how to answer what is your weakness job interview

So, you've finally got your foot in the door at your dream company. You've submitted the perfect resume and made a lasting impression during the telephone screen. All in that location's left to practise now is to win over the hiring manager in the contiguous interview.

As a well-informed candidate, y'all're doing your research on the company and preparing your answers to the most important interview questions yous can think of — the most notorious of them all beingness: "What is your greatest weakness?"

You don't desire to respond, "I tend to piece of work too difficult," or "I am too much of a perfectionist." That can easily come up across as scripted and insincere at best and lacking in self-awareness at worst.

Alternatively, you don't want to respond with weaknesses that will prevent y'all from succeeding in the office. For instance, if you're applying to exist a project managing director, you don't want to acknowledge that y'all're "not very proficient with time direction."

Fortunately, there are means to reply this question that will assist you demonstrate your value every bit a candidate. Here, we've cultivated some incredible answers to the mainstay, "What is your greatest weakness" question — and don't worry, these answers aren't "perfectionism".

How to reply What are your greatest weaknesses?

1. Choose a weakness that will not prevent you from succeeding in the role.
2. Be honest and choose a real weakness.
3. Provide an case of how you've worked to improve upon your weakness or larn a new skill to combat the result.
4. Demonstrate self-awareness and an ability to await to others to provide you lot with the resources necessary for growth.
5. Don't be arrogant and don't underestimate yourself.

ane. Cull a weakness that will not prevent you from succeeding in the role.

When an interviewer asks, "What is your greatest weakness?" they want to detect out:

• Whether you have a healthy level of cocky-awareness
• Whether you tin can be open and honest, especially about shortcomings
• Whether you lot pursue self-improvement and growth opportunities to combat these issues, every bit opposed to letting these weaknesses concur you lot back

Ultimately, yous'll want to utilise this question to demonstrate how you've used a weakness as motivation to learn a new skill or grow professionally. Everyone has weaknesses — your interviewer doesn't expect y'all to be perfect.

If you lot're applying for a copywriting position with little necessity for math skills, you might admit, "I struggle with numbers, and don't have much experience with data analytics. While math is not straight tied to my role as a writer, I believe information technology'due south important to have a rudimentary agreement of Google Analytics to ensure my work is performing well. To tackle this weakness, I've been taking online courses in data analytics."

An answer like this shows the hiring managing director that yous recognize your areas for growth and are able to deed on them without existence told to practice so. This kind of cocky-starter attitude is a plus for virtually any team.

2. Exist honest and choose a real weakness.

The respond "perfectionism" won't cutting it when talking almost your biggest weakness considering it's not a real weakness. Perfectionism can never be attained — it's a fearfulness-based blueprint that leads to brusk-term rewards like getting the job done early and exceeding expectations. However, in the long-term, trying to attain perfectionism leads to burnout, low-quality work, and missed deadlines. Exhaustion is one of the biggest contributors to decreased productivity, turnover, and low employee engagement — all of which cost a visitor coin, fourth dimension, and talent.

Instead, choose a real weakness. Underneath the desire to do perfect piece of work may prevarication a weakness of trust. Mayhap you don't trust that you'll be able to make mistakes on the team, so you strive to do everything perfectly. That's a existent weakness that you lot can definitely overcome.

3. Provide an instance of how you've worked to amend upon your weakness or larn a new skill to gainsay the issue.

Hiring managers don't expect yous to overcome your weaknesses completely overnight. Everyone has areas they must constantly work on to continue them abrupt. Think of it this mode — if yous've defended six months to working out, you won't be able to finish 1 day and maintain your progress. It's an ongoing process that yous accept to work at.

4. Think about weaknesses in your ain personal life.

If you humanize yourself in the interview, it'll allow your interviewer to connect and visualize working with y'all in the hereafter. Information technology's not just about weaknesses that pertain to the job. For example, if you are an introvert and yous notice your preference for quiet time stops you from taking risks, this is a relatable weakness. When you demonstrate your self-awareness this way, it shows you understand that self-improvement correlates to work performance.

five. Retrieve of where you'd similar to be and what support you need to become in that location.

