What to Say as a Weakness in an Interview

So, you've finally got your pes in the door at your dream company. You've submitted the perfect resume and made a lasting impression during the telephone screen. All there'southward left to do now is to win over the hiring managing director in the contiguous interview.

As a well-informed candidate, you're doing your research on the company and preparing your answers to the most of import interview questions you tin call up of — the most notorious of them all beingness: "What is your greatest weakness?"

You don't want to respond, "I tend to work likewise hard," or "I am too much of a perfectionist." That can easily come up across every bit scripted and insincere at best and defective in cocky-awareness at worst.

Alternatively, you don't want to respond with weaknesses that will prevent yous from succeeding in the office. For case, if you lot're applying to be a project manager, you don't want to admit that you're "not very good with time management."

Fortunately, there are ways to answer this question that will help you demonstrate your value as 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 respond What are your greatest weaknesses?

1. Cull a weakness that volition not forbid y'all from succeeding in the office.
2. Be honest and choose a real weakness.
3. Provide an instance of how you've worked to improve upon your weakness or larn a new skill to combat the event.
4. Demonstrate cocky-awareness and an ability to look to others to provide y'all with the resources necessary for growth.
5. Don't exist arrogant and don't underestimate yourself.

i. Choose a weakness that volition not prevent you from succeeding in the role.

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

• Whether you take a healthy level of self-awareness
• Whether yous tin be open and honest, peculiarly about shortcomings
• Whether yous pursue self-improvement and growth opportunities to combat these issues, as opposed to letting these weaknesses concord you back

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

If you're applying for a copywriting position with piffling necessity for math skills, y'all might admit, "I struggle with numbers, and don't have much experience with data analytics. While math is non directly tied to my role as a author, I believe it'southward important to take a rudimentary understanding 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 manager that you recognize your areas for growth and are able to act on them without being told to practice then. This kind of self-starter attitude is a plus for well-nigh any squad.

2. Be honest and choose a existent weakness.

The answer "perfectionism" won't cut it when talking about your biggest weakness considering it'southward not a real weakness. Perfectionism can never exist attained — information technology's a fearfulness-based pattern that leads to short-term rewards like getting the task done early on and exceeding expectations. Nevertheless, in the long-term, trying to attain perfectionism leads to burnout, low-quality piece of work, and missed deadlines. Burnout is ane of the biggest contributors to decreased productivity, turnover, and low employee appointment — all of which price a company money, time, and talent.

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

three. Provide an instance of how y'all've worked to better upon your weakness or learn a new skill to combat the result.

Hiring managers don't expect yous to overcome your weaknesses completely overnight. Anybody has areas they must constantly work on to go on them sharp. Think of it this style — if you've dedicated half-dozen months to working out, you won't be able to end one day and maintain your progress. Information technology's an ongoing process that you have to work at.

4. Think about weaknesses in your ain personal life.

If y'all humanize yourself in the interview, information technology'll let your interviewer to connect and visualize working with y'all in the future. Information technology'due south not just about weaknesses that pertain to the job. For example, if you lot are an introvert and y'all discover your preference for placidity time stops you from taking risks, this is a relatable weakness. When you demonstrate your self-awareness this mode, it shows yous understand that self-comeback correlates to work functioning.

5. Think of where yous'd like to be and what support you need to get there.

Overall, growth is a role of life. Think about people you look up to that may be related to the field that you lot're in. Ask yourself what character traits those people have and what work y'all might need to exercise in order to become there. By providing an example of how you're working to improve your expanse of weakness, yous'll give the interviewer a glimpse into a few positive attributes about your awareness, including that:

• You know how to identify and mitigate issues that come up.
• You've found a helpful solution to a problem that you and mayhap others on the team face up, which means you can be an immediate resource to the squad.

• You demonstrate self-awareness and an ability to take feedback from others.

Mostly, you're going to need to wait outside of yourself to overcome a weakness. Whether you look to your supervisor, the HubSpot Weblog, or a mentor for help, the simple act of seeking help demonstrates self-awareness and resourcefulness — two skills that are hard to teach, merely valuable to acquire. Borer into your resources shows the interviewers that you can solve problems when the answer is not notwithstanding clear. That's a character trait that has a place on whatsoever team.

Briefly share an example of a time when you asked someone for help in an area that you've identified as a weakness. This gives the hiring squad a articulate film of how you'll piece of work with the team to residue out that weakness.

half dozen. Don't be arrogant and don't underestimate yourself.

