best answers to what is your greatest weakness interview question

And then, yous've finally got your foot in the door at your dream company. Yous've submitted the perfect resume and made a lasting impression during the phone screen. All at that place'south 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 important interview questions y'all can remember of — the most notorious of them all beingness: "What is your greatest weakness?"

Yous don't desire to respond, "I tend to work as well hard," or "I am too much of a perfectionist." That can easily come across as scripted and insincere at best and defective in self-awareness at worst.

Alternatively, you don't desire to respond with weaknesses that will forestall you lot from succeeding in the role. For instance, if you're applying to be a project managing director, you don't want to admit that you're "non very expert with fourth dimension management."

Fortunately, in that location are ways to answer this question that will assistance you demonstrate your value as a candidate. Hither, 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 answer What are your greatest weaknesses?

1. Choose a weakness that will not forestall you from succeeding in the role.
2. Be honest and choose a existent weakness.
3. Provide an instance of how you lot've worked to meliorate upon your weakness or acquire a new skill to combat the issue.
4. Demonstrate cocky-awareness and an power to look to others to provide you with the resources necessary for growth.
5. Don't exist arrogant and don't underestimate yourself.

1. Choose a weakness that will non prevent you from succeeding in the role.

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

• Whether you take a healthy level of cocky-sensation
• Whether yous tin can be open and honest, particularly near shortcomings
• Whether you pursue self-comeback and growth opportunities to combat these issues, as opposed to letting these weaknesses hold you dorsum

Ultimately, you'll want to apply this question to demonstrate how you've used a weakness as motivation to learn a new skill or abound professionally. Everyone has weaknesses — your interviewer doesn't expect you to exist perfect.

If y'all're applying for a copywriting position with niggling necessity for math skills, you might admit, "I struggle with numbers, and don't have much experience with information analytics. While math is not directly tied to my part as a writer, I believe it's important to have 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 similar this shows the hiring manager that y'all recognize your areas for growth and are able to act on them without being told to practise so. This kind of self-starter attitude is a plus for virtually whatsoever team.

ii. Be honest and cull a real weakness.

The answer "perfectionism" won't cutting it when talking virtually your biggest weakness because it'southward not a real weakness. Perfectionism tin never exist attained — it's a fear-based pattern that leads to curt-term rewards like getting the job done early and exceeding expectations. Yet, in the long-term, trying to attain perfectionism leads to exhaustion, low-quality work, and missed deadlines. Burnout is one of the biggest contributors to decreased productivity, turnover, and low employee appointment — all of which cost a visitor money, time, and talent.

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

three. Provide an example of how you've worked to improve upon your weakness or larn a new skill to combat the issue.

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

4. Recall most weaknesses in your own personal life.

If yous humanize yourself in the interview, it'll allow your interviewer to connect and visualize working with y'all in the future. It'south not but about weaknesses that pertain to the job. For example, if yous are an introvert and you detect your preference for quiet time stops you from taking risks, this is a relatable weakness. When you demonstrate your self-awareness this fashion, it shows y'all sympathise that self-comeback correlates to work performance.

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

Overall, growth is a part of life. Recall well-nigh people you lot wait upwards to that may be related to the field that y'all're in. Inquire yourself what character traits those people have and what work you might need to do in order to get there. By providing an case of how yous're working to amend your area of weakness, you'll give the interviewer a glimpse into a few positive attributes most your awareness, including that:

• You know how to identify and mitigate issues that come up up.
• You've found a helpful solution to a problem that you and maybe others on the team confront, which ways you can exist an immediate resource to the team.

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

Generally, y'all're going to need to await exterior of yourself to overcome a weakness. Whether you lot look to your supervisor, the HubSpot Blog, or a mentor for assistance, the elementary human action of seeking help demonstrates self-awareness and resourcefulness — two skills that are hard to teach, simply valuable to acquire. Tapping into your resources shows the interviewers that you can solve problems when the respond is not yet clear. That's a character trait that has a place on whatever team.

