This answer works because the weakness itself -- inability to be patient when working with a team -- doesn't hinder your ability to perform well in the role, which doesn't rely on teamwork to succeed. Jot your answer down on a notebook or on your phone and read it out loud. In other words, you want to mention a skill or trait that is not critical to the position you are interviewing for. One approach to answering this question is to analyze the key skills and strengths required for the position you are interviewing for and then come up with an honest shortcoming that is not essential for success in that job. ", What are your strengths and weaknesses? Your own answer will look different, but let's dissect what makes this one work. Pick a weakness that is acceptable for the job at hand Be aware of the job requirements and don’t cite a weakness related to any of the required skills or desired qualities. Regardless of what you say, it is critical to indicate that you are mindful of this trait and capable of preventing it from interfering with your productivity. Don't be arrogant, but alternatively, don't underestimate yourself or show lack of confidence when you answer. Another option for answering is to turn a negative into a positive. Ultimately what you’re aiming to do is to reassure the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. Another option is to discuss skills that you have improved upon during your previous job or that you are actively working on improving. While I typically work independently, it's nonetheless important I learn how to trust my coworkers and ask for outside help when necessary.". However, I've also worked to improve this weakness by enrolling in team building workshops. Here are our seventeen best examples of answers to the common interview question asking about your weakness. You always want to focus on the positive when interviewing. So, this question is an opportunity to show that you’ve got the right assets for the job. An important part of your "what are your weaknesses" answer is showing self-improvement. Get comfortable with hearing yourself talk about your weakness. Additionally, you are able to showcase a level of initiative and leadership when you mention the successful implementation of a new process that enabled you to succeed in your past role, despite your personal weakness. Why It Works: The candidate is mentioning a weakness and showing how he solved the problem. To ensure you're performing at 100 percent, you mention personal steps you've taken to improve your organization skills for the sake of self-improvement alone, which suggests a level of maturity and self-awareness. Why It Works: This response features a weakness that isn't critical for success at this job. Additionally, I took an online leadership management course, and worked with the professor to develop my ability to deliver feedback.". Sometimes, this can turn into a tendency to perfectionism. The Best Way to Answer: What is Your Greatest Weakness? It’s certainly tricky, but it can be done. Provide an example for how you've worked to improve your area of weakness, or learn a new skill to combat the issue. You don’t want the interviewer to perceive you as a candidate who isn’t qualified. This shows the interviewer that you’re committed to self-improvement. It also shows how the candidate has improved and upgraded her skills. In this case, you're able to demonstrate how timidity can be used as a strength, through thoughtful reflection and practice. The best answer to the job interview question "What is your Weakness?" Be Careful How You Respond: Keep in mind that how you frame your answer to job interview questions about weaknesses is as important as what you say. If you use this strategy, be sure not to mention anything that you improved upon that would be critical to the position for which you are interviewing, as you don't want your qualifications for the job to be questioned. Undoubtedly, these answers will come across as both insincere, and lacking true self-awareness. Click Here To Get The Greatest Weakness Cheat Sheet! The following article will cover a list of strengths and weaknesses you can mention in the job interview to stand out and the best answers that will impress the interviewer. That context will give potential employers insight into your level of self-awareness and commitment to professional growth. This answer works because the weakness itself -- inability to be patient when working with a team -- doesn't hinder your ability to perform well in the role, which doesn't rely on teamwork to succeed. Although I've never missed a deadline, it is still an effort for me to know when to move on to the next task and to be confident when assigning others work. Answer honestly with a genuine weakness Making up a weakness or lying in the interview doesn’t work too well for most job seekers and can put you in a difficult spot. Why It Works: The candidate’s response shows that he established time management skills that enable him to effectively do the job. How do you do that? Additionally, it's impressive if you can show you're willing to reach out to your manager 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. You may have noticed that the term "weakness" isn't used in the sample answers. 7. Your weaknesses are social media management, graphic design and planning promotional events. Surely we all have weaknesses. In this example, you're able to show your desire to go above-and-beyond a job description, and actively seek out skills that could be helpful to the success of your company as a whole. Your answer to the interview question “What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses” should align with what the company is looking for in a candidate and demonstrate your potential value as an employee using clear examples of self-improvement. Be honest. You can mention skills that aren't critical for the job, discuss skills you have improved on, or turn a negative into a positive. You want to make sure your answer shows them that your strengths are in line with what the company needs and is looking for. 2. Alternatively, you don't want to respond with weaknesses that will prevent you from succeeding in the role. I have a very strong attention to detail. Of all the questions that you are likely to be asked in an interview, this is not one where you want to risk coming across as disingenuous. This answer works because you've explained how you were able to turn a weakness into a strength through real-world experience. One of the most popular interview questions is, " What is your greatest weakness? " Over time, I’ve learned that keeping a clean workspace—both physically, and digitally—does support my ability to focus and enhance the efficiency of my workflow. