Tell me one good reason why I should not give you this job?

disingenuity alert! you must camouflage a laurel as a liability.

GOOD IDEAS

Think of positive values that can be double-edged in excess: confidence, eagerness, bunny-rabbit-enthusiasm, fastidiousness, perfectionism.

Portray yourself as someone who aspires to a very high standard, but who has insight and self-awareness about this.

Change is the currency I usually call upon for this chestnut. I embrace betterment, and I work actively towards it. Some work cultures have an anaphylactic reaction towards the introduction of change.

Be smart. You would be a bad choice for the job IF the local environment does not value the above attributes. Of course, you are quite certain they do…

NOT-SO-GOOD IDEAS

“I have really bad B.O. I’ve tried everything. I think it’s my follicles.” / “Well, no one else wants to. You’re my last chance.” / “No one else will work in this dump. I don’t think you should foist the job on me either.” / “What do you mean? You don’t want to give me the job? Are you guys wasting my time?” / “Well, you wouldn’t, if you had any sense. I’m too clever to give you reasons, though.”