Listed below are several strategies to help you effectively answer negative interview questions:

☛ Keep a positive attitude and respond to the question constructively

☛ Explain your answer in a way that portrays a positive result

☛ Focus on behaviors rather than personality traits when responding to weaknesses

☛ Refrain from repeating the negative word, such as weakness, back to the recruiter

☛ Speak with respect while talking about past employers

☛ Avoid sounding angry, defensive or hostile in your response

☛ Take a moment to think; do not lie or make up a fake situation

☛ Demonstrate awareness of the negative situation and show you are working to improve or minimize the issue

☛ Take responsibility for a mistake, as employers are looking for accountability

☛ Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, and result) to be efficient and accurate with your responses