Do you have an upcoming job interview and are worried about giving an appropriate yet impactful answer to the question, “what is your greatest weakness?”
That question is undoubtedly one of the toughest ones among the questions interviewers will ask because it requires an honest answer without being too self-deprecating.
But you came to the right place to get help. This article will discuss the meaning behind this interview question and how to best answer it.
- Why Do Interviews Ask, “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?”?
- How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?”
- Examples: How to Answer “What is Your Greatest Weakness?”
- Additional Tips for Impressing an Interview Asking What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
- Additional Questions To Be Aware Of
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
Why Do Interviews Ask, “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?”?
Many job interviewers will ask potential employees several thoughtful yet challenging questions, such as “Where do you see yourself in five year?,” “What’s something you didn’t like about your last job?,” and “How do you deal with conflict?”
But “What is your greatest weakness” is one of the most common, and also one of the most challenging.
It may seem like an annoying question at best and a trick question at worst. However, interviewers ask this question to gain insight into how prospective employees view themselves, as well as how they evaluate their skills and abilities.
The trickiness of the question also can help an employer gauge how you handle nuanced questions, which is helpful if you’re working in a competitive communication job, such as sales.
Additionally, this question provides an opportunity to see if the candidate is self-aware of their weaknesses and how they plan to work around them. If the candidate provides a fake answer or an answer to try to make themselves look good, such as “I work too hard,” that won’t cut it.
Moreover, interviewers will also want to get a sense of whether a particular weakness might be fine for the given role or whether it might simply not be a good match. For example, if the candidate is applying to a teaching job and their weakness is their impatience, the job may simply not be a great fit.
Overall, asking about an employee’s greatest weakness gives the interviewer a good sense of many aspects, including but not limited to the candidate’s:
- Self-awareness
- Problem-solving skills
- Confidence
- Estimations of their abilities
- Honesty
- Role compatibility
- Potential setbacks
How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?”
An excellent answer to “What is your greatest weakness?” will convey your ability to identify deficiencies in your skill set, capabilities, and relevant knowledge. It will also demonstrate your willingness and ability to work through those potential setbacks.
This is why it’s important to be honest with the weakness you provide, so that the entire answer will sound genuine and thoughtful instead of contrived.
What to Focus On When Answering This Question
When answering this question, you want to focus on a particular skill or behavior that is not super critical for the job.
For example, having the weakness of constantly multitasking and struggling to do things one at a time is an honest weakness, but doesn’t interfere with many corporate jobs (especially ones in which multitasking might also be a benefit).
You may also want to focus on a skill or area you are working on or improving. Focusing on a trait that you can change, and especially one that you have proof that you’ve grown in already.
Procrastination, for example, is a common weakness for many people, but one that you can change through conscious effort and strategy. You can share which procrastination-busting strategies you’ve used, such as organizing your calendar better, planners, setting timers, or even hiring a personal coach.
Finally, ensure that your answer shows humility and an understanding of how to learn from your mistakes.
What To Avoid When Answering This Question
Additionally, you want to ensure not to mention having a weakness for a trait that’s essential for the job or one that could cause concern.
For example, if you’re applying for a sales job, you don’t want to mention that you have trouble working with others or lack communication skills. If you believe this is true, you might also consider not applying for this particular role.
Another thing to avoid is discussing unchangeable traits, such as your age or height. There’s no point in mentioning a fixed trait as a “weakness.”
Examples: How to Answer “What is Your Greatest Weakness?”
If you need additional guidance for these types of interviews, here are some example answers that you can use when answering the question, “What is your greatest weakness?”
You can adapt them to your own weaknesses and job description to get a better sense of what you might want to say in an upcoming interview.
Example Answer 1
“I used to have trouble managing my time effectively. Even though I always showed up on time to work – fresh, alert, and dressed to impress – I would eventually become often overwhelmed and unable to complete tasks on time.
However, I have since taken on several strategies to help me manage my time better, such as making daily to-do lists and breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks. I now feel much better equipped to manage my time efficiently.
More specifically, I’ve been able to increase my productivity and ensure I meet deadlines consistently.”
Why This Answer Works
This answer demonstrates that the candidate is aware of their own shortcomings when it comes to time management.
However, it also indicates that the candidate is aware of those shortcomings and has actively strategized how to overcome them, providing specific, proven strategies to demonstrate this.