Briefly share an example of a fourth dimension when you asked someone for help in an area that y'all've identified as a weakness. This gives the hiring squad a clear flick of how you lot'll piece of work with the team to balance out that weakness.

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

The most important affair yous can exercise when responding to the question "What is your greatest weakness?" is exhibit confidence in your answer. (If lack of confidence is your weakness, keep reading.) Even if you lot're not the most confident person, I'm going to assume you're at to the lowest degree honest with yourself. If you lot've identified an area of weakness and you're certain virtually information technology, let that assurance smooth through in your answer. There's no demand to feel embarrassed most something you're genuinely not practiced at as long every bit you're working to get better.

Before yous start expressing a 18-carat weakness to your interviewer, get comfortable with the types of answers that brand hiring managers want to work with you. Take a look at the following examples and observe a few that fit your personality and work style. Then, practice reciting them aloud so they come naturally to you lot.

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

List 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 Assay Skills
8. Indecisiveness
9. Harsh Self-Criticism
10. Micromanaging
11. Talkative
12. Trouble with Work-Life Rest

1. Lack of Patience

Sample Reply:

"I don't take much patience when working with a team — I am incredibly self-sufficient, so it's difficult when I need to rely on others to consummate my work. That's why I've pursued roles that require someone to work independently. However, I've also worked to improve this weakness by enrolling in team-building workshops. While I typically piece of work independently, information technology's of import I learn how to trust my coworkers and enquire for outside assistance when necessary."

This answer works because the weakness — the inability to be patient when working with a team — doesn't hinder your power to perform well in the role, since information technology's a chore that doesn't rely on teamwork to succeed. Additionally, you display an eagerness to develop strategies to combat your weakness, which is a critical skill in the workplace.

2. Lack of System

Sample Respond:

" I struggle with system. While it hasn't ever impacted my performance, I've noticed my messy desk-bound and cluttered inbox nonetheless 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 meliorate my efficiency levels throughout the week."

Enough 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 power to do your job, which is critical, merely you as well acknowledge it might make you less efficient. To ensure you lot're performing at 100%, you mention personal steps you lot've taken to better your system skills for the sake of cocky-improvement alone, which suggests a level of maturity and self-sensation.

iii. Trouble with Delegation

Sample Answer:

"I sometimes notice it difficult to delegate responsibility when I experience I can stop the task well myself. Withal, when I became manager in my last role, information technology became critical I acquire to delegate tasks. To maintain a sense of control when delegating tasks, I implemented a project management system to oversee the progress of a project. This system enabled me to meliorate my ability to delegate efficiently."

This answer allows you to demonstrate an ability to pursue a new skill when a office calls for information technology and suggests you lot'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 process that enabled you to succeed in your past role, despite your weakness.

4. Timidity

Sample Answer:

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

This respond works considering 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 can exist used as a strength, through thoughtful reflection and practice.

five. Lack of Tactfulness

Sample Reply:

"My blunt, straightforward nature has allowed me to succeed over the years equally a team manager, because I'm able to become things washed efficiently, and people oftentimes appreciate my honesty. Still, 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 management course, and worked with the professor to develop my ability to deliver feedback."

Oftentimes, facets of our personalities can aid us in certain areas of our piece of work, while hindering us in others. That's natural. However, y'all must demonstrate an ability to recognize when your personality interferes with the functions of your role, and how yous can solve for that.

In this example, yous starting time explain how your blunt nature allows yous to be successful in certain situations. So, you mention that you empathise your bluntness can be seen as a lack of empathy and provide examples of how you lot've attempted to solve this event. Ultimately, your awareness of how you lot might be perceived by others shows a level of emotional intelligence, which is a critical nugget for a team leader.

six. Fearfulness of Public Speaking

Sample Answer:

"Public speaking makes me nervous. While I don't demand to do much public speaking in my role as a web designer, I still feel that it'south an important skill — especially when I desire to offer my opinion during a coming together. To combat this, I spoke with my manager and she recommended I speak at each team coming together for a few minutes most our project timeline, deadlines, and goals when developing a website for a client. This do has enabled me to relax and encounter public speaking every bit an opportunity to help my team members do their jobs effectively."

