What Are Your Greatest Strengths And Weaknesses
” Francine responds, “My strength is that I’m a hard worker. My weakness is that I get stressed when I miss a deadline because someone else dropped the ball.” This answer is unimaginative, a no-brainer.
Why should we hire you examples? Make his job easier by convincing him that: You can do the work and deliver exceptional results. You will fit in beautifully and be a great addition to the team. You possess a combination of skills and experience that make you stand out from the crowd. Hiring you will make him look smart and make his life easier.
Answering Whats Your Greatest Weakness: Quick Review
If you read the full article you now know why hiring managers ask, whats your greatest weakness.
And you know why the typical answer most people are giving is *not* going to impress them.
You also know the two-step formula to come up with a great answer that WILL stand out and make them want to offer you the job.
If you missed that, make sure to go back up and get familiar with the two-step answer formula for giving a real weakness and then explaining how youve overcome it. Thats by far the BEST way to answer what is your greatest weakness? or what are your weaknesses? in the interview.
If you give this type of answer instead of the typical fake weakness , youre going to build a much better connection with the hiring manager and theyll really appreciate the thoughtful, genuine answer you came up with.
This is how you stand out in the interview and make yourself memorable, which will get you more job offers.
Any time you can avoid giving a cookie-cutter, common interview answer and say something unique, youre a step closer to being memorable, being appreciated, and getting on the interviewers good side.
Id highly recommend going into each interview prepared to share at least one detailed weakness example using the two-step method from this article.
More interview questions about strengths and weaknesses:
Demonstrate What Youre Doing To Overcome This Weakness
After giving a real weakness in your answer, you want to show how efforts youre making and/or recent improvement that youve achieved in this skill.
Thats going to impress any company. You want to show that youre working actively to prevent this weakness from being a long-lasting problem, and either turning it into one of your strengths or at least putting some focus on addressing the area.
And you want to show the company that youre making sure it will not negatively impact your work in future jobs you take.
You can point to a piece of experience on your resume that helped you strengthen this weak area, you can mention recent tasks or projects that offered you a chance at improvement, or how you struggled in the past but have done much better recently.
See the sample answers below for how a full answer will sound in the interview.
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Example Weaknesses You Can Use In An Interview
The key to preparing for this question is to identify the weaknesses that still communicate your strengths. This shows the interviewer that you can analyse your abilities and find areas of opportunity where there is room for growth. Here are a few examples of weaknesses you can mention in an interview:
I Can Have Trouble Asking For Help
Asking for help is a necessary skill both when you are lacking expertise in a certain area and when you are feeling burned out or cannot handle your workload. Knowing when and how to ask for help shows strong self-awareness and helps the organization by getting ahead of a possible inefficiency. While having a strong work ethic and being independent are positive qualities, the business should know when to ask for help.
If you know it has been difficult to ask for help in the past, explain why you know it is beneficial and the ways you have tried to improve this skill.
Example:Because I am independent and enjoy working quickly, it has been difficult for me to ask for help when I need it. I have learned that it is much more beneficial both for me and the business to reach out when I do not understand something or feel burned out with my workload.
I also understand that many experts around me have specific knowledge and skills that can make my work better. While I am still working on it, I have been able to produce more high-quality work as a result of getting help from those around me.
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I Sometimes Have Trouble Asking For Help
Whilst you may want to solve problems at work on your own, it can be your weakness. Being independent is a positive quality for many jobs, but it’s best to know when to ask for help to make sure tasks are done well and on-time. If you’re using this as your weakness, explain that you understand why asking for help is a good idea and how you’re trying to get better at it.
Example**:** ‘Because I am independent and enjoy figuring out solutions myself, I’ve struggled sometimes with asking for help when I need it. I understand that at any organisation, there are experts around me that have specific knowledge and skills I can learn from. Whilst I am still working on it, I have been able to produce better work in a more time-efficient way as a result of getting help from those around me.’
Example Weakness : Lacking Confidence
Im naturally shy. From high school and into my early professional interactions, it prevented me from speaking up. After being a part of a workgroup that didnt meet our strategic goals two quarters in a row, I knew I owed it to my team and myself to confidently share my ideas. I joined an improv acting classits fun and has really helped me overcome my shyness. I learned practical skills around leading discussions and sharing diverse perspectives. Now, in group settings, I always start conversations with the quieter folks. I know exactly how they feel, and people can be amazing once they start talking.
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Never Say I Have No Weaknesses
When asked about professional weaknesses, a lot of job seekers answer by saying something like, they have no weaknesses that would prevent them from doing a great job.
