interview
Viva interviews feminist thinkers, trailblazing women and female leaders from all walks of life.
Why Custom Shopify Themes Matter More Than You Think
Launching a Shopify store today is easy. Pick a theme. Add products. Publish. Done. But that’s also the problem, everyone does it the same way. Same layouts. Same sections. Same experience. And when every store feels the same, no one remembers yours.
By Rono Golap8 months ago in Viva
How to Talk About Weaknesses in Interviews (Without Sabotaging Yourself). AI-Generated.
How to Talk About Weaknesses in Interviews (Without Sabotaging Yourself) Ever found yourself squirming in your seat when the interviewer asks, "What is your greatest weakness?" You're not alone. The dreaded "weakness question" is a staple in job interviews, and it's one that continues to stump even the most seasoned professionals. Discussing weaknesses for interviews isn't just about being honest; it's about strategic storytelling. In this post, we'll break down why this question matters, how to craft a response that showcases self-awareness and growth, and why avoiding cliches is your best bet. --- Why Do Employers Ask About Weaknesses? Contrary to popular belief, employers aren't trying to trap you. The "weakness" question is an assessment tool designed to evaluate: • Self-awareness: Can you reflect on your personal and professional growth? • Humility: Are you willing to admit you're not perfect? • Growth mindset: Are you actively working on improving? It also helps recruiters gauge how well you fit into the company culture. According to Harvard Business Review, leaders who acknowledge their flaws often build stronger teams because vulnerability builds trust. --- Common Mistakes Candidates Make Before diving into what to say, let’s cover what not to do: 1. Giving a Fake Weakness "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard" may sound safe, but they come off as insincere and rehearsed. Recruiters have heard these a thousand times. 2. Over-Confessing Being too transparent can backfire. Saying, "I have trouble meeting deadlines" without showing progress or context is a red flag. 3. Dodging the Question Trying to avoid the question entirely sends the message that you either lack self-awareness or aren't taking the interview seriously. --- Structuring the Perfect Response To answer the weaknesses question effectively, use the "Present-Past-Future" framework: 1. Present: Name the weakness (clearly and humbly). 2. Past: Share a story or situation where this weakness affected your work. 3. Future: Highlight what you’ve done to improve and the results. Here’s an example: > "One area I’ve been working on is public speaking. In the past, I found myself avoiding presentations, which limited my visibility in team projects. To address this, I joined a local Toastmasters group and started volunteering to lead meetings. It’s still a work in progress, but I’ve become more confident, and recently led a successful client workshop." This shows self-awareness, initiative, and progress—all while keeping the tone positive. --- 6 Smart Examples of Weaknesses (and How to Frame Them) 1. Delegation > "I used to struggle with delegating tasks, wanting to do everything myself. But I realized this wasn't scalable. I began using project management tools like Asana to assign responsibilities clearly, which improved team efficiency." 2. Impatience with Slow Decision-Making > "I tend to push for quick decisions, which isn’t always ideal. I've learned to balance speed with thoroughness by asking better questions and understanding others' perspectives." 3. Overcommitting > "I often took on more work than I could handle because I didn’t want to let anyone down. I now use time-blocking and set realistic boundaries to manage expectations better." 4. Not Speaking Up in Meetings > "Early in my career, I was hesitant to share ideas. I started preparing talking points ahead of time and seeking feedback afterward. This helped me build confidence and contribute more regularly." 5. Avoiding Conflict > "I used to avoid difficult conversations to keep the peace. Through mentorship and reading books like Crucial Conversations, I've learned that addressing issues early prevents bigger problems." 6. Tech Skills Gaps > "While I come from a non-technical background, I realized understanding basic coding helps in cross-functional projects. I took a beginner's Python course on Coursera and now feel more equipped to collaborate with dev teams." --- Tailoring Your Weakness to the Role Not every weakness is created equal. If you’re applying for a leadership role, mentioning struggles with assertiveness might be concerning. But if you’re applying for a data entry role, public speaking isn’t as critical. --- Personal Reflection: A Lesson I Learned A few years ago, I interviewed for a content strategy role. When asked about my weakness, I blurted out, "I'm not very organized." Ouch. The interviewer raised an eyebrow. I quickly pivoted, mentioning how I'd started using Notion to manage tasks and track deadlines. I got the job, but the experience taught me a crucial lesson: always pair a weakness with a solution. --- Expert Tips to Keep in Mind • Be Honest but Strategic: Don't lie, but choose a weakness that won’t raise major concerns. • Avoid the Cliché Trap: Stay away from overused answers like "I'm a perfectionist." • Show Progress: Make it clear that you’re actively working to improve. • Practice Your Delivery: Confidence matters. Rehearse your answer, but keep it conversational. According to career coach Jenny Foss, the goal is to show you’re coachable and growth-oriented—not flawless. --- Final Thoughts Discussing weaknesses in interviews doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. Done well, it can actually be a compelling moment that sets you apart. By framing your weaknesses as part of a broader narrative of self-improvement, you demonstrate maturity, adaptability, and a desire to grow—traits any employer would value.
By MD Minhaj Uddin Shopnil8 months ago in Viva
Busting the Biological Clock Myth: Empowering Women’s Choices
The most well-thought-out advice provided to women of this generation seems to be, "Have a baby when you are ready to raise one." But nobody discusses how to get there. One has to prepare for pregnancy only when one is ready financially, emotionally, and physically, as feminist discourses remind us. But due to your "ticking biological clock," this has to be done in a hurry. There was always pressure on women to bear children.
By Hridya Sharma10 months ago in Viva
Feminist Vigilantism in Action: The Inspiring Story of Gulabi Gang. Content Warning.
The pink-colored house is in the secluded town of Attara. In a humble look, there are hundreds of women visiting the house every year due to all sorts of reasons, e.g., dowry demands, domestic violence, illegal harassment of family members, etc. All the common people do not know about it. One of the largest, most powerful, and most influential feminist vigilante organizations in the world has its base here.
By Hridya Sharma11 months ago in Viva
P Diddy Latest
The legal troubles surrounding music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs have escalated, with a newly filed indictment in New York accusing him of trafficking at least three women as part of a decades-long sexual abuse scheme. The latest charges include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. These developments add to the growing list of legal challenges facing the 55-year-old rapper, producer, and entrepreneur.
By Horace Wasland11 months ago in Viva
The Symbolism of Medusa- A Deeper Look at Purity Culture and Patriarchal Norms
Despite being one of Greek mythology's most infamous monsters, Medusa's story has always been unique. As one of the fiercest predators in the genre, she might have survived the storms of time. However, the story can be interpreted through a feminist lens. Medusa was more of the prey than the predator. As a follower of the goddess Athena, Medusa made a vow to live chastely, but when Poseidon sexually assaulted her in the temple, that plan fell apart. To put it briefly, the goddess of war did not find the Greek god Poseidon's seduction of a lovely young woman in Athena's temple endearing. Another version tells a darker story in which the god of the sea pursues the innocent woman violently against her will. She rushes across Athens, desperate to get away from her conqueror.
By Hridya Sharma12 months ago in Viva
