How to Answer What Is Your Biggest Weakness

So, you've finally got your foot in the door at your dream company. You've submitted the perfect resume and made a lasting impression during the phone screen. All at that place's left to do now is to win over the hiring manager in the face-to-face interview.

As a well-informed candidate, y'all're doing your research on the company and preparing your answers to the about important interview questions yous can call back of — the nigh notorious of them all being: "What is your greatest weakness?"

Y'all don't want to respond, "I tend to piece of work likewise hard," or "I am too much of a perfectionist." That can easily come up across as scripted and insincere at best and lacking in self-awareness at worst.

Alternatively, yous don't desire to respond with weaknesses that will prevent you from succeeding in the role. For example, if y'all'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 volition assistance you demonstrate your value as a candidate. Here, nosotros'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. Choose a weakness that will not foreclose you lot from succeeding in the role.
2. Be honest and cull a existent weakness.
3. Provide an instance of how y'all've worked to improve upon your weakness or learn a new skill to combat the result.
4. Demonstrate cocky-awareness and an ability to look to others to provide you with the resource necessary for growth.
5. Don't be arrogant and don't underestimate yourself.

1. Choose a weakness that will not prevent yous from succeeding in the office.

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

• Whether you lot have a salubrious level of self-awareness
• Whether you tin be open and honest, particularly virtually shortcomings
• Whether you pursue self-comeback and growth opportunities to combat these bug, equally opposed to letting these weaknesses concord y'all back

Ultimately, you'll desire to use this question to demonstrate how you've used a weakness as motivation to learn a new skill or abound professionally. Anybody has weaknesses — your interviewer doesn't look you to be perfect.

If you're applying for a copywriting position with little necessity for math skills, you might acknowledge, "I struggle with numbers, and don't accept much experience with data analytics. While math is not directly tied to my role as a writer, I believe it's of import to accept a rudimentary agreement 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 director that you recognize your areas for growth and are able to act on them without being told to practice so. This kind of self-starter attitude is a plus for virtually any squad.

ii. Be honest and cull a existent weakness.

The answer "perfectionism" won't cut it when talking about your biggest weakness because information technology'south not a real weakness. Perfectionism can never be attained — it's a fear-based pattern that leads to short-term rewards like getting the job done early and exceeding expectations. Nevertheless, in the long-term, trying to attain perfectionism leads to burnout, depression-quality work, and missed deadlines. Burnout is 1 of the biggest contributors to decreased productivity, turnover, and low employee engagement — all of which toll a company coin, time, and talent.

Instead, choose a real weakness. Underneath the desire to practise perfect work may prevarication a weakness of trust. Maybe yous don't trust that you'll be able to make mistakes on the team, so yous strive to do everything perfectly. That's a real weakness that y'all tin definitely overcome.

three. Provide an instance of how you've worked to ameliorate upon your weakness or learn a new skill to combat the issue.

Hiring managers don't expect you to overcome your weaknesses completely overnight. Everyone has areas they must constantly piece of work on to keep them sharp. Think of it this way — if you've defended six months to working out, you won't exist able to terminate ane solar day and maintain your progress. Information technology'due south an ongoing procedure that y'all have to work at.

4. Think near weaknesses in your own personal life.

If y'all humanize yourself in the interview, it'll allow your interviewer to connect and visualize working with you lot in the time to come. It's not only virtually weaknesses that pertain to the chore. For example, if you are an introvert and y'all observe 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 you understand that self-improvement correlates to work performance.

v. Think of where yous'd like to be and what support you demand to go in that location.

Overall, growth is a part of life. Recall about people you expect up to that may be related to the field that y'all're in. Ask yourself what grapheme traits those people have and what piece of work you might demand to practice in order to get at that place. By providing an example of how you lot're working to improve your area of weakness, y'all'll give the interviewer a glimpse into a few positive attributes near 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 perhaps others on the team face up, which means you can be an immediate resource to the squad.

• You demonstrate self-sensation and an power to take feedback from others.

Generally, y'all're going to need to expect outside of yourself to overcome a weakness. Whether you await to your supervisor, the HubSpot Web log, or a mentor for aid, the simple human activity of seeking assistance demonstrates self-awareness and resourcefulness — two skills that are hard to teach, only 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 instance of a fourth dimension when y'all asked someone for help in an area that you lot've identified as a weakness. This gives the hiring team a articulate picture of how you'll work with the team to balance out that weakness.