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. I have two greatest weaknesses. Let’s have a look at the answers. List of Strengths & Weaknesses + Professional Answers. which is often preceded or followed by, " What is your greatest strength? Each answer is intended for a specific situation and job. However, since I do communicate quite frequently with the sales team, I felt it might benefit me to have a greater understanding of their strategies and tactics. However, it's critical you avoid mentioning weaknesses that will prevent you from performing well in the role. 3. It is also important to concentrate on a weakness that would not make you appear as someone unable to carry out a teaching assistant job (for example, saying that your main weakness is … ", it's important not to mention a real weakness. Turn a negative into a positive. How to discuss strengths and weaknesses in a job interview, questions you may be asked, examples of the best answers, and lists of strengths and weaknesses. ", Option 2: Mention Skills You Have Improved, Option 3: Turn a Negative Into a Positive, Answering Job Interview Questions About Strengths and Weaknesses, How to Answer Job Interview Questions About Pet Peeves, Tips for Answering Interview Questions About Your Weaknesses, Best Ways to Answer Interview Questions About Strengths, Anwsering Interview Questions About Strengths and Job Performance, Best Answers for the Most Common Job Interview Questions, Sample Sales Interview Answers About Strengths and Weaknesses, How to Describe Your Work Pace During a Job Interview, 12 of the Toughest Interview Questions With Answers, Job Interview Question: 'What Do You Hope to Accomplish Here? 6. It’s important that your answer be authentic and tailored to your own circumstances. Here are three suggestions: Emphasize the positive, avoiding negative words like failure or inept. I’ve since learned to slow down, be more patient, and give each project the careful attention it deserves. Review more examples of answers to help you frame your own response. If you struggle to do so, however, you can find below some sample answers. In my last role, I set up monthly meetings with the SEO manager to discuss analytics and how our posts were performing. ", How to Answer "What is Your Greatest Weakness? The interviewers are smart people who can see through such charades. strengths. No you shouldn’t. -- That Aren't "Perfectionism", Recruiters Reveal the 7 Best Fonts for Your Resume in 2020, The 30-60-90 Day Plan: Your Guide for Mastering a New Job [Template + Example], Whether you have a healthy level of self-awareness, Whether you can be open and honest, particularly about shortcomings, Whether you pursue self-improvement and growth opportunities to combat these issues, as opposed to letting these weaknesses hold you back. How to answer “What is your greatest weakness?” Bearing these things in mind, the first thing you’ll need to do when preparing this answer is to come up with a genuine weakness. Best answer: Think about a "hard skill" weakness you have recently overcome or are in the process of overcoming, and use that as your first answer, but do be prepared with two additional weaknesses. If you’re an accountant, don’t talk about hating math or lack of attention to detail. ", Alternatively, if you'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. Put some thought into the weakness method you choose, and the answer that you give to the employer. Additionally, you display an eagerness to develop strategies to combat your weakness, which is a critical skill in the workplace. While I don't need to do much public speaking in my role as web designer, I nonetheless feel it's an important skill to know when I want to offer my opinion during a meeting. When I'm working on a project, I don't just want to meet deadlines. Frame your response in a positive manner so that whatever you portrayed as needing improvement is seen as an accomplishment rather than a weakness. Follow this answer with an example, such as:When I was a junior web de… In an ideal case, you should follow the guide I just outlined. In my recent position, I implemented a project management tool that allowed me to easily oversee the progress of all the tasks I assigned. I focus too much on the details. Show the Hiring Manager How You’ve Overcome Past Weaknesses Use a business analogy and give specific examples of you overcoming past weaknesses to your hiring manager. Likewise, if you’re applying for a position as a writer, you could focus on a skill that isn’t required for the job, as in the example below. from a former CEO.This is one of the toughest job interview questions to answer. 