How do I turn this weakness into something positive during a job interview?

Question

It is inevitable that one of the questions during an interview is going to be "what are some of your weaknesses?" I know my weaknesses very well, but I don't know how to tell the interviewer without making myself seem like a complete idiot. How would I shine some light on this weakness:

My absolute weakest point is my inability to learn or be able to do something by following audio directions. If someone is trying to explain how to do something without showing me, I will not be able to do it. For example, a co-worker was trying to explain to me how to use a new part of a program (I was already familiar with the program other than this new component). When she was finished explaining, I couldn't have used this new component for the life of me.

That being said, I am a VERY fast hands-on learner. People are always impressed with my ability to catch on when I am physically using the programs that I am learning.

Please help!

Answer 1

I'm a corporate trainer, so I understand what's going on with you. You are a kinesthetic learner, or a "hands on" learner.. there are TONS of people in the workforce just like you... many of them are CEOs.. so, you're in good company. Here's how you would respond to that.

"I have found in the past that I am a kinesthetic learner, I need to have hands on rather than be told what to do. I've overcome this by asking those who train me to show me how to do it, and I've found that I am able to learn new things very quickly now."

Good luck with your job search!

Answer 2

I think you can be up front about it and say, "I'm not an auditory learner but I know that so I compensate by making sure I use the written directions or do the task manaully, which I am very good at." I dont think most people are that aware of their own learjning styles and it shows a real conscientiousness to know that about yourself.

Answer 3

Seeing as how anxious you are about this weakness.. I recommend not mentioning it all, just to skip it for another weakness to expound on.

So you are like me and would rather to read [visual] about something than to try to have someone explain it [audio].

But most interviewers might jump to the conclusion that people like us have a learning impairment.. when that is just not truly the case.

Does this help any?

Answer 4

Just say something like "I only have to be shown something once to get it"...