20+ Foolproof Answers For ‘What’s Your Weakness’ Question

Then you finally have your foot in the company of your dreams. As an informed candidate, you have researched the company and prepared answers to the main interview questions that come to mind; The most famous is “What is your greatest weakness?”

You don’t want to answer, “I’m too busy” or “I’m too much of a perfectionist.” At best, it can easily come across as scripted and unreliable; at worst, it lacks self-awareness. Also, you don’t want to respond with weaknesses that prevent you from succeeding in the role.

For example, if you’re applying for a project manager position, don’t assume, “You’reYou could be better at time management. “When answering the examiner’s question, “What is your greatest weakness?” 

This cannot be easy, especially if you’re hoping to talk about the many skills, talents, and abilities that make a candidate strong for the job.

Tips and examples for answering ‘What’s your weakness'”

Interviewers ask, “What’s your biggest weakness?” You want to know how honest and conscientious you are. You also look for evidence that you want to improve on your weaknesses.

The best answer to these honest questions is to describe the weakness and provide an example of how you are actively working to improve it.

Choose a weakness that won’t affect completing the task. 

To the answer, “What is your greatest weakness?” Do you want to know:

• If you have a healthy level of self-awareness

• If you can be open and honest, especially about disabilities.

• If you are considering an opportunity to improve and grow, overcome these problems instead of letting these weaknesses hold you back

Finally, this question aims to show how you have used a weakness as motivation to learn new skills or grow professionally. Everyone makes mistakes – your examiner doesn’t expect you to be perfect. If you’re looking for a writing job with little math skills, you might assume,

“I struggle with numbers and don’t have much experience with data analysis. I have Google Analytics to make sure.” That my work is good, and to overcome this weakness, I took online courses in data analysis.”

Answers like this show the hiring manager that they know your areas of development and can work on them without telling you. 

This independent attitude is beneficial to almost any team.

Be honest and choose the right weakness.

“Perfectionism” isn’t a good answer when talking about your biggest weakness because it’s not real. Perfection is never achieved – it’s a fear-based model that ensures tasks are completed on time and rewards exceed expectations.

But in the long run, perfectionism can lead to burnout, poor quality work, and missed deadlines. Burnout can lead to lost productivity, revenue, and reduced employee engagement, costing a company money, time, and talent.

Instead, choose a real weakness. A lack of confidence can underlie the desire to do a perfect job.

A group may lack the confidence to make mistakes because they try to do everything perfectly. This is a real weakness that can be overcome.

Think about where and what support you need to get there.

Development, in general, is a part of life. Think about the ones you like that are related to your field. Ask yourself what qualities these people possess and what you need to do to get them.

Giving an example of how you worked to improve your weakness will help the interviewer understand some of the positive attributes of your integrity. Know how to identify and deal with problems.

 The fact that you have found an effective solution to a problem that you and other team members are facing means that you can be an immediate resource for the team. Demonstrates self-awareness and the ability to receive feedback from others.

We often have to look outside ourselves to overcome weaknesses. Whether asking for help from a supervisor, a Hub Spot blog, or a coach, the simple act of asking for help demonstrates self-awareness and creativity, two difficult but important skills to learn.

This gives the staffing team a clear picture of how effectively they can work with the team to address this weakness.

Think about the weaknesses in your life.

By being in the interview yourself, you can envision the interviewer communicating and collaborating with you in the future. 

These are only some of the weaknesses of the work. This is important if you have an introverted tendency and realize that you work hard to take risks. 

Showing these ways of self-improvement shows that you believe that self-improvement is linked to success.

Tips for revealing the right weaknesses in interviews

That said, your answer should be honest and not hurt your chances of getting the job. So how do you know which weaknesses to show? Here are a few tips.

Eliminate all skills listed in the job description.

Scan all job details to ensure all required skills and responsibilities are present. Let’s say you’re applying for a senior product marketing manager position.

The job description states that the company is looking for a thorough historian who can interpret data and study the market and is self-motivated and adaptable to change.

Think about the weaknesses you have overcome.

When preparing your answer, think about what you have learned and improved while working in your current position. 

Describe your initial difficulties in learning or developing a skill and tell the examiner what you did to overcome them.