The most of import matter you can do when responding to the question "What is your greatest weakness?" is exhibit confidence in your reply. (If lack of confidence is your weakness, keep reading.) Even if you lot're non the most confident person, I'thou going to presume yous're at least honest with yourself. If y'all've identified an surface area of weakness and you're certain virtually it, let that assurance shine through in your answer. There'southward no demand to experience embarrassed virtually something you're genuinely not good at equally long as you're working to become improve.

Before you first expressing a 18-carat weakness to your interviewer, get comfortable with the types of answers that make hiring managers desire to piece of work with y'all. Accept a look at the following examples and find a few that fit your personality and work style. Then, do reciting them aloud so they come naturally to you.

Ready? Here are examples of how y'all might answer "What is your greatest weakness?" and why they work.

Listing of Weaknesses for Job Interview

1. Lack of Patience
2. Lack of Arrangement
3. Trouble with Delegation
4. Timidity
5. Lack of Tactfulness
6. Fright of Public Speaking
7. Weak Data Analysis Skills
8. Indecisiveness
9. Harsh Self-Criticism
10. Micromanaging
11. Talkative
12. Trouble with Work-Life Balance

1. Lack of Patience

Sample Answer:

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

This answer works considering the weakness — the inability to be patient when working with a team — doesn't hinder your ability to perform well in the part, since it's a job that doesn't rely on teamwork to succeed. Additionally, you brandish an eagerness to develop strategies to combat your weakness, which is a critical skill in the workplace.

2. Lack of Organization

Sample Answer:

" I struggle with organisation. While it hasn't ever impacted my performance, I've noticed my messy desk and cluttered inbox nonetheless interfere with my efficiency. Over time, I've learned to set bated 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 because it'south a relatable and fixable weakness. You notation that disorganization doesn't interfere with your ability to practice your job, which is critical, merely y'all likewise acknowledge it might make you less efficient. To ensure you're performing at 100%, you mention personal steps you've taken to improve your organization skills for the sake of cocky-improvement lonely, which suggests a level of maturity and cocky-awareness.

3. Trouble with Delegation

Sample Reply:

"I sometimes find it difficult to delegate responsibleness when I feel I can finish the task well myself. However, when I became director in my last role, information technology became critical I learn to delegate tasks. To maintain a sense of control when delegating tasks, I implemented a project direction organisation to oversee the progress of a projection. This arrangement enabled me to improve my ability to delegate efficiently."

This answer allows you lot to demonstrate an ability 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 you mention the successful implementation of a new procedure that enabled you to succeed in your past role, despite your weakness.

4. Timidity

Sample Reply:

"Oftentimes, I tin be timid when providing constructive feedback to coworkers or managers, out of fear of pain someone'southward feelings. Even so, in my last function, my coworker asked me to edit some of his pieces and provide feedback for areas of comeback. Through my experience with him, I realized feedback can be both helpful and kind when delivered the right way. Since then, I've go better at offering feedback, and I've realized that I can employ empathy to provide thoughtful, productive feedback."

This respond works because yous've explained how you were able to plow a weakness into a forcefulness through real-world feel. Typically, timidity can be seen every bit a flaw in the workplace, especially if a function requires someone to provide feedback to others. In this case, y'all're able to demonstrate how timidity 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 squad manager, because I'm able to become things washed efficiently, and people frequently appreciate my honesty. However, I've recognized my bluntness doesn't always serve my employees well when I'm delivering feedback. To combat this, I've worked to develop empathy and deeper relationships with those I manage. Additionally, I took an online leadership direction course, and worked with the professor to develop my ability to deliver feedback."

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

In this example, you first explain how your blunt nature allows you to be successful in certain situations. Then, y'all mention that you understand your bluntness tin can be seen as a lack of empathy and provide examples of how yous've attempted to solve this issue. Ultimately, your awareness of how you might be perceived past others shows a level of emotional intelligence, which is a critical nugget for a team leader.

6. Fearfulness of Public Speaking

Sample Reply:

"Public speaking makes me nervous. While I don't demand to do much public speaking in my role equally a web designer, I still feel that it's an important skill — especially when I want to offering my opinion during a meeting. To gainsay this, I spoke with my manager and she recommended I speak at each team meeting for a few minutes most our project timeline, deadlines, and goals when developing a website for a client. This practise has enabled me to relax and see public speaking as an opportunity to aid my team members practice their jobs effectively."

In this instance, y'all mention a skill that isn't applicable to the role, just one which you nonetheless take been working to better. This shows your want to meet more business organisation needs than necessary in your current role, which is admirable. Additionally, it's impressive if you tin can show yous're willing to reach out to your manager with areas in which yous want to improve, instead of waiting for your managing director to suggest those areas of comeback to you lot. It demonstrates a level of appetite and professional maturity.