6. 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 answer. (If lack of conviction is your weakness, keep reading.) Fifty-fifty if y'all're not the almost confident person, I'chiliad going to assume you're at to the lowest degree honest with yourself. If you've identified an surface area of weakness and you're sure most it, let that balls smoothen through in your answer. At that place's no need to feel embarrassed virtually something you're genuinely not expert at every bit long as yous're working to get better.

Before y'all start expressing a genuine weakness to your interviewer, get comfortable with the types of answers that make hiring managers want to work with you lot. Take a look at the following examples and observe a few that fit your personality and work manner. And then, practice reciting them aloud and then they come naturally to you.

Prepare? 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 System
3. Problem with Delegation
4. Timidity
5. Lack of Tactfulness
6. Fear of Public Speaking
7. Weak Data Assay Skills
8. Indecisiveness
9. Harsh Self-Criticism
10. Micromanaging
11. Talkative
12. Trouble with Work-Life Balance

i. Lack of Patience

Sample Respond:

"I don't have much patience when working with a team — I am incredibly self-sufficient, so information technology'southward hard when I demand to rely on others to complete my piece of work. That's why I've pursued roles that require someone to work independently. Even so, I've also worked to improve this weakness past enrolling in squad-building workshops. While I typically work independently, it's important I learn how to trust my coworkers and ask for outside help 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 it's a chore that doesn't rely on teamwork to succeed. Additionally, y'all display an eagerness to develop strategies to gainsay your weakness, which is a critical skill in the workplace.

two. Lack of Organization

Sample Answer:

" I struggle with organisation. While it hasn't ever impacted my operation, I've noticed my messy desk-bound and cluttered inbox still interfere with my efficiency. Over time, I've learned to set aside time to organize my physical and digital space, and I've seen it improve my efficiency levels throughout the calendar week."

Plenty of people have messy desks. This respond works considering it's a relatable and fixable weakness. You note that disorganization doesn't interfere with your ability to practise your chore, which is critical, but you likewise admit it might brand you less efficient. To ensure yous're performing at 100%, you mention personal steps you've taken to better your organization skills for the sake of cocky-improvement alone, which suggests a level of maturity and self-sensation.

three. Trouble with Delegation

Sample Answer:

"I sometimes find it difficult to delegate responsibleness when I feel I tin stop the task well myself. Yet, when I became managing director in my final role, it became critical I learn to delegate tasks. To maintain a sense of control when delegating tasks, I implemented a projection direction organisation to oversee the progress of a project. This organisation enabled me to improve my ability to delegate efficiently."

This answer allows you 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, yous 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 function, despite your weakness.

iv. Timidity

Sample Reply:

"Oftentimes, I can be timid when providing effective feedback to coworkers or managers, out of fright of pain someone's 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 experience with him, I realized feedback can be both helpful and kind when delivered the right style. Since and so, I've get better at offer feedback, and I've realized that I can use empathy to provide thoughtful, productive feedback."

This answer works because you've explained how you were able to plough a weakness into a strength through real-world feel. Typically, timidity can exist seen equally a flaw in the workplace, particularly if a role requires someone to provide feedback to others. In this instance, yous're able to demonstrate how timidity can be used as a forcefulness, through thoughtful reflection and practice.

five. Lack of Tactfulness

Sample Reply:

"My blunt, straightforward nature has allowed me to succeed over the years as a squad manager, considering I'm able to get things washed efficiently, and people often appreciate my honesty. However, I've recognized my bluntness doesn't always serve my employees well when I'thousand 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 tin can aid us in certain areas of our piece of work, while hindering us in others. That'southward natural. However, you must demonstrate an ability to recognize when your personality interferes with the functions of your part, and how y'all tin can solve for that.

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

6. Fear of Public Speaking

Sample Answer:

"Public speaking makes me nervous. While I don't need to do much public speaking in my role equally a web designer, I all the same feel that information technology'south an of import skill — peculiarly when I want to offer my opinion during a meeting. To gainsay this, I spoke with my director and she recommended I speak at each squad meeting for a few minutes well-nigh our project timeline, deadlines, and goals when developing a website for a client. This practice has enabled me to relax and encounter public speaking as an opportunity to aid my squad members practise their jobs finer."

In this example, y'all mention a skill that isn't applicative to the role, simply 1 which you lot nonetheless accept been working to ameliorate. This shows your desire to meet more business needs than necessary in your current office, which is admirable. Additionally, information technology's impressive if you can testify you're willing to reach out to your manager with areas in which you lot want to improve, instead of waiting for your manager to suggest those areas of improvement to y'all. It demonstrates a level of appetite and professional maturity.