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

7. Weak Information Analysis Skills

Sample Answer:

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

In this case, you're able to testify your desire to get higher up and beyond a job clarification and actively seek out skills that could be helpful to the success of your company 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 only your function.

eight. Indecisiveness

Sample Respond:

"Sometimes I struggle with ambiguity and making decisions when directions aren't clear. I come up from a work environment that e'er gave clear and direct instructions. I had such a strong squad and leadership that I oasis't had much practice making decisions in the heat of the moment. I'one thousand working on this by leaning more into my experience and practicing listening to my gut."

This answer works because you lot're demonstrating that you can both follow a leader and sharpen your leadership skills. It's alright to non know what to exercise in the moment. Admitting that you relied on strong leadership shows that y'all tin be a follower when needed, but knowing when to step upwards is important, besides. With this answer, you're showing that you'll step upwardly if a situation calls for decisiveness.

9. Harsh Self-Criticism

Sample Answer:

"My inner critic tin can be debilitating at times. I accept pride in producing good work, just I feel like I struggle feeling satisfied with it, which has led to exhaustion in the past. However, I've started to push back against this inner voice by taking care of myself before and subsequently work. I'm likewise learning to recognize when my inner critic is right and when I need to dismiss information technology."

This answer works considering your interviewer may chronicle; we all take harsh inner critics. It'south too constructive because 1) It shows that you lot're willing to work on your weaknesses outside of piece of work, not just during business hours, and ii) It demonstrates your inner critic may have valid points. Discerning when to dismiss it is key to foreclose exhaustion and increase productivity. Realizing how the inner critic may inhibit good work ethic demonstrates your willingness to grow and be an effective worker.

x. Micromanaging

Sample Respond:

"I used to piece of work in industries where I had to cultivate a solid piece of work ethic in my employees. This style of training has been then ingrained in me that I've forgotten to discern who may need that coaching and who does not. I've been reading books on effective delegation and squad building to work on this shortcoming. One technique that works for me is assuring myself that if I establish clear expectations, then my team will follow. I've also learned to trust my team members."

This answer works all-time if you've been in a leadership position before and are applying to a managerial role. However, you tin however apply it to by experiences where you did have to testify leadership. This answer shows that while yous may be used to running your coiffure 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 enjoy developing a relationship with my coworkers by engaging in conversation, and that'southward a great team-building skill. However, I have a habit of carrying on a chat to a indicate where it may distract other coworkers. I have learned since so that there are other means to connect with my coworkers, and that if I'm request about their day, I need to keep it brief and redirect myself back to my work. "This respond works considering information technology shows you're aware of how your talkative tendencies may be distracting in the workplace. It takes a lot of courage to admit that. Information technology also shows you are willing to develop a relationship with coworkers but non at the cost of productivity.

12. Trouble Maintaining a Piece of work-Life Balance

Sample Respond:

"I've struggled with work-life remainder, specially after 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 best cocky to work. Because I want to go along working remotely, I've started adding more construction to my day and instituted a sharp outset and terminate time. I've already seen improvements in my levels of focus during work hours."

At start, this might seem like a "strength" weakness — pouring yourself into piece of work is great, correct? That means yous love your job. But if it impacts your productivity and your relationships with coworkers, that is not and then great. This reply works because it doesn't just say, "I work a lot, and then my abode life suffers." Information technology says, "I piece of work a lot to the betoken of burnout, and I've realized that I need to structure my day." If you've struggled with work-life balance issues in the past, information technology'southward important to state how you lot're restoring that balance and how information technology has impacted your work.

There's Strength In Every Weakness

Regardless of whether you're bad with numbers or you tend not to speak upward in group settings, there's a force backside every weakness. The strength is in how you lot piece of work to overcome it. Leaning on your teammates who excel in those areas is a bang-up way to show that you'll piece of work well on the team and that you know how to utilise your resources to solve problems. Taking professional development courses shows that you're willing to work toward comeback. No matter which of these answers you lot share with the hiring team, they'll be more than happy to help you 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 Dec 14, 2021 vii: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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