How to Navigate the Job Market in 2025–2026: Practical Advice for Job Seekers

-
Image
 The job market at the turn of 2025 and 2026 looks very different from what many job seekers remember. Recruitment processes are longer, competition is stronger and technology plays a much bigger role in how candidates are screened and selected. For many people, job searching feels more demanding, more automated, and emotionally exhausting. At the same time, employers still look for real people with clear skills, good communication, and the ability to explain their value. Understanding how the market works today can make the difference between feeling stuck and moving forward with confidence. What Has Changed in the Job Market in 2025–2026 Across global markets, job seekers report that hiring processes take significantly longer than before. It is common for recruitment cycles to last several months, with multiple interview stages and long periods of silence between them. Many candidates experience frustration when they receive little or no feedback after interviews, a phenomenon of...
Post a Comment

54: How to Talk About Your Strengths and Weaknesses in a Job Interview – Business English Tips

-

 

Welcome back to Business English Talks, your resource for professional English you can actually use. This is part three of our Job Interview Series, and today we’re focusing on a classic but tricky question: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”


This question is almost guaranteed to come up in one form or another, and it's your chance to show self-awareness, professionalism, and confidence.



✅ Why do interviewers ask this question?


They want to know:


If you understand your value and your limits.


Whether you are honest and realistic.


How you deal with challenges or mistakes.


What strengths you bring to their company.



💪 Talking About Strengths


Focus on professional qualities that are relevant to the job. Choose 1–3 and support each with a quick example.


🌟 Useful Phrases:


One of my strengths is...


I’m good at...


I’m known for being...


I’ve always been strong in...


My colleagues often say I’m...


I consistently receive positive feedback on...


I have a natural ability to...



💼 Example Strengths:


Communication


Teamwork


Problem-solving


Time management


Adaptability


Attention to detail


Leadership


Strategic thinking


Creativity


Reliability



📊 Example Answer 1:


"One of my key strengths is communication. I’m very comfortable working with different departments and presenting ideas clearly. In my last job, I regularly led meetings with both clients and colleagues, which improved our workflow and reduced misunderstandings."


📊 Example Answer 2:


"I’m very organised and detail-oriented. In my last position as a project coordinator, I created a new checklist system that helped our team meet deadlines more consistently and reduced last-minute changes."


📊 Example Answer 3:


"A strength I’ve developed is adaptability. I worked in three different departments over two years and quickly learned to adjust to new roles and expectations. I believe this flexibility will help me contribute to your fast-paced environment."


📊 Example Answer 4:


"Creativity is one of my strongest traits. While working in marketing, I designed a campaign that increased social media engagement by 35% in three months. I enjoy coming up with new ideas and testing what works."



⚠️ Talking About Weaknesses


Be honest, but strategic. Choose something real - not “I’m a perfectionist” - and show how you’re working on it.


🌐 Useful Phrases:


One area I’m working to improve is...


I used to struggle with...


I’ve learned to manage...


I’m currently focusing on...


I realised that I needed to improve...


I’ve taken steps to become better at...



⚙️ Common Weaknesses (and how to frame them positively):


Public speaking: "I used to be nervous about presenting, so I joined a Toastmasters club and now feel more confident giving team updates."


Delegating: "I’ve always been very hands-on and found it difficult to delegate. I’m learning to trust my team more and give clearer instructions."


Impatience with slow processes: "I like to move quickly, so I sometimes feel frustrated by long procedures. I’m learning to plan ahead and communicate better with stakeholders."


Asking for help: "I used to try to solve everything on my own, but I’ve realized the value of asking for input early on. Now I make an effort to check in with colleagues."


Overcommitting: "I tend to say yes to everything, which can lead to stress. I’ve started using a priority matrix to manage my time and say no when necessary."



🧠 Realistic Full Answer Example:


"One of my strengths is my ability to stay organised and manage time effectively. I’m used to working with multiple deadlines and keeping projects on track. At the same time, I’ve been working on improving my confidence in giving feedback to others. I’ve started using clearer language in meetings and asking for feedback on how I communicate, and it’s helped a lot."


🧠 Full Answer Example 2:


"I’m a strategic thinker who enjoys solving complex problems. In my current job, I created a new process for prioritising client requests, which helped reduce response time by 40%. On the other hand, I tend to avoid conflict. I’ve realised that giving honest feedback can be helpful, and I’m working on being more assertive in difficult conversations."


🧠 Full Answer Example 3:


"Reliability is one of my strongest qualities – I always meet deadlines and follow through. My previous manager praised me for always being available to support the team. A weakness I’ve noticed is that I sometimes stay quiet in large meetings. I’m working on speaking up more and contributing my ideas, even in bigger groups."



🎯 Final Tips:


Choose real qualities - avoid clichés like “I work too hard.”


Support both your strengths and weaknesses with short, specific examples.


Show a growth mindset: what are you learning, how are you improving?


Practice your answer out loud so it sounds natural and confident.


Don’t be afraid to show personality, as long as it’s professional.


You can also prepare:


A short version (1 minute) for phone interviews


A longer version (2-3 minutes) for face-to-face interviews


In the next post, we’ll cover: “Why do you want to work here?” - how to tailor your answer to any company and make a strong impression.


For more practical tips, phrases, and pronunciation help, check out the podcast Business English Talks on Spotify.


See you in part four!


Learn how to talk about your strengths and weaknesses in English during a job interview. Includes real examples, useful phrases, and smart strategies to sound confident and professional.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

52: English for Job Interviews. 1: How to Talk About Your Responsibilities – Clearly and Professionally

-
Image
  In almost every job interview, you’ll be asked about your previous work experience – and more specifically, what you were responsible for. Many people answer this with: > “I did this… I worked there… I had to do that…” But these phrases are too general or too casual. Let’s look at how to describe your responsibilities in a way that’s clear, professional, and natural – and how to avoid sounding too basic or vague. ✅ 1. The go-to structure: “I was responsible for…” This is a safe, professional and flexible phrase. You can use it in almost any context. Examples: I was responsible for managing customer accounts. I was responsible for training new employees and answering client emails. I was responsible for scheduling meetings and preparing reports. Why we like it: It’s clear, easy to expand, and sounds professional. ✅ 2. Useful alternatives to add variety You don’t want to repeat the same phrase in every answer. Try using some of these alternatives: I handled... I handled customer...
Read more

Mastering Small Talk with the FORD Method: Exploring "Occupation" (O)

-
Image
  When it comes to small talk, asking about someone’s job or work is often the easiest and safest way to start a conversation. Work is a common topic that people are comfortable discussing, and it naturally opens up opportunities for follow-up questions and deeper connections. In this post, we’ll explore the "O" for Occupation part of the FORD method (Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams). You’ll find useful questions, natural phrases, example dialogues, and tips to match the tone to every situation. Why Talking About Occupation Works Safe & Familiar: Most people are comfortable discussing their work. Opens Doors: Work often connects to other topics like interests, goals, or travel. Universal: No matter the culture, people work, study, or pursue careers. Occupation-Related Small Talk Questions Formal Settings: These work well in professional meetings, networking events, or conferences: “What line of work are you in?” “How did you get started in your field?” “What’s the ...
Read more