7. Weak Data Analysis Skills

Sample Answer:

"I'm not corking at analyzing data or numbers. However, I recognize this flaw tin forestall me from agreement how my content is performing online. In my last function, I fix monthly meetings with the SEO manager to discuss analytics and how our posts were performing. Additionally, I received my Google Analytics certificate, and I make it a point to analyze data related to our blog regularly. I've become much more comfy analyzing data through these efforts."

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 equally a whole. This type of company-first mentality shows the interviewer you lot're dedicated to making yourself a valuable asset, and effort your all-time to empathise the needs of the whole department, rather than but your role.

viii. Indecisiveness

Sample Answer:

"Sometimes I struggle with ambivalence 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 stiff squad and leadership that I haven't had much do 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 answer works considering y'all're demonstrating that you can both follow a leader and acuminate your leadership skills. It'due south alright to not know what to do in the moment. Albeit that you relied on strong leadership shows that y'all can be a follower when needed, merely knowing when to step upward is of import, likewise. With this answer, you're showing that y'all'll step up if a situation calls for decisiveness.

9. Harsh Self-Criticism

Sample Answer:

"My inner critic tin can be debilitating at times. I have pride in producing good work, but I experience like I struggle feeling satisfied with it, which has led to burnout in the past. However, I've started to push dorsum against this inner voice by taking care of myself before and afterward work. I'yard also learning to recognize when my inner critic is right and when I need to dismiss information technology."

This answer works because your interviewer may relate; nosotros all accept harsh inner critics. Information technology's also effective because 1) It shows that you lot're willing to work on your weaknesses outside of work, not just during concern hours, and two) It demonstrates your inner critic may have valid points. Discerning when to dismiss information technology is key to forestall burnout and increase productivity. Realizing how the inner critic may inhibit practiced work ethic demonstrates your willingness to abound and be an effective worker.

10. Micromanaging

Sample Answer:

"I used to work in industries where I had to cultivate a solid work ethic in my employees. This fashion of preparation has been then ingrained in me that I've forgotten to discern who may need that coaching and who does non. I've been reading books on effective delegation and team building to work on this shortcoming. One technique that works for me is assuring myself that if I institute clear expectations, and so my squad will follow. I've also learned to trust my team members."

This respond works best if yous've been in a leadership position before and are applying to a managerial part. However, you can still utilize it to by experiences where you lot did take to show leadership. This answer shows that while you may be used to running your crew or team a specific mode, you're willing to admit when your method isn't the nigh effective. Showing your flexibility demonstrates your ability to abound.

11. Talkative

Sample Answer:

"I enjoy developing a relationship with my coworkers by engaging in conversation, and that's a great squad-building skill. Withal, I have a addiction of carrying on a conversation to a indicate where information technology may distract other coworkers. I accept learned since then that there are other ways to connect with my coworkers, and that if I'k asking virtually their twenty-four hour period, I need to continue it brief and redirect myself dorsum to my work. "This reply works because information technology shows you're aware of how your talkative tendencies may be distracting in the workplace. It takes a lot of backbone to acknowledge that. It also shows you are willing to develop a relationship with coworkers but not at the cost of productivity.

12. Problem Maintaining a Piece of work-Life Residuum

Sample Answer:

"I've struggled with work-life balance, particularly later I started working remotely during the pandemic. This increased my stress levels to the point where my productivity was at an all-time low and I didn't bring my all-time self to work. Because I want to continue working remotely, I've started calculation more than structure to my day and instituted a precipitous start and end time. I've already seen improvements in my levels of focus during work hours."

At offset, this might seem similar a "forcefulness" weakness — pouring yourself into work is swell, right? That ways y'all love your chore. But if it impacts your productivity and your relationships with coworkers, that is not so great. This respond works because it doesn't just say, "I piece of work a lot, so my dwelling life suffers." It says, "I piece of work a lot to the point of burnout, and I've realized that I need to structure my solar day." If you've struggled with piece of work-life remainder issues in the past, information technology's of import to country how you lot're restoring that balance and how it has impacted your work.

In that location's Strength In Every Weakness

Regardless of whether you're bad with numbers or you tend not to speak upwardly in group settings, in that location's a strength behind every weakness. The strength is in how you work to overcome it. Leaning on your teammates who excel in those areas is a slap-up fashion to show that you'll work well on the team and that you know how to use your resources to solve bug. Taking professional development courses shows that you're willing to piece of work toward improvement. No affair which of these answers y'all share with the hiring team, they'll be more happy to help you lot grow and exceed the expectations of the role.

Editor'due south notation: This post was originally published in Dec 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

 

Originally published Dec 14, 2021 seven: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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