5. Even though the question is about weaknesses, your answer should always be framed around the positive aspects of your skills and abilities as an employee. For instance, if you're applying to be a project manager, you don't want to admit,"I'm not very good with time management.". Don’t go overboard. Image by Theresa Chiechi © The Balance 2019. Demonstrate self-awareness and an ability to look to others to provide you with the resources necessary for growth. Each answer is intended for a specific situation and job. Why It Works: This response shows the candidate’s successful shift from working on one task at a time to multitasking. Sometimes I spend more time than necessary on a task or take on tasks that could easily be delegated to someone else. One area I improved on in the past is my salesmanship skills. Of course, telling about that kind of weakness is an unwise thing to do. What is Your Greatest Weakness? Premium plans, Connect your favorite apps to HubSpot. This answer allows you to demonstrate an ability to pursue a new skill when a role calls for it, and suggests you're capable of flexibility, which is critical for long-term growth. Sample answers to “what are your weaknesses” interview question. In preparation for an interview, candidates should consider how best to answer this question so that the information is useful to employers while not damaging your chances of being hired. However, by presenting the symptoms, rather than just naming the affliction, you’ll sound much more sincere. While this means I never miss a deadline, it also means that sometimes I can find myself rushed when I’m working. Alison Doyle is the job search expert for The Balance Careers, and one of the industry's most highly-regarded job search and career experts. In preparation for an interview, candidates should consider how best to answer this question so that the information is useful to employers while not damaging your chances of being hired. Change In The Conversation: Human beings are wired to crave consistency, and recognize … The first is my inability to share responsibilities. If you’re in sales, don’t confess to being too reserved or lacking persistence. What's the best way to talk about weaknesses at job interviews? However, it's critical you demonstrate an ability to recognize when your personality interferes with the functions of your role, and how you solve for that. In most job interviews, candidates will be asked to describe their strengths and weaknesses. Make sure your answer is truthful, relevant to the position and company you’re applying for and accurate. For more information, check out our privacy policy. Generally speaking, you should prepare for these questions … Get past the "weakness" part of your answer as quickly as possible, so you can get back what's most important: your (many!) You should think about your weaknesses, and choose for your interview answer the weaknesses that are not essential for the job. It can help them assess whether your strengths and weakness will make you the right fit for your job, if your disposition will be a good fit with the team you’re working on and if you’ll fit into the company culture as a whole. I’m now much more proactive about scheduling meetings, and this allows me to plan and segment out my work for the week without having to guess at when I’ll need to leave time for meetings. It will help you when you’re in the hot seat. Put your weaknesses in a positive light. When explaining your greatest weakness, stick to the truth when answering the question. That’s by far the BEST way to answer “what is your greatest weakness?” or “what are your weaknesses?” in the interview. You’re here because you’re probably wondering how to best answer the dreaded weakness interview question and this guide is going to walk you through that and a whole lot more! Rehearse your response so that you can give it easily, and more importantly, concisely—if you spend too much time talking about your flaws, it's easy to dig yourself into a hole. In this example you mention a skill that isn't applicable to the role, but one which you nonetheless have been working to improve. Why It Works: This response shows that meeting deadlines and getting the work done accurately are both important. You should think about your weaknesses, and choose for your interview answer the weaknesses that are not essential for the job. While it hasn't ever impacted my performance, I've noticed my messy desk and cluttered inbox nonetheless could interfere with my efficiency. HubSpot uses the information you provide to us to contact you about our relevant content, products, and services. This handy (and FREE!!) Think about any mistakes you may have made at work or anything a manager has ever picked out as an area for improvement. Through my experience with him, I realized feedback can be both helpful and kind, when delivered the right way. I used to like to work on one project to its completion before starting on another, but I've learned to work on many projects at the same time, and I think doing so allows me to be more creative and effective in each one. How to Answer "What is Your Greatest Weakness?" Be honest. Discuss a weakness in your past that is somehow relevant to the position you’re applying for. Talk about how you’ve transformed your weakness into a strength. Begin your answer by talking about where you started and the steps you took to improve, and then highlight the outcome. One of the most common interview questions that most of us experienced or will experience at some point is “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”.. But before we get started you should download our free Greatest Weakness Cheat Sheet! -. How do you do that? "I struggle with organization. -, Describe a difficult work situation and how you overcame it. Be honest. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(53, '0883861a-7887-4f9f-ab4b-14e6341c1525', {}); When an interviewer asks "What is your greatest weakness", they want to find out: Ultimately, you'll want to use this question to demonstrate how you've used a weakness as motivation to learn a new skill or grow professionally. Fortunately, there are ways to answer this question that will help you demonstrate your value as a candidate. That's natural. Dissecting success There are four factors that make my greatest weakness interview answer come across as well-composed, thoughtful and an indicator that I am a good candidate for the job. I took a sales skills course online. Remember, the best answer will 1) mention your real weaknesses, and 2) show what you’re doing to correct them. 1. To tackle this weakness, I've been taking online courses in data analytics.". You should include details about the steps you’re taking to learn a skill or correct a weakness. Additionally, you display an eagerness to develop strategies to combat your weakness, which is a critical skill in the workplace. 