And 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 telephone screen. All there'southward left to practice now is to win over the hiring director in the face-to-face interview.

As a well-informed candidate, you're doing your research on the visitor and preparing your answers to the most important interview questions you tin can think of — the most notorious of them all being: "What is your greatest weakness?"

Free Kit: Everything You Need for Your Job Search You lot don't want to respond, "I tend to piece of work as well difficult," or "I am also much of a perfectionist." That can easily run into every bit scripted and insincere at all-time and lacking in self-awareness at worst.

Alternatively, y'all don't want to respond with weaknesses that will prevent you lot from succeeding in the role. For instance, if you lot're applying to exist a projection manager, you lot don't want to admit that you lot're "non very expert with time direction."

Fortunately, there are ways to answer this question that will help 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 prevent you from succeeding in the role.
  2. Be honest and choose a existent weakness.
  3. Provide an example of how you've worked to improve upon your weakness or acquire a new skill to combat the effect.
  4. Demonstrate self-sensation and an ability to look to others to provide you with the resources necessary for growth.
  5. Don't be arrogant and don't underestimate yourself.

1. Choose a weakness that will not forestall y'all from succeeding in the office.

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

  • Whether y'all have a healthy level of cocky-awareness
  • Whether yous can be open up and honest, especially virtually shortcomings
  • Whether you pursue self-comeback and growth opportunities to combat these issues, as opposed to letting these weaknesses hold yous back

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

If y'all're applying for a copywriting position with picayune necessity for math skills, you might admit, "I struggle with numbers, and don't accept much experience with data analytics. While math is not directly tied to my function as a writer, I believe information technology'due south important to accept 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 like this shows the hiring manager that you recognize your areas for growth and are able to act on them without being told to exercise and so. This kind of self-starter attitude is a plus for virtually any team.

2. Exist honest and cull a real weakness.

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

Instead, choose a real weakness. Underneath the desire to practise perfect work may lie a weakness of trust. Perhaps yous don't trust that you lot'll be able to make mistakes on the squad, so you strive to do everything perfectly. That'due south a real weakness that you lot tin can definitely overcome.

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

Hiring managers don't wait you to overcome your weaknesses completely overnight. Everyone has areas they must constantly work on to go on them abrupt. Think of it this mode — if you lot've dedicated half-dozen months to working out, yous won't be able to stop one day and maintain your progress. It'due south an ongoing procedure that you lot have to work at.

4. Think well-nigh weaknesses in your ain personal life.

If you humanize yourself in the interview, it'll permit your interviewer to connect and visualize working with you in the future. It'southward not just near weaknesses that pertain to the job. For example, if you are an introvert and you observe your preference for quiet time stops you from taking risks, this is a relatable weakness. When you demonstrate your self-sensation this way, it shows you understand that self-improvement correlates to work functioning.

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

Overall, growth is a part of life. Retrieve about people you wait up to that may be related to the field that yous're in. Inquire yourself what character traits those people have and what work you might demand to practise in order to get at that place. By providing an case of how you're working to improve your area of weakness, you lot'll give the interviewer a glimpse into a few positive attributes about your awareness, including that:

  • Yous know how to identify and mitigate bug that come up.
  • You've found a helpful solution to a problem that you lot and perhaps others on the team confront, which means you can be an immediate resource to the squad.

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

More than often than non, yous're going to demand to look exterior of yourself to overcome a weakness. Whether yous look to your supervisor, the HubSpot Blog, or a mentor for help, the simple act of seeking assistance demonstrates self-awareness and resourcefulness — ii skills that are hard to teach, but valuable to larn. Tapping into your resources shows the interviewers that you lot can solve problems when the answer is not nonetheless clear. That's a grapheme trait that has a place on any squad.

Briefly share an example of a time when you asked someone for help in an expanse that you lot've identified every bit a weakness. This gives the hiring squad a clear picture of how you'll work with the team to residue out that weakness.

6. Don't be arrogant and don't underestimate yourself.

The most important affair you tin practise when responding to the question "What is your greatest weakness?" is exhibit confidence in your reply. (If lack of confidence is your weakness, keep reading.) Even if you're not the most confident person, I'thou going to assume you lot're at least honest with yourself. If yous've identified an area of weakness and you're certain almost information technology, let that assurance shine through in your answer. There'southward no need to feel embarrassed about something you're genuinely non good at as long as y'all're working to get better.

Before you kickoff expressing a 18-carat weakness to your interviewer, become comfy with the types of answers that brand hiring managers want to work with you lot. Accept a wait at the following examples and find a few that fit your personality and work style. And then, practice reciting them aloud and then they come naturally to you.

