How to Answer “What are your weaknesses?” Job Interview Question

How to Answer “What are your weaknesses?” Job Interview Question

Learn more

Next page

How to Answer “What are your weaknesses?”

“What are your weaknesses?” How do you answer this question without making yourself look bad? Should you make something up? Do you even admit to having any weaknesses? Talking about your greatest weaknesses is a skill that needs to be learned because this question, regardless of how it’s asked, will almost always come up in your job interviews.

Next page

How to Answer “What are your weaknesses?”

In this post, we’ll outline tips and best practices on how to effectively answer one of these strategic interview questions without making yourself look bad and provide some sample answers to help you get started with your response.  

Next page

WHY DOES A HIRING MANAGER WANT TO KNOW YOUR WEAKNESSES?

Wouldn’t it be nice if hiring managers only wanted to know about all the skills you have and what you’re good at? Unfortunately, that’s not reality. Interviewers want to know your greatest weakness — or list of weaknesses — so they can get a complete picture of who you are.

Next page

WHY DOES A HIRING MANAGER WANT TO KNOW YOUR WEAKNESSES?

After all, they’ll typically only get 30 minutes to an hour to talk with you, so they’re going to want to leave their short time with you with a better understanding of both your strengths and weaknesses. Once they gather more insight on your strengths and weaknesses, they can better assess if you’re the ideal candidate for the open position.

Next page

WHY DOES A HIRING MANAGER WANT TO KNOW YOUR WEAKNESSES?

It’s important to keep in mind that hiring managers aren’t trying to make you talk down on yourself, they’re instead trying to get a better idea of your self-awareness and an honest evaluation of your professional life.

Next page

ALTERNATIVE QUESTIONS

While most job seekers will be asked about their greatest weaknesses, there are some interviewers who have ditched the “what are your weaknesses?” question altogether or have replaced it with alternative questions that allow you to demonstrate self-awareness. Some alternative questions you may encounter include:

Next page

ALTERNATIVE QUESTIONS

– How do you bounce back from failures? – What are areas you need to improve in? – Can you rate your ability to do this skill? – What are you doing on a workday that leaves you feeling tired and drained?

Next page

ALTERNATIVE QUESTIONS

All of these questions allow you to still demonstrate your awareness of weaknesses and areas for growth without having to blatantly state exactly what they are.

Next page

HOW TO ANSWER “WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?” JOB INTERVIEW QUESTION

Now that you know why hiring managers want to know about your list of weaknesses, let’s get into how you should talk about yours during the interview and provide some sample answers. But before we go over our tips on how to answer, it’s important to remember that all your interviewer is really looking for is an answer that includes humility, 

Next page

HOW TO ANSWER “WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?” JOB INTERVIEW QUESTION

self-reflection, and demonstrates self-awareness. They’ll also consider how your weaknesses will balance out with the rest of the team and what areas they can help you in if you’re hired. Lastly, know that there is no wrong answer to this question.

Next page

HOW TO ANSWER “WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?” JOB INTERVIEW QUESTION

There are, however, a few basic guidelines you should follow to answer this interview question effectively. Let’s go over them.

Next page

AVOID RED FLAGS

While there is not necessarily a wrong way to answer “what are your weaknesses?” there are definitely some red flags you’ll want to avoid if you want your answer to be taken seriously. First: Don’t list a weakness that is specific only to the position for which you’re interviewing.

Next page

AVOID RED FLAGS

For example, don’t say “I’m new to web design and I’ve never had formal training” if the job you’re interviewing for is web design. Similarly, don’t say “I’m not good at public speaking” if the interview is about a position that doesn’t include public speaking.

Next page

AVOID RED FLAGS

Second: Don’t list something unrelated to the job description or company culture. If you’re only applying to companies that are known for their family-like work culture, don’t list the fact that you “really don’t like staying late at work” or “always leave when my shift is over.”

Next page

AVOID RED FLAGS

Third: Avoid Obvious Answers It’s easy to give an obvious answer like, “I tend to procrastinate,” or “I’m not very good with computers.” Hiring managers are looking for more than that. When you answer the question, they want to know what pushes you to make changes in your life instead of continuing with “bad” habits.