Overall, growth is a office of life. Call back about people you look up to that may be related to the field that you're in. Ask yourself what grapheme traits those people have and what work you might demand to do in order to get there. By providing an instance of how you lot're working to ameliorate your area of weakness, you'll give the interviewer a glimpse into a few positive attributes nearly your awareness, including that:

• You know how to place and mitigate problems that come up up.
• You've found a helpful solution to a problem that you and perhaps others on the squad face, which means you can be an firsthand resource to the squad.

• Y'all demonstrate self-awareness and an power to accept feedback from others.

More than often than not, yous're going to need to look outside of yourself to overcome a weakness. Whether you wait to your supervisor, the HubSpot Blog, or a mentor for aid, the unproblematic human activity of seeking aid demonstrates cocky-awareness and resourcefulness — two skills that are hard to teach, just valuable to acquire. Tapping into your resource shows the interviewers that you tin solve problems when the reply is non withal clear. That's a grapheme trait that has a identify on any team.

Briefly share an instance of a time when yous asked someone for assist in an area that you've identified every bit a weakness. This gives the hiring team a clear picture of how you lot'll work with the team to balance out that weakness.

6. Don't be big-headed and don't underestimate yourself.

The near important thing you tin can practise when responding to the question "What is your greatest weakness?" is showroom conviction in your answer. (If lack of conviction is your weakness, go on reading.) Even if you lot're not the most confident person, I'm going to presume you're at least honest with yourself. If yous've identified an area of weakness and you're sure most it, let that assurance smooth through in your answer. There's no need to feel embarrassed about something you lot're genuinely not practiced at as long every bit you're working to get better.

Before you start expressing a genuine weakness to your interviewer, go comfortable with the types of answers that make hiring managers desire to work with you. Have a expect at the following examples and find a few that fit your personality and work fashion. So, practice reciting them aloud so they come naturally to you.

Prepare? Here are examples of how you might answer "What is your greatest weakness?" and why they work.

Listing of Weaknesses for Job Interview

1. Lack of Patience
2. Lack of Organization
3. Trouble with Delegation
4. Timidity
5. Lack of Tactfulness
6. Fear of Public Speaking
7. Weak Information Analysis Skills
8. Indecisiveness
9. Harsh Self-Criticism
10. Micromanaging
11. Talkative
12. Problem with Work-Life Residuum

1. Lack of Patience

Sample Respond:

"I don't have much patience when working with a team — I am incredibly cocky-sufficient, so it's hard when I need to rely on others to complete my work. That's why I've pursued roles that require someone to piece of work independently. Nonetheless, I've also worked to improve this weakness by enrolling in team-building workshops. While I typically work independently, it'southward important I learn how to trust my coworkers and ask for outside aid when necessary."

This respond works considering the weakness — the inability to be patient when working with a squad — doesn't hinder your ability to perform well in the function, since it'south a job that doesn't rely on teamwork to succeed. Additionally, y'all display an eagerness to develop strategies to combat your weakness, which is a critical skill in the workplace.

ii. Lack of Organization

Sample Answer:

" I struggle with organization. While information technology hasn't always impacted my functioning, I've noticed my messy desk and cluttered inbox still interfere with my efficiency. Over time, I've learned to set aside time to organize my concrete and digital space, and I've seen it improve my efficiency levels throughout the week."

Plenty of people have messy desks. This answer works considering it's a relatable and fixable weakness. You note that disorganization doesn't interfere with your ability to do your task, which is critical, but you also admit information technology might make yous less efficient. To ensure you're performing at 100%, you lot mention personal steps yous've taken to improve your system skills for the sake of self-improvement alone, which suggests a level of maturity and cocky-awareness.

3. Problem with Delegation

Sample Answer:

"I sometimes discover it difficult to delegate responsibleness when I experience I can finish the task well myself. Nonetheless, when I became manager in my last office, it became disquisitional I larn to delegate tasks. To maintain a sense of control when delegating tasks, I implemented a project management system to oversee the progress of a projection. This system enabled me to improve my ability to consul efficiently."

