How to Answer: "What are your weaknesses?" in an Interview (2024)

2.1

Answer strategically.

In your answer to "What are your weaknesses?", it's important not to mention a real weakness. In other words, you want to mention a skill or trait that is not critical to the position you are interviewing for.

For example, if you're applying for a job in customer service, you do not want to mention that you "don't have great people skills." Furthermore, you should not select a random weakness, e.g., "I'm a perfectionist," which could come off as too scripted.

2.2

Give an example of how you have used this weakness to grow professionally.

How to Answer: "What are your weaknesses?" in an Interview (2)

Your "weakness" should be an example or story of how you have struggled with an aspect of work, and how you corrected or overcame that weakness in your professional life. This tells your employer that you're a good fit for the role by emphasizing your ability to find solutions to problems.

If you are actively working on overcoming a particular weakness, be sure to explain your plan-of-action during the interview.

How to Answer: "What are your weaknesses?" in an Interview (2024)

FAQs

How to Answer: "What are your weaknesses?" in an Interview? ›

A: When answering, focus on your relevant skills, experience, and achievements that make you the best fit for the role.You should hire me because I am a hard worker who wants to help your company succeed. I have the skills and experience needed for the job, and I am eager to learn and grow with your team .

What are three examples of weaknesses? ›

Here are some weaknesses that you might select from for your response:
  • Self-critical.
  • Insecure.
  • Disorganized.
  • Prone to procrastination.
  • Uncomfortable with public speaking.
  • Uncomfortable with delegating tasks.
  • Risk-averse.
  • Competitive.
Jan 5, 2024

What are your 5 strengths and weaknesses? ›

List of common strengths and weaknesses
StrengthWeakness
Creative Versatile Disciplined Proactive Honest Dedicated Fast Learner Self-awareSelf-critical Insecure Extremely Introverted Extremely Extroverted Too detail-oriented Too sensitive Impatience Difficulty delegating tasks
Nov 24, 2022

How to answer what are your weaknesses and strengths in an interview? ›

6 Tips to Talk About Your Weaknesses
  1. Be honest, but tactful. ...
  2. Talk about self-improvement. ...
  3. Show willingness to learn. ...
  4. Highlight strengths. ...
  5. Be specific. ...
  6. Practice your response.

Why should we hire you? ›

A: When answering, focus on your relevant skills, experience, and achievements that make you the best fit for the role.You should hire me because I am a hard worker who wants to help your company succeed. I have the skills and experience needed for the job, and I am eager to learn and grow with your team .

Why do they ask what is your weakness? ›

A common (yet often dreaded) interview question is, “What is your weakness?” because who wants to talk about what they aren't good at? However, employers often ask this question to better understand who you are as a candidate, how you'll fit in the role, and where they may need to support you if they hire you.

What is the most common weakness? ›

What are your weaknesses?
  • Getting caught up in details.
  • Unable to let go of projects.
  • Trouble saying “no” to others.
  • Managing missed deadlines.
  • Little experience in certain areas.
  • Lacking confidence at times.
  • Difficulty asking for help.
  • Working with certain personalities.
Apr 8, 2024

What is your weakness best answer self-critical? ›

Sample Answer: “I tend to be overly critical of my work, which sometimes affects my confidence and decision-making. I've realized that while it's important to strive for excellence, being too self-critical can be counterproductive.

What is a positive spin on a weakness? ›

That's why it's important to put a positive spin on your weakness. For example, if your weakness is that you're too harsh on yourself, you can say that it's because you want to work on self-improvement. You can also explain how you're trying to correct this by saying you've worked on recognizing your accomplishments.

What should I put for weaknesses in a performance review? ›

26) Does not meet expectations or barely meets expectations. 27) Seems unmotivated in doing their work and uninterested in achieving their professional goals. 28) Makes no significant contributions to team success or company goals.

How to answer tell me about yourself? ›

The best way to answer "Tell me about yourself" is with a brief highlight-summary of your experience, your education, the value you bring to an employer, and the reason you're looking forward to learning more about this next job and the opportunity to work with them.

What is your strongest weakness answer? ›

Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.

How do you describe yourself? ›

Sample answers:

I am a hard-working and driven individual who isn't afraid to face a challenge. I'm passionate about my work and I know how to get the job done. I would describe myself as an open and honest person who doesn't believe in misleading other people and tries to be fair in everything I do.

How to answer the question "Why should we choose you?"? ›

Here are some additional examples to build your response to “Why should we hire you?”:
  1. You have a passion for the work and proven abilities.
  2. You have differentiated experience in this field.
  3. You have exceptional drive and determination to succeed.
  4. You have unique skills that separate you from other candidates.
Jul 31, 2023

What are the employee weak points? ›

Six Examples of Employee Weaknesses
  • Procrastination and Time Management Issues. Juan tends to procrastinate on tasks and struggles to manage his time efficiently. ...
  • Difficulty in Adapting to Change. ...
  • Inability to Effectively Delegate. ...
  • Lack of Confidence in Decision-Making. ...
  • Poor Communication Skills. ...
  • Limited Attention to Detail.
Mar 22, 2024

Is it bad to say you lack confidence in an interview? ›

Even if a lack of confidence is your weakness, it is important to be honest and self-assured in your answer. Embrace your self-awareness and demonstrate your commitment to personal growth. To prepare, familiarise yourself with examples of answers that showcase your strengths and willingness to improve.

What are the three greatest strengths? ›

Here are the TOP 15 Strengths that will allow you to STANDOUT in your job interview.
  • 1) Ability to Multitask. ...
  • 2) Effectively Work In HIGHLY Pressurized Situations. ...
  • 3) Attention to Detail. ...
  • 4) Ability to COLLABORATE. ...
  • 5) Resourceful. ...
  • 6) Empathetic. ...
  • 7) Self Motivated. ...
  • 8) Take Initiative.
May 11, 2023

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