Next page

AVOID RED FLAGS

They also want to see how self-aware you are about yourself and your weaknesses. After all, if you don’t understand why you’re procrastinating or why you’re not good with technology, you’ll have a difficult time staying motivated and overcoming these issues.

Next page

AVOID RED FLAGS

Your answer should be honest, specific to the position and company culture, and demonstrate self-awareness on your part about your areas of improvement. The best way to do that is by focusing on what pushed you towards improving yourself in the past.

Next page

BE HONEST

Everyone has a weakness. When you say you “don’t have any weaknesses,” you’re not being honest with yourself about your own flaws. But it’s also important to avoid exaggerating what you perceive as a weakness.  

Next page

BE HONEST

Yes, stating that you are “too dedicated” or “obnoxiously competitive” may make for an interesting answer, but your hiring manager is aware of these limitations too. He or she knows that everyone has strengths and weaknesses – and that you’re not going to be perfect in everything you do.

Next page

BE HONEST

Hiring managers are looking for someone who will be truthful when they make mistakes or need help in certain areas. So instead of saying you don’t have any weaknesses or over exaggerating your flaws, you can follow a simple two-step formula to effectively answer this question.

Next page

A SIMPLE TWO-STEP FORMULA

Now that you know some do’s and don’ts on how to answer “what are your weaknesses?” you can use this simple two-step formula to complete your answer. The first step is to give your honest answer (like we mentioned earlier, it’s perfectly normal to have some flaws).

Next page

A SIMPLE TWO-STEP FORMULA

The second step is to focus on what pushes you towards self-improvement and use specific examples of how your experience with your weaknesses helps you better yourself in the future. For example, if a hiring manager asks you what your biggest flaw is and you respond by saying that you “suck at time management,” 

Next page

A SIMPLE TWO-STEP FORMULA

this isn’t going to give him or her much insight into how well you understand why you struggle. They want to know what actually happened and how you changed your habits as a result. A better answer would be something like, “I used to stare at a computer screen for hours and feel really overwhelmed at the end of the day because I hadn’t gotten anything done.

Next page

A SIMPLE TWO-STEP FORMULA

They want to know what actually happened and how you changed your habits as a result. A better answer would be something like, “I used to stare at a computer screen for hours and feel really overwhelmed at the end of the day because I hadn’t gotten anything done.

Next page

A SIMPLE TWO-STEP FORMULA

Then, I took a class on effective time management and discovered how taking short breaks every hour and setting small deadlines for myself helped me get more done in less time.” This answer is thoughtful and lets the interviewer know why it’s important for you to improve in this area so you can be more productive during the workday.

Next page

A SIMPLE TWO-STEP FORMULA

The key is to take the time to understand why you might not be good at something, what techniques have worked for you in the past, and how those experiences motivate you going forward. This simple two-step formula gives your interviewer a well-rounded answer to a tough question and takes the pressure off you.

Next page

EXAMPLES OF WEAKNESSES FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

If you find yourself having trouble thinking of weaknesses to say in a job interview, you’re still in luck. From sharpening your writing skills to becoming more detail oriented to improving your public speaking, we’ve complied a handful of examples for you to draw from and can use in your own interview.

Next page

EXAMPLES OF WEAKNESSES FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

Remember to use examples that are relevant to the job description and company culture, so you can easily transition into talking about how these shortcomings have motivated you to improve your strengths. Here are a few examples of weaknesses that could work well in an interview setting:

Next page

HARD SKILLS

Hard skills, or technical skills, are abilities that you use at work, like typing quickly or balancing a budget. Other examples of hard skills include computer skills, software programs, creative writing skills, math skills, financial literacy, and coding languages.

Next page

HARD SKILLS

If you’re applying for a position in the medical field, your biggest weakness could be that you’re not as familiar with the latest medical tests. Once you’ve been hired for the job, though, this can easily be an opportunity to show how driven and determined you are by reading up on your new responsibilities and working closely with your supervisor to catch up.