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

List of Weaknesses for Task Interview

  1. Lack of Patience
  2. Lack of Organization
  3. Trouble with Delegation
  4. Timidity
  5. Lack of Tactfulness
  6. Fright of Public Speaking
  7. Weak Data Assay Skills
  8. Indecisiveness
  9. Harsh Self-Criticism
  10. Micromanaging
  11. Talkative
  12. Trouble with Work-Life Balance

one. Lack of Patience

Sample Answer:

"I don't take much patience when working with a team — I am incredibly cocky-sufficient, and so it's difficult when I need to rely on others to complete my work. That's why I've pursued roles that crave someone to work independently. However, I've also worked to improve this weakness past enrolling in squad-edifice workshops. While I typically piece of work independently, it's important I larn how to trust my coworkers and ask for exterior help when necessary."

This answer works because the weakness — the disability to be patient when working with a squad — doesn't hinder your ability to perform well in the function, since it'due south a job 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.

two. Lack of Organization

Sample Answer:

" I struggle with organization. While information technology hasn't ever impacted my performance, I've noticed my messy desk and cluttered inbox nonetheless interfere with my efficiency. Over time, I've learned to ready aside time to organize my physical and digital infinite, and I've seen it amend my efficiency levels throughout the week."

Plenty of people take messy desks. This reply works considering it's a relatable and fixable weakness. You note that disorganization doesn't interfere with your ability to do your job, which is disquisitional, but y'all also admit it might brand you less efficient. To ensure you lot're performing at 100%, you lot mention personal steps yous've taken to amend your organization skills for the sake of self-comeback alone, which suggests a level of maturity and self-awareness.

3. Trouble with Delegation

Sample Answer:

"I sometimes detect it hard to delegate responsibility when I experience I can cease the task well myself. However, when I became director in my last role, information technology became critical I learn to delegate tasks. To maintain a sense of control when delegating tasks, I implemented a project management arrangement to oversee the progress of a project. This organisation enabled me to better my power to delegate efficiently."

This answer allows you to demonstrate an ability to pursue a new skill when a part calls for it and suggests you lot're capable of flexibility, which is critical for long-term growth. Additionally, y'all 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 by office, despite your weakness.

4. Timidity

Sample Answer:

"Oftentimes, I can be timid when providing constructive feedback to coworkers or managers, out of fearfulness of pain someone's feelings. However, in my last office, 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 tin exist both helpful and kind when delivered the right style. Since and then, I've go better at offering feedback, and I've realized that I can utilise empathy to provide thoughtful, productive feedback."

This reply works because you lot've explained how you were able to plough a weakness into a forcefulness through existent-world experience. Typically, timidity tin be seen equally a flaw in the workplace, particularly if a role requires someone to provide feedback to others. In this case, yous're able to demonstrate how timidity can be used every bit a strength, through thoughtful reflection and exercise.

5. Lack of Tactfulness

Sample Answer:

"My blunt, straightforward nature has immune me to succeed over the years as a team director, because I'thou able to get things done efficiently, and people frequently appreciate my honesty. Nonetheless, I've recognized my bluntness doesn't always serve my employees well when I'grand delivering feedback. To combat this, I've worked to develop empathy and deeper relationships with those I manage. Additionally, I took an online leadership direction course, and worked with the professor to develop my ability to deliver feedback."

Oftentimes, facets of our personalities can help united states of america in certain areas of our work, while hindering u.s.a. in others. That'southward natural. Withal, y'all must demonstrate an ability to recognize when your personality interferes with the functions of your office, and how you lot tin can solve for that.

In this case, y'all outset explain how your blunt nature allows you lot to be successful in sure situations. So, you lot mention that you lot understand your bluntness can be seen as a lack of empathy and provide examples of how you lot've attempted to solve this consequence. Ultimately, your awareness of how you might be perceived past others shows a level of emotional intelligence, which is a critical asset for a squad leader.

6. Fearfulness of Public Speaking

Sample Answer:

"Public speaking makes me nervous. While I don't need to do much public speaking in my part as a web designer, I nevertheless experience that information technology's an important skill — especially when I desire to offer my opinion during a meeting. To gainsay this, I spoke with my managing director and she recommended I speak at each team meeting for a few minutes about our project timeline, deadlines, and goals when developing a website for a client. This practice has enabled me to relax and come across public speaking as an opportunity to assistance my team members do their jobs finer."