This answer allows y'all to demonstrate an power to pursue a new skill when a role calls for it and suggests yous're capable of flexibility, which is critical for long-term growth. Additionally, you are able to showcase a level of initiative and leadership when yous mention the successful implementation of a new process that enabled you to succeed in your past role, despite your weakness.

4. Timidity

Sample Respond:

"Oftentimes, I can be timid when providing constructive feedback to coworkers or managers, out of fear of pain someone's feelings. However, in my final role, my coworker asked me to edit some of his pieces and provide feedback for areas of improvement. Through my feel with him, I realized feedback tin be both helpful and kind when delivered the right way. Since so, I've become better at offer feedback, and I've realized that I can use empathy to provide thoughtful, productive feedback."

This answer works because you've explained how you were able to turn a weakness into a strength through real-world experience. Typically, timidity can be seen as a flaw in the workplace, particularly if a role requires someone to provide feedback to others. In this case, you're able to demonstrate how timidity tin can be used as a strength, through thoughtful reflection and practice.

5. Lack of Tactfulness

Sample Answer:

"My blunt, straightforward nature has allowed me to succeed over the years as a team director, because I'm able to become things done efficiently, and people oft appreciate my honesty. However, I've recognized my bluntness doesn't e'er serve my employees well when I'thousand delivering feedback. To combat this, I've worked to develop empathy and deeper relationships with those I manage. Additionally, I took an online leadership management course, and worked with the professor to develop my ability to deliver feedback."

Oft, facets of our personalities can assist united states in sure areas of our work, while hindering u.s.a. in others. That's natural. However, you must demonstrate an ability to recognize when your personality interferes with the functions of your function, and how you can solve for that.

In this instance, yous first explicate how your blunt nature allows you to be successful in certain situations. So, you mention that yous empathise your bluntness can be seen as a lack of empathy and provide examples of how you've attempted to solve this consequence. Ultimately, your awareness of how you might be perceived past others shows a level of emotional intelligence, which is a critical asset for a team leader.

6. Fear of Public Speaking

Sample Answer:

"Public speaking makes me nervous. While I don't demand to do much public speaking in my office as a web designer, I still feel that it's an of import skill — especially when I want to offer my opinion during a meeting. To combat this, I spoke with my director and she recommended I speak at each team meeting for a few minutes about our project timeline, deadlines, and goals when developing a website for a customer. This practise has enabled me to relax and see public speaking as an opportunity to help my squad members practice their jobs effectively."

In this example, you mention a skill that isn't applicable to the part, but one which you nonetheless have been working to improve. This shows your want to come across more business needs than necessary in your current role, which is beauteous. Additionally, it's impressive if y'all can show y'all're willing to reach out to your managing director with areas in which you want to improve, instead of waiting for your manager to suggest those areas of improvement to you. It demonstrates a level of ambition and professional maturity.

7. Weak Information Analysis Skills

Sample Respond:

"I'one thousand not great at analyzing data or numbers. However, I recognize this flaw tin can forbid me from understanding how my content is performing online. In my last role, I gear up monthly meetings with the SEO director to discuss analytics and how our posts were performing. Additionally, I received my Google Analytics document, and I arrive a point to analyze data related to our weblog regularly. I've become much more comfortable analyzing data through these efforts."

In this example, y'all're able to show your desire to become above and beyond a chore description and actively seek out skills that could be helpful to the success of your visitor as a whole. This type of company-first mentality shows the interviewer you're dedicated to making yourself a valuable asset, and try your best to understand the needs of the whole department, rather than but your part.

8. Indecisiveness

Sample Answer:

"Sometimes I struggle with ambiguity and making decisions when directions aren't clear. I come from a work environment that always gave clear and straight instructions. I had such a strong team and leadership that I haven't had much practice making decisions in the heat of the moment. I'm working on this by leaning more than into my experience and practicing listening to my gut."