This answer highlights an honest setback and one that might initially seem nerve-wracking to mention in an interview. But it also highlights a potential strength – the candidate’s ability to self-reflect and make positive changes.
Example Answer 2
“I tend to be too hard on myself. Whenever I make a mistake or fail at something, I take it very personally and can get discouraged easily.
Though, I’ve learned to recognize my accomplishments and be more forgiving of myself when I fail. This slow and steady improvement has helped me build more self-confidence and stay motivated in both my work and personal pursuits.”
Why This Answer Works
Being self-critical is a common trait and one that is not necessarily beneficial in most work settings.
This answer shows self-awareness of the candidate’s negative tendencies but also highlights the steps they have already begun taking to overcome them.
By being open and honest about their struggle with self-confidence, the candidate further demonstrates their capacity for self-reflection and growth.
Plus, an employer might appreciate someone who pushes themselves at times, as long as they are working on scaling it back and treating themselves with a kind, balanced approach overall.
Example Answer 3
“I tend to get impatient when explaining something and don’t give enough time for others to understand it.
I have been working on being a better listener and giving more time for people to process what I am saying. This has helped me have more productive conversations with my colleagues, and I’m still continuing to work on this trait.”
Why This Answer Works
Impatience may be a serious red flag if the employer is looking for an employee to work in a team setting.
This answer shows that the candidate is aware of this tendency but knows that it’s important to be able to have good conversations with their team in the future.
It also implies that the candidate is likely to be willing to do the work required for them to grow and adapt. They know that patience is key, making it another highly self-aware and honest answer.
Additional Tips for Impressing an Interview Asking What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
As mentioned, this question can be a daunting one to answer.
You want to demonstrate self-awareness but don’t want to come off as overly-critical or lacking important skills for the job.
Here are some additional tips for impressing the interviewer if they ask this question.
1. Focus on your growth: When you’re answering, focus more on your growth than your weak spots. Showing the interviewer that you are actively working on improving yourself will help them see how you can grow in the role and develop valuable skills.
2. Be specific: Choose one weakness, and make sure your answer is specific. This will help you sound more honest and thoughtful in your response.
3. Share how you overcome difficulty: Explain how you’ve been working to overcome your weakness and emphasize any successes you’ve had along the way. This will help show the interviewer that you are proactive in addressing any areas for improvement.
4. Give examples: When you’re sharing how you’ve improved in this area, providing concrete examples is the way to go.
For example, anyone can say that they’ve become “more goal-oriented,” but providing a story around how you’ve recently set and achieved a goal will demonstrate this growth in a more believable and impactful way.
People tend to leave out examples because they’re worried about the overall length of the interview and want to get through more questions. But remember, it’s all about the quality of quantity, and this applies to job interview answers as well.
5. Stay positive: Even when discussing your weaknesses, it’s important to remain positive. Make sure your answer is sincere and professional, so the interviewer can see you in a good light.
Additional Questions To Be Aware Of
The “weakness” question is common, but be aware of other questions you might receive.
- What is your greatest strength?: An interviewer wants to know what you’re exceptionally good at.
- Two truths and a lie: You can share two things that are true about them and one thing that’s a fib.
- Tell me about a time you failed: This question helps an interviewer see how you deal with failure and challenges.
- Tell me about a time you made a mistake: You can provide an example of when you realized something wasn’t going as planned and how you reacted to the situation.
- How do you handle stress?: You can show the interviewer that you are self-aware and take responsibility for your stress levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have worries about this challenging interview question? Here are our answers to two commonly asked questions.
Does talking about weaknesses signal failure?
No – talking about weaknesses does not indicate failure. Alternatively, it conveys growth, self-awareness, and determination to improve in the future.
It’s crucial for you to be sincere and honest when answering this question since the interviewer wants to understand who you are and how you handle setbacks, weaknesses, and failures.
What makes this interview question so good?
“What is your greatest weakness?” is a good question because it gives the interviewer a deeper understanding of how you think of yourself, as well as how you think.
It’s also an opportunity for you to show the interviewer that you are self-aware and focused on personal growth and development.
Wrapping Up
“What is your greatest weakness?” is a particularly challenging question during a job interview, as you don’t want to say something that will make you look unfit for the role.
However, if you answer this tricky question in a genuine and thoughtful way, it won’t be as nerve-wracking as you might assume.
With a confident, well-thought-out answer, you’ll be able to display your self-awareness and growth mindset.