3. Once you’ve established your weakness, craft a response to put it in the best positive light. Prepare a response. Being over-friendly to guests, or having bad computer skills or management skills is a great choice, unless you apply for a position of a restaurant manager. Many job seekers are looking for the best answer to ‘What is your greatest weakness?’ interview question because It is a dilemma: – If you have a weakness that could jeopardize your chance of getting hired, why should you reveal it? You can model your answer against any of them and be sure it will be effectively on the interviewer. This system enabled me to improve my ability to delegate efficiently.". When you’re asked about weaknesses, it's important to respond carefully. The hiring manager is also looking for indicators that show you’ve been able to learn new tasks and handle new challenges. When asked about your strengths, here's what a great answer might look like: In the past, I found this leading me to triple-check every item on a spreadsheet, closely proofread emails to ensure I’d communicated what I was trying to get across in a clear, concise way, or fiddle with the layout of a presentation to ensure that it was perfect. But if you write out a few ideas beforehand, it will be easier to answer the question during the interview. Free and premium plans, Content management system software. Here are three suggestions: Emphasize the positive, avoiding negative words like failure or inept. You get real questions, winning answers and expert advice – all specific to your target job, for just £59.95. To combat this, I spoke with my manager and she recommended I speak each team meeting for a few minutes about our project timeline, deadlines, and goals when developing a website for a client. We're committed to your privacy. Told right, your answer to this question can inspire the interviewer and give them an intimate picture into how you work. There’s no other way around it. Why It Works: The candidate is showing the interviewer that she has the time management skills to focus on a detail-oriented project. That's why I've pursued roles that require someone to work independently. There are several different ways to answer when you're asked during a job interview what your greatest weakness is. It’s important not to talk too much about your weaknesses or what you need to improve. I used to wait until the last minute to set appointments for the coming week, but I realized that scheduling in advance makes much more sense. @cforsey1, When an interviewer asks you, "What is your greatest weakness? Talk about how you’ve transformed your weakness into a strength. Told right, your answer to this question can inspire the interviewer and give them an intimate picture into how you work. Write a Response: You don’t need to memorize an answer. For example, if you're applying for a job in customer service, you do not want to mention that you "don't have great people skills." Job interviews can get personal very quickly. Here, we've cultivated seven incredible answers to the dreaded "What is your greatest weakness" question -- that aren't "perfectionism". In this example, you first explain how your blunt nature allows you to be successful in certain situations. No one’s perfect, and hiring managers know that. Talking about things that you don’t excel at can be tricky when you’re interviewing for a new job. In reality, it is pretty rare for a hiring manager to ask you them together as one question, but you still need to be prepared in case this question comes up. 17 Best Examples of Interview Answers to the “What are your Weaknesses?” Question. "My blunt, straightforward nature has allowed me to succeed over the years as a team manager, because I'm able to get things done efficiently, and people often appreciate my honesty. pdf contains word-for-word sample answers to this tricky question that you can use in your next interview! Everyone has weaknesses -- your interviewer doesn't expect you to be perfect. Why It Works: This response works well because it clearly shows how the candidate has improved upon the skills needed to do the job effectively. Free and premium plans, Sales CRM software. "I don't have much patience when working with a team -- I am incredibly self-sufficient, so it's difficult when I need to rely on others to complete my work. Interview Question: "What Is Your Greatest Weakness? However, when I became manager in my last role, it became critical I learn to delegate tasks. Then, you have to craft a response that puts those weaknesses in the best possible light. Numbers have not always been my strong suit. Here are 10 ways to respond without feeling fake. Since then I've become better at offering feedback, and I've realized that my empathy can be used to my advantage to provide thoughtful, productive feedback.". In most job interviews, candidates will be asked to describe their strengths and weaknesses. Don’t say that you’re perfect. Turn A Relevant Weakness Into A Positive This is always a good method to go with if the employer asks for a more relevant weakness. This course also helped me build upon the skills I use to "sell" my vision for the product internally. If you struggle to do so, however, you can find below some sample answers. “I tend to get caught up in the little details, which can distract me from the ultimate goal.”You might be a perfectionist, but your interviewer has heard this answer a billion times (and from plenty of people who aren’t actually perfectionists, I might add). For example, if you are applying for a nursing job, you might share that you are not particularly adept at conducting group presentations. ", you don't want to respond, "I tend to work too hard," or "I am too much of a perfectionist.". When preparing to answer this question, the main thing to remember is that when you ask yourself “what are my weaknesses?”, you should also be thinking about what you have done to address them.