In this case, you mention a skill that isn't applicable to the role, only one which yous even so have been working to improve. This shows your desire to meet more business organisation needs than necessary in your electric current role, which is beauteous. Additionally, it'south impressive if y'all can bear witness you lot're willing to reach out to your director with areas in which you want to improve, instead of waiting for your manager to suggest those areas of improvement to y'all. It demonstrates a level of ambition and professional person maturity.

vii. Weak Data Analysis Skills

Sample Answer:

"I'm not swell at analyzing data or numbers. However, I recognize this flaw can prevent me from understanding how my content is performing online. In my last role, I ready monthly meetings with the SEO managing director to talk over analytics and how our posts were performing. Additionally, I received my Google Analytics certificate, and I make information technology a signal to clarify data related to our blog regularly. I've become much more than comfy analyzing data through these efforts."

In this instance, yous're able to prove your desire to become in a higher place and beyond a task description 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 yous're dedicated to making yourself a valuable asset, and try your all-time to understand the needs of the whole department, rather than just your function.

eight. Indecisiveness

Sample Answer:

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

This answer works because you're demonstrating that y'all can both follow a leader and sharpen your leadership skills. It's alright to not know what to do in the moment. Admitting that you relied on strong leadership shows that you can be a follower when needed, but knowing when to footstep upwards is important, too. With this reply, you're showing that y'all'll step up if a situation calls for decisiveness.

9. Harsh Cocky-Criticism

Sample Answer:

"My inner critic tin be debilitating at times. I have pride in producing skilful work, just I feel like I struggle feeling satisfied with it, which has led to exhaustion in the by. However, I've started to push back confronting this inner voice past taking care of myself before and after work. I'yard besides learning to recognize when my inner critic is right and when I demand to dismiss it."

This answer works because your interviewer may relate; we all have harsh inner critics. It'south besides constructive because 1) It shows that yous're willing to work on your weaknesses outside of work, not just during concern hours, and 2) It demonstrates your inner critic may have valid points. Discerning when to dismiss information technology is central to foreclose burnout and increase productivity. Realizing how the inner critic may inhibit good work ethic demonstrates your willingness to grow 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 style of training has been and then ingrained in me that I've forgotten to discern who may demand that coaching and who does not. I've been reading books on effective delegation and team building to work on this shortcoming. One technique that works for me is assuring myself that if I establish clear expectations, so my team will follow. I've also learned to trust my team members."

This answer works best if you lot've been in a leadership position earlier and are applying to a managerial role. Nevertheless, you lot tin still apply it to past experiences where you did have to show leadership. This respond shows that while you may be used to running your coiffure or team a specific style, you're willing to acknowledge when your method isn't the most constructive. Showing your flexibility demonstrates your ability to grow.

11. Talkative

Sample Answer:

"I enjoy developing a relationship with my coworkers by engaging in chat, and that's a great squad-building skill. However, I accept a habit of carrying on a conversation to a point where it may distract other coworkers. I take learned since then that in that location are other means to connect with my coworkers, and that if I'grand asking about their twenty-four hour period, I demand to go on it brief and redirect myself back to my piece of work. "This answer works because information technology shows you're aware of how your talkative tendencies may be distracting in the workplace. It takes a lot of backbone to admit that. It also shows you are willing to develop a relationship with coworkers but not at the cost of productivity.

12. Trouble Maintaining a Work-Life Rest

Sample Reply:

"I've struggled with work-life rest, 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 all-time cocky to work. Because I want to continue working remotely, I've started adding more structure to my day and instituted a sharp start and finish fourth dimension. I've already seen improvements in my levels of focus during work hours."

At first, this might seem like a "strength" weakness — pouring yourself into work is great, right? That ways you honey your job. Simply if it impacts your productivity and your relationships with coworkers, that is not and then great. This respond works because it doesn't merely say, "I work a lot, then my home life suffers." Information technology says, "I work a lot to the point of exhaustion, and I've realized that I demand to construction my twenty-four hours." If you've struggled with work-life remainder problems in the past, it's important to state how y'all're restoring that balance and how information technology has impacted your work.

At that place'due south Strength In Every Weakness

Regardless of whether you're bad with numbers or yous tend not to speak up in group settings, there's a force backside every weakness. The forcefulness is in how you work to overcome information technology. Leaning on your teammates who excel in those areas is a dandy manner to show that you'll work well on the squad and that you lot know how to use your resources to solve bug. Taking professional person development courses shows that yous're willing to work toward improvement. No matter which of these answers you share with the hiring squad, they'll be more than happy to aid you grow and exceed the expectations of the office.

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

  Apply for a job, keep track of important information, and prepare for an interview with the help of this free job seekers kit.

Apply for a job, keep track of important information, and prepare for an interview with the help of this free job seekers kit.

Originally published Dec 14, 2021 7:00:00 AM, updated March 09 2022