7. Weak Data Assay Skills

Sample Answer:

"I'm non great at analyzing data or numbers. However, I recognize this flaw can prevent me from agreement how my content is performing online. In my final function, I set monthly meetings with the SEO manager to talk over analytics and how our posts were performing. Additionally, I received my Google Analytics certificate, and I make it a bespeak to analyze information related to our weblog regularly. I've become much more than comfortable analyzing data through these efforts."

In this case, you're able to show your desire to go above and beyond a job description and actively seek out skills that could exist helpful to the success of your company every bit a whole. This blazon of company-first mentality shows the interviewer you're dedicated to making yourself a valuable asset, and try your best to sympathise the needs of the whole department, rather than just your role.

8. Indecisiveness

Sample Answer:

"Sometimes I struggle with ambiguity and making decisions when directions aren't articulate. I come from a work environment that e'er gave articulate and direct instructions. I had such a stiff team and leadership that I haven't had much exercise making decisions in the heat of the moment. I'm working on this by leaning more than into my feel and practicing listening to my gut."

This answer works because you lot're demonstrating that yous tin can both follow a leader and sharpen your leadership skills. Information technology's alright to non know what to exercise in the moment. Albeit that you lot relied on potent leadership shows that you lot can exist a follower when needed, but knowing when to step up is important, too. With this respond, you're showing that you lot'll stride upwards if a situation calls for decisiveness.

ix. Harsh Self-Criticism

Sample Reply:

"My inner critic can exist debilitating at times. I take pride in producing good work, just I experience similar I struggle feeling satisfied with it, which has led to burnout in the past. Withal, I've started to push back against this inner vocalisation by taking care of myself before and subsequently work. I'g also learning to recognize when my inner critic is right and when I need to dismiss it."

This answer works because your interviewer may relate; we all take harsh inner critics. It's also constructive considering 1) It shows that y'all're willing to work on your weaknesses outside of piece of work, not only during business organisation hours, and two) Information technology demonstrates your inner critic may have valid points. Discerning when to dismiss it is cardinal to forbid exhaustion and increment productivity. Realizing how the inner critic may inhibit good piece of 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 piece of work ethic in my employees. This mode of training has been so ingrained in me that I've forgotten to discern who may demand that coaching and who does non. I've been reading books on constructive delegation and team building to work on this shortcoming. One technique that works for me is assuring myself that if I establish clear expectations, and then my squad will follow. I've besides learned to trust my squad members."

This reply works all-time if you've been in a leadership position before and are applying to a managerial part. However, yous tin can still apply it to past experiences where you lot did have to testify leadership. This respond shows that while you may be used to running your coiffure or team a specific way, y'all're willing to admit when your method isn't the well-nigh constructive. Showing your flexibility demonstrates your power to grow.

11. Talkative

Sample Answer:

"I enjoy developing a relationship with my coworkers past engaging in conversation, and that's a great team-building skill. However, I have a habit of conveying on a conversation to a point 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'one thousand asking near their day, I need to keep information technology brief and redirect myself back to my work. "This answer works because it shows you're aware of how your talkative tendencies may be distracting in the workplace. It takes a lot of courage to acknowledge that. It also shows you lot are willing to develop a relationship with coworkers but not at the cost of productivity.

12. Trouble Maintaining a Piece of work-Life Residuum

Sample Answer:

"I've struggled with work-life balance, specially after I started working remotely during the pandemic. This increased my stress levels to the signal where my productivity was at an all-time low and I didn't bring my best self to piece of work. Considering I want to go on working remotely, I've started adding more structure to my day and instituted a abrupt start and end time. I've already seen improvements in my levels of focus during work hours."

At outset, this might seem like a "strength" weakness — pouring yourself into work is great, right? That means you lot love your job. Only if it impacts your productivity and your relationships with coworkers, that is not so neat. This answer works because it doesn't just say, "I work a lot, so my habitation life suffers." Information technology says, "I work a lot to the point 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'south of import to land how you'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 grouping settings, there's a strength behind every weakness. The force is in how y'all work to overcome it. Leaning on your teammates who excel in those areas is a great style to show that yous'll work well on the team and that you know how to use your resources to solve bug. Taking professional evolution courses shows that you lot're willing to work toward improvement. No matter which of these answers yous share with the hiring team, they'll exist more than happy to help you abound and exceed the expectations of the function.

Editor's annotation: This mail was originally published in Dec 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

 

Originally published Dec xiv, 2021 vii:00:00 AM, updated March 09 2022

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Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/what-is-your-greatest-weakness