Next page

HARD SKILLS

This example shows an interviewer that yes, it’s true you’re not as familiar with these specific skills, but that you’re willing to learn and improve your overall knowledge. Example answer: “One of my biggest weaknesses is that I’m not very familiar with some of the new medical tests or procedures.

Next page

HARD SKILLS

But I am a very hard worker and I’m really driven to learn new things on my own. In my previous job, I often shadowed doctors to learn how certain procedures are performed. I think that this experience really helped me improve my knowledge, and I’m looking forward to doing the same thing here.”

Next page

SOFT SKILLS

Soft skills, or interpersonal skills, are the character or personality traits that refer to how you work with others in a group setting or workplace environment. They help you fit into the corporate culture, gel with your co-workers, and create long-term relationships with clients or patients.

Next page

SOFT SKILLS

Examples of soft skills include communication skills, time management skills, problem-solving abilities, collaboration strategies, leadership skills, organization skills, empathy towards others, and enthusiasm for your work. For example, if you’re applying to be an accounting analyst at an investment management bank, 

Next page

SOFT SKILLS

you might say that one of your biggest weaknesses is that you struggle with patience around others. This can easily be transformed into an opportunity to showcase how understanding, open-minded, and empathetic you are by talking about a time when you had to deal with a difficult co-worker and what strategies you used to work together more productively.

Next page

SOFT SKILLS

Example answer: “I sometimes struggle with patience around other people, whether that’s a slow cashier at the grocery store or when my co-workers make silly mistakes when we’re in crunch time. I’ve found that it’s important to take a deep breath and ask questions before I jump to conclusions.

Next page

SOFT SKILLS

When I was working at [company name], we had a difficult co-worker that we all had to work with. Instead of ignoring the problem, I brought it up in our weekly meeting and suggested some strategies for us to use to communicate better and get our work done more efficiently. I think that this made a huge difference, and I really feel like we all improved as a team because of it.”

Next page

WORK ETHIC

The first item to note here is that you don’t want to tell your interviewer that you have a bad work ethic. No one wants to hire someone who doesn’t work hard. However, if you’re applying for a job that requires certain physical abilities, you can always say that your biggest weakness is that you are not as strong or athletic as other people.

Next page

WORK ETHIC

This could be translated into an opportunity to show how determined and hardworking you are by talking about how this has motivated you to train more strenuously or become involved in competitive sports. Example answer: “I’m not as strong or athletic as other people, so certain physical jobs can be difficult for me if I don’t train properly.

Next page

WORK ETHIC

At my previous job at [company name], we had to move product from the loading dock to store shelves. It was definitely a challenge, but it always motivated me to work harder and improve my endurance. I started picking up extra shifts to improve my stamina and sometimes even went to the gym during my lunch hour.

Next page

WORK ETHIC

I think that this really helped me improve as a worker and I’m excited to take those skills here.”

Next page

LEADERSHIP

If you’re applying for a leadership role, it’s important to provide a few examples that show you’re a good team leader and can advocate for your team member’s needs. No natural leader is perfect, and it isn’t a bad thing to acknowledge some areas where you can improve.

Next page

LEADERSHIP

This could easily become an opportunity to show off your leadership qualities by explaining how you have managed to overcome this obstacle and provide examples of your skills as a leader.

Next page

LEADERSHIP

For example, if you’re applying to be a project manager at an engineering firm, you might say that one of your biggest weaknesses is that you sometimes struggle with delegating tasks to others. Example answer: “I sometimes struggle with delegating tasks to others, but I’ve realized that it’s essential for growing a company or team.

Next page

LEADERSHIP

In my previous job at [company name], we had so many new staff members that I quickly got overwhelmed with managing everyone’s schedules, projects, etc. This made it harder for me to manage the whole team and get new projects completed on time. Since then, I’ve taken a lot of steps to improve my leadership.

