One of the trickiest interview questions that you are likely going to be asked is “what are your weaknesses?” it is a very tricky question because is it very easy for candidates to give dishonest answers.
Many candidates are unsure which particular answer to give that best answers the question “what are your weaknesses?” when asked. Preparing ahead of time for this question is very important because you are not likely going to escape it in your next interview.
In this guide, we will be going o teach you how to perfectly answer what are your weaknesses question in an interview and examples to back it up.
What are Your Weaknesses?
At some point during an interview, you may be asked “what are your weaknesses?” You should never respond with weaknesses that will prevent you from being effective in the role you are applying for.
Hiring managers know that you have weaknesses. They too have. Infarct, everybody in this world has weaknesses. But you should only choose weaknesses on your list that does not match the job offer.
For example, You are applying for an accounting position, you should never say one of your weaknesses is calculation or math.
Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question?
What are your weaknesses is also one of the most common questions that interviews asked. Since it is very common you are likely going to be asked, there are reasons why interviewers tend to ask this question in an interview.
The reasons they ask this question are:
1. Whether you are aware of the weaknesses: You are not supposed to say you don’t have any weaknesses. They know you have but they want to be aware of what they are and if it might affect you when hired. Don’t be too fast to give answers – you might end up giving answers that will affect you in the position.
2. Whether you are honest about it: You should avoid giving cliché as your answers. Be free to say your answers but be mindful of the position you are applying for.
3. Whether you are improving or seek to improve: Hiring managers are always pleased with those that give answers that they are trying to work on their weaknesses. So you should find a way to work on your weaknesses and improve them.
How to Answer What are Your Weaknesses
Everyone has weaknesses including the person that will be interviewing you. Before you go for any interview you should list down all your weaknesses and be aware of them.
Secondly, you should go through the job description to know all the required skills (both technical and soft) so that you won’t say weaknesses that will affect you in the position.
Also Read: What Are Your Career Goals? (5 Perfect Example Answer)
Answers to What are Your Weaknesses Questions
Below are some answers to what are your weaknesses. This should give you an idea of how to go about answering g yours when asked in an interview.
What are your weaknesses? Answer #1
“Numbers have not always been my strong suit. Fortunately, as a copywriter, I can focus most of my time on the creative process of writing. However, in recent years I have begun to familiarize myself with the digital analytics tools used in the various websites and apps I write for, and I have found that when you add context, “numbers” can actually be quite enlightening.”
What are your weaknesses? Answer #2
“My greatest weakness is that I sometimes have a hard time letting go of a project. I’m the biggest critic of my work, and I can always find something that needs to be improved or changed. To help myself improve in this area, I give myself deadlines for revisions. This helps ensure I’m not making changes at the last minute.”
What are your weaknesses? Answer #3
“Oftentimes, I can be timid when providing constructive feedback to coworkers or managers, out of fear of hurting someone’s feelings. However, in my last role, my coworker asked me to edit some of his pieces and provide feedback for areas of improvement. Through my experience with him, I realized feedback can be both helpful and kind when delivered the right way. Since then I’ve become better at offering feedback, and I’ve realized that my empathy can be used to my advantage to provide thoughtful, productive feedback.”
What are your weaknesses? Answer #4
“I struggle with organization. While it hasn’t ever impacted my performance, I’ve noticed my messy desk and cluttered inbox nonetheless could 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 week.”
What are your weaknesses? Answer #5
“I would say my greatest weakness is my writing skills. I’ve always been a technical, math person. I like crunching numbers. But when it comes to words I get tongue-tied and forget the rules. I’ve started using Grammar apps to make sure my emails are correct. The app gives the activity a tech feel, which makes the whole thing more comfortable for me as well.”
What are your weaknesses? Answer #6
“I default to believing that I can solve any problem on my own. This works well in some situations, but in many cases, I need the help of others to overcome factors beyond my control. In one instance last year, I was spearheading a client event that had a lot of moving parts. It wasn’t until after the event that I realized how narrowly I had pulled it off. I was trying to manage everything from the strategic plan down to the tiniest details, like table settings. I did a lot of self-reflection afterwards. Since then, I’ve been training myself to take a step back before diving into problem-solving mode and identify people or groups that can be resources to me.”
What are your weaknesses? Answer #7
“Although I always met my deadlines, I used to have a problem with procrastination, and I’d end up working really long days as a deadline approached. I decided that I needed to deal with the issue, so I took classes on project management and time management. I learned how to organize my days and attack bigger projects in manageable chunks. Now, I put together a plan as soon as I get a new assignment, and I often beat my deadlines.”
Photo credit – Getty Images
Now it’s Your Turn
This is it on my guide on answering what are your weaknesses questions in an interview
Hope you found it helpful?
Is answer #3 your favourite? Or which one is?
What do you think are your weaknesses?
Feel free to use the comment box below