For example, I needed help analyzing and interpreting marketing data early in my career. To develop these skills, my manager trained me and gave me weekly assignments to practice interpreting data.

Examples of weaknesses to mention and still get the job

Here is some best example of handling weakness of interviewing:

Pay more attention to details

Focusing on details is generally good but can be seen as a disadvantage if you spend a lot of time on certain aspects of a project. 

When you share, you focus on the details and show the interviewer that you can help the organization avoid small mistakes.

When looking at the big picture, tell us how you can improve in this area. While some employers may not like having an employee with an eye for detail, a candidate who guarantees quality and strives for balance can be a great asset.

Example: “My biggest weakness is that sometimes I focus too much when it comes to details of a project and tend to spend too much time analyzing the smallest details. I fix this by checking in with myself regularly and allowing myself to refocus on the bigger picture. That way, I can always guarantee quality without getting bogged down in details that affect my productivity or the team’s ability to meet deadlines.”

Tips To Talk About Your Weaknesses in Interviews

Make a list of your weaknesses.

When preparing for an interview, list the most important skills or qualities for the position you are applying for. 

These are the benefits you want to convey to the interviewer. Second, think of any weaknesses that can be considered positive.

With weak questions, the interviewer is trying to gain a deeper understanding of you as a person and whether you would be a good addition to the company.

Sometimes Lack of confidence

Lack of confidence can be a common weakness, especially among beginners. However, a Lack of confidence can sometimes lead to poor performance.

For example, you feel unable to speak during an important meeting, and your idea can help the team achieve a goal.

Humility can be helpful when working with others, but you must maintain the confidence to do your job to the best of your ability.

You want to mention it in the interview if it’s a weakness. Why value trust; Understand the value you offer and emphasize how safe you are in the workplace.

Adaptable people may also have difficulty working with others who have certain traits or personality traits. Good collaboration skills also mean a strong understanding of how to work with others and how you can adapt your work style to serve the organization better.

If this has been one of your weaknesses in the past, identify the personality types you’ve had trouble working with and quickly figure out why.

Then talk about how you adjusted your relationships or work styles to work together better toward a common goal.

State your weakness. 

• Respond strategically.

“What are your weaknesses?” In other words, you want to emphasize a skill or trait that is optional to the position you are applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a customer service job, don’t say, “You don’t have the right people skills.” You don’t even have to pick a random weakness like “I’m a perfectionist” to overlap.

• Give an example of how you used this weakness to be professional.

Your “weakness” should be an example or story of how you struggled with some aspect of the job and how you fixed or overcame the weakness in your career. 

This shows your employer that you are fit for the position and highlights your problem-solving ability.

If you are actively working to address a particular weakness, include your action plan during the call.

You may not enjoy working in the unknown.

Most jobs require candidates who know how to define tasks and work toward individual goals. 

This means they must be experienced, thoughtful, and responsible in the workplace.

While following step-by-step instructions is helpful, it’s important to know what to do to get the desired results.

If this is a weakness you present during the interview, explain your success following the guidelines and your career potential if you find this inaccuracy reassuring. You should also explain the steps you take to define your workday if given unclear tasks or goals.

Best Weaknesses To Share With An Interviewer.

Lack of organization

Example answer:

“I struggle with organization, and while it doesn’t affect my performance, I’ve found that my desk and cluttered inbox hinder my efficiency. “Many people have messy desks. This response works because it is an identified and resolved vulnerability.

Remember that disorganization doesn’t hinder your ability to get work done, which is essential, but you also know it makes you less efficient. 

To be 100% sure, list the personal steps you’ve taken to improve your organizational skills to better yourself.

Lack of understanding

Example answer:

“Because of my honest and direct nature, I have had success as a team leader over the years because I get things done well, and people often appreciate my honesty. Our personality factors can often help us in some areas of work while not in others.

It is something natural. 

However, you must demonstrate that you can recognize when your personality interferes with the functions of your role and how to deal with it.

In this example, explain how your tough nature allows you to succeed in certain situations. Then explain that your openness could be perceived as a lack of empathy and give examples of how you tried to solve the problem.

Fear of public speaking

For example:

“Public speaking makes me nervous. Although I don’t have to do a lot of public speaking in my role as a web designer, it is still an important skill – especially when I want to express my opinion in a meeting.