This reply works considering you're demonstrating that you can both follow a leader and acuminate your leadership skills. It's alright to not know what to exercise in the moment. Admitting that you relied on strong leadership shows that you lot can be a follower when needed, but knowing when to stride up is important, too. With this answer, yous're showing that yous'll step up if a state of affairs calls for decisiveness.

ix. Harsh Cocky-Criticism

Sample Answer:

"My inner critic tin be debilitating at times. I accept pride in producing practiced work, but I feel like I struggle feeling satisfied with it, which has led to exhaustion in the past. However, I've started to push back confronting this inner voice by taking care of myself before and after work. I'm also learning to recognize when my inner critic is correct and when I demand to dismiss it."

This answer works because your interviewer may relate; we all take harsh inner critics. It'south also effective because one) Information technology shows that yous're willing to work on your weaknesses outside of work, not just during business hours, and two) Information technology demonstrates your inner critic may have valid points. Discerning when to dismiss it is central to preclude burnout and increase productivity. Realizing how the inner critic may inhibit good work ethic demonstrates your willingness to abound and exist an effective worker.

10. Micromanaging

Sample Reply:

"I used to work in industries where I had to cultivate a solid piece of work ethic in my employees. This mode of training has been so ingrained in me that I've forgotten to discern who may demand that coaching and who does non. I've been reading books on constructive delegation and squad building to piece of work on this shortcoming. One technique that works for me is assuring myself that if I establish clear expectations, and so my team will follow. I've as well learned to trust my squad members."

This respond works all-time if you've been in a leadership position earlier and are applying to a managerial function. All the same, you can still employ it to past experiences where you did have to show leadership. This answer shows that while you may exist used to running your crew or team a specific manner, you're willing to admit when your method isn't the most effective. Showing your flexibility demonstrates your ability to abound.

11. Talkative

Sample Respond:

"I savour developing a relationship with my coworkers by engaging in conversation, and that'south a nifty squad-building skill. Yet, I have a habit of carrying on a conversation to a point where it may distract other coworkers. I have learned since then that there are other ways to connect with my coworkers, and that if I'chiliad asking near their day, I need to continue it brief and redirect myself back to my piece of work. "This answer works because it shows you're aware of how your talkative tendencies may be distracting in the workplace. It takes a lot of courage to admit that. It besides shows you are willing to develop a relationship with coworkers just not at the cost of productivity.

12. Trouble Maintaining a Piece of work-Life Balance

Sample Answer:

"I've struggled with work-life balance, peculiarly later I started working remotely during the pandemic. This increased my stress levels to the bespeak where my productivity was at an all-fourth dimension low and I didn't bring my best self to work. Considering I desire to continue working remotely, I've started calculation more structure to my solar day and instituted a abrupt start and end time. I've already seen improvements in my levels of focus during work hours."

At beginning, this might seem like a "strength" weakness — pouring yourself into work is great, right? That ways you lot dear your job. But if it impacts your productivity and your relationships with coworkers, that is not so slap-up. This reply works because information technology doesn't just say, "I work a lot, then my habitation life suffers." It says, "I piece of work a lot to the signal of burnout, and I've realized that I need to construction my day." If yous've struggled with work-life balance issues in the past, it's of import to state how you're restoring that balance and how information technology has impacted your work.

There'south Strength In Every Weakness

Regardless of whether you're bad with numbers or you tend not to speak upwards in grouping settings, there's a forcefulness backside every weakness. The forcefulness is in how yous work to overcome information technology. Leaning on your teammates who excel in those areas is a great way to show that you'll work well on the team and that you lot know how to utilize your resource to solve problems. Taking professional development courses shows that you're willing to work toward improvement. No matter which of these answers you share with the hiring team, they'll exist more than than happy to help yous grow and exceed the expectations of the role.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in December 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

 

Originally published December 14, 2021 7:00:00 AM, updated March 09 2022

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Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/what-is-your-greatest-weakness

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