Next page

LEADERSHIP

I’ve worked with different team members to create scheduling tools that make it easy for everyone to see what they’re working on and when. I also made sure to ask everybody for their ideas about how we can improve our workflow, which really helped them feel more involved in the company’s decisions.”

Next page

CONFLICTING INTERESTS

If you’re applying for a job that involves working with others outside of your company, it’s important to address any possible conflicting interests. This could be translated into an opportunity to show how good you are at resolving conflicts in the workplace and being fair in tough situations.

Next page

CONFLICTING INTERESTS

For example, if you’re applying to work in an advertising firm, you might say that sometimes your loyalties to different clients could come into conflict with each other. Example answer: “I think it’s essential for any company to consider all sides of an argument before making a decision, 

Next page

CONFLICTING INTERESTS

and this means considering the needs of their clients as well. Unfortunately, this created some issues in my previous job at [company name]. Different clients would sometimes have conflicting needs, which could put me and my team in an awkward position. My team and I learned how to handle these situations very professionally though.

Next page

CONFLICTING INTERESTS

We always found a way to balance everyone’s interests and come up with the best possible solution for our company. It’s a good thing to consider these conflicts before they arise. Therefore, I’m excited to apply all of my strong communication skills and resources from [previous job] toward the needs of your clients.”

Next page

3 ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF WEAKNESSES FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

In addition to the examples and sample answers mentioned above, here are three more relevant examples you can take from to help you prepare your own answer:

Next page

PROCRASTINATION

If you struggle with procrastination and have a history of missed deadlines, this could be a good answer: “I sometimes find it hard to start a project when it requires a lot of steps and deadlines. I often keep putting things off for later and in the end, the task gets pushed back so many times that it’s even harder to get started.

Next page

PROCRASTINATION

Since then, I’ve recognized this as an area where I can improve. I’ve started by breaking up the project into smaller tasks and setting deadlines for each one. Once I finish a task, it feels good to check it off my list and this keeps me motivated to keep working toward completing the whole project.”

Next page

PUBLIC SPEAKING

If your public speaking skills could use some work, try crafting a similar response: “I used to be really shy when I had to give presentations. I found it hard to look people in the eye and would usually just focus on one person at a time. Since then, I’ve worked with different team members to improve my communication skills.

Next page

PUBLIC SPEAKING

I taught myself how to keep looking at everyone during my presentation by practicing different eye contact techniques. In my previous job at [company name], I was able to give a presentation to all of the department heads and received some great feedback from them.”

Next page

ORGANIZATION

If you’re not detail oriented and need to improve your organizational skills, here is an example of a good response: “I used to struggle with keeping track of all the ongoing projects at my last job. Every time one of my team members asked me where something was, I felt so embarrassed because I didn’t have a good answer for them.

Next page

CONCLUSION

I realized that if I wanted to succeed in this career, organization is really important – it allows you to keep track of all your tasks and deadlines. Since then, I’ve looked for different options that will help me stay organized at work, like using a planner or an assistant. I’m really excited to use what I learned in my previous position toward developing more efficient systems for your company.”

Next page

CONCLUSION

Almost all job interviews come with a list of difficult questions, including the question, “what are your weaknesses?” But feeling uncomfortable in an interview is no reason to avoid it – you’re going to have to talk about both your strengths and weaknesses at some point.

Next page

CONCLUSION

In fact, these types of challenging questions are the best chance you’ll get at really standing out from your competition and proving that you’re worth hiring. To answer this question effectively, follow the simple two-step formula laid out in this post. First, think of an honest answer. (Remember, this is also a test of how self-aware you are).

Next page

CONCLUSION

Next, take a deep breath and think about all the things you’ve done that have pushed you toward self-improvement and helped you put your best foot forward. Make sure you give concrete examples of how you’ve worked on your weaknesses and what the results were.

Next page

CONCLUSION

Now that you know how to answer the “what are your weaknesses?” job interview question, it’s time to take on your next interview and land that job offer!

More

Read

10 New Job Fields for Women in 2022

10 Steps to a Resume That Will Get You Hired

10 Important Career Tips for Women

See More