everyone fails sometimes is a big part of it. In other words, perfectionism shows itself in many different ways. 4 Reasons why Perfectionism is a Weakness, not a Strength. “Be prepared to share an example of a previous failure or weakness that you’ve successfully turned into a strength,” Schweitzer says. The best "what are your weaknesses" example answers. But is this really an appropriate answer? And - hint - it does NOT involve pretending that being a perfectionist is a personal weakness. By Kristen Fisher / On March 29, 2018 / At 6:33 pm / In GET HEALTHY. Employment experts reveal how to answer the 'weakness' question in interview They said you should never say you're a perfectionist you don't look … If you really want to impress the interviewer, you need to come up with a unique answer. This helps the … If they’ve asked for one, only offer one! In short, if you can answer authentically, connect with your interviewer, and provide a personal insight—it’ll go much, much further than some canned response. Follow up that weakness with what you are doing to improve. It turns out perfectionism is a much bigger weakness than job applicants and interviewers probably assume. Fortunately, there’s good news in all of this — perfectionism doesn’t have to be all bad. “I tend to get caught up in the little details, which can distract me from the ultimate goal.”You might be a perfectionist, but your interviewer has heard this answer a billion times (and from plenty of people who aren’t actually perfectionists, I might add). d. Whether you’re a team leader who sends a task back for tweaks multiple times, or you’re a staffer who can’t turn something in until you’ve examined it repeatedly, your co-workers might lose their appreciation for your hard work after a while. One of the most common—and most dreaded—interview questions out there is, “What’s your biggest weakness?”. I hate job interviews. The best method to solve this problem is to set up time limits on getting a certain work done. Get started, to finish, or pursuit of quality, there ’ s easy to become flustered and to. List multiple negatives before talking about one after all, perfectionists build bad! Weakness? ” to submit the work in time of weaknesses on your work: I get really speaking! Everything, well, perfect peanut butter and jelly two dimensions as perfectionist striving a positive one perfectionist... Excellence-Seeking perfectionist ( meaning I … Disguise your strength as well as a result, perfectionists work hard to everything... 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