“In this example, you mentioned a skill that doesn’t fit the role but is still being worked on to improve. This reflects the need to address more business needs than required in the current role, which is commendable.

It would also be interesting if you showed that you are willing to discuss areas for improvement with your manager rather than wait for him to suggest an improvement. Demonstrate a level of interest and professional maturity.

Lack of patience

Sample answer:

“I’m very impatient when working in a team; I’m very motivated, so it’s hard when I have to rely on others to get the job done. I work independently. “But I am also working to improve the poor participation in team building workshops.

Although I tend to work alone, I must learn to trust my colleagues and ask for outside help when necessary.

 “This answer works because the weakness – the inability to be patient when working with a team – does not interfere with your ability to do the role well because it is a job that does not rely on teamwork to succeed.

Difficulty maintaining work-life balance

Sample answer:

“I struggled with work-life balance, especially after I started working remotely during the pandemic, which caused my stress levels to reach an all-time low and prevented me from reaching my maximum at work.

“At first glance, it seems like a “strong” weakness – it’s good to rework it at work, right? It means you love your job. 

But if it affects your productivity and relationships with colleagues, it’s no good. This answer works because it doesn’t just say, “I work hard because my family life suffers.

Strength lies in every weakness.

Sample answer:

“I worked until I was exhausted. I realized that I had to organize my day, he said. If you’ve struggled with work-life balance in the past, it’s important to talk about how you regained balance and how it affected your business.

It doesn’t matter if you need to improve with numbers or tend to refrain from speaking up in groups. There’s a strength behind every weakness.

The strength lies in how you work to overcome it. Having colleagues who excel in these areas is a great way to show that you work well in a team. 

Taking professional development courses shows that you are willing to work on improving yourself.

Good Examples Of Weaknesses For Interview

• One of my weaknesses is that I tend to be a perfectionist, which can sometimes lead me to spend too much time on a task. However, I have learned to set clear goals and deadlines for myself, and to prioritize tasks based on their importance and impact on the overall project.

• I used to struggle with public speaking, but I have been actively working on improving this skill. I have taken public speaking courses and have volunteered to give presentations in front of my team, which has helped me gain confidence and improve my delivery.

• I have a tendency to take on too much work at once, which can sometimes lead to feeling overwhelmed. However, I have learned to communicate more effectively with my team and to delegate tasks when necessary. This has helped me manage my workload more effectively and avoid burnout.

• I have a weakness in data analysis, which is an important skill in my current role. However, I have been taking online courses to improve my data analysis skills and have been working closely with my colleagues to gain more experience in this area.

• I have a tendency to get caught up in the details, which can sometimes cause me to lose sight of the bigger picture. However, I have learned to step back and assess the situation from a higher level, which has helped me stay focused on the overall goals and objectives.

• One of my weaknesses is time management. I sometimes struggle with prioritizing tasks and can end up feeling overwhelmed. However, I have been working on this by breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces and setting clear goals and deadlines for myself.

• I have a weakness in public relations, which is an important aspect of my current role. However, I have been seeking out opportunities to network and connect with others in my industry and taking courses on effective communication and relationship-building.

• I have a tendency to be too critical of myself, which can sometimes hold me back from taking risks or trying new things. However, I have been working on building my self-confidence and reframing my mindset to focus on learning from mistakes and failures.

• One of my weaknesses is that I can be too detail-oriented, which can sometimes slow down the decision-making process. However, I have been working on balancing attention to detail with a big-picture perspective, which has helped me make more effective and efficient decisions.

• I have a weakness in project management, which is an important skill in my current role. However, I have been seeking mentorship and guidance from more experienced project managers, taking courses on project management and applying what I learn in practice.

Conclusion 

The key to answering this interview question is preparation by identifying weaknesses that speak to strengths. This shows the examiner that you have enough knowledge to identify your options.

Using your tools shows interviewers that you can solve problems without obvious answers. This is a character trait that has a place. Professionally write an example of someone asking for help in an area identified as a weakness.

Turning your weaknesses into positives can be difficult, but combining self-awareness with an action plan can quickly set you apart from other job seekers.

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