On the surface, that may seem like a reasonable answer. You certainly don’t want to give the employer any reason to think you shouldn’t be hired, and an answer like that allows you to avoid listing any shortcomings. But you’re not providing the employer with any new and useful information, which is one of the most common mistakes job seekers make in interviews.
There are several problems with saying you have no weaknesses:
- Everyone has weaknesses, so that answer sounds insincere.
- It can sound arrogant.
- Experienced interviewers know you are dodging the question, which is frustrating for them because they don’t learn anything new about you.
- You lose a great opportunity to show the employer you can solve problems and deal with challenges when you sidestep this question.
High School Student/graduate Applying For Their First Job Manual Labor In A Retail Store
I really struggle with computers, at least when I compare my skills with the average person from our generation.
Since I have always spent most of my time outside, and in the nature, I didnt really learn to work with many computer programs.
But I understand it is important to improve on my computer skills, and I plan to attend evening classes as soon as I have the job, and have some money to invest in my education.
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Example Weakness : Difficulty Asking Questions
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 wasnt 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 afterward. Since then, Ive 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 Is Your Greatest Weakness What Is Your Biggest Weakness
Straight forward and to the point. Okay..lets hit this!
I have a hard time letting a project go or sharing a task with others because Im always convinced that I can do it all on my own and that asking for help will be taken as a sign of weakness. This has led to me taking on projects that have overwhelmed me and resulted in me being frustrated and angry. It hasnt been easy learning to let go, but Ive been working on trusting others and sharing the responsibilities for projects and as a result, have been able to really accomplish some incredible things.”
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At Times I Lack Confidence
Maybe, youâve been put down by an ex-boss or your ideas were ridiculed by ex-colleagues? These bad experiences can impact your confidence and affect the quality of your work. The interviewer is looking for someone who can do the job well without being hand-held. When answering, show that youâre able to spot when your confidence is low and explain how you deal with it:
âWhen I feel my self-belief slipping I remind myself of the value I bring to the team, the wins Iâve had in my career and the positive things Iâve had fed back to me in appraisals. I take a moment to reflect on what is causing my lack of confidence and seek advice or support from colleagues when I feel itâs necessary.â
I Take Constructive Criticism Personally
If youâre able to see constructive criticism for what it is – a chance to improve, then youâre lucky. Lots of people struggle with criticism, even when itâs delivered with good intentions. If you react negatively to constructive criticism it could lead you to developing a negative mindset and possibly create tension with colleagues.
In your answer, detail how youâre turning this around:
âAt times Iâve failed to see that what my peers are saying is helpful and Iâve taken their constructive criticism as a personal attack. Even if I donât 100% agree with what theyâre saying Iâm taking the time to reflect, analyse what theyâre saying and pick out key points that I use to improve myself in the future.â
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Why Employers Ask ‘what Are Your Weaknesses’
Employers may ask what your weaknesses are during an interview to learn if you have the ambition to use your weaknesses as a chance to grow in your career. Here are some traits they may be looking for within your response:
- Self-awareness: This question helps the interviewer understand how well you know yourself. A sense of self-awareness means that you are willing to acknowledge your weaknesses and work on improving them.
- Honesty: In making yourself vulnerable and talking about your weaknesses, you also show how honest you are.
- Emotional quotient: This is an essential part of your emotional intelligence. It shows that you have the ability to monitor and manage your emotions and identify your motivations.
- Self-improvement: Your answer can show that you are willing to improve specific aspects of yourself and learn new things.
Thinking about your own weaknesses is a humbling experience. It’s important to think about your weaknesses before your interview so that you can give an answer that shows your awareness and ambition to change. Rather than disguising a strength as a weakness, use this as an opportunity to address skills or personal characteristics you could improve.
Weakness #5 You Are An Impatient Person
Being impatient means that you can sometimes make hasty decisions, which is obviously a weakness. However, if you told the hiring manager in an interview that your weakness was being impatient, they are likely to actually view this as a good thing, because it tells them you will be driven in the job, and you will strive to get as much work completed as possible!
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I Can Struggle With Time Management
It can feel like thereâs never enough time in the day. And, if youâre someone who is always playing catch-up, whether thatâs getting to work on time or taking on too much responsibility so you overrun on projects, poor time management can be a big concern for employers. In your answer, show how youâre working to improve this:
âOne of my greatest weaknesses is effective time management. While I’ve never missed a deadline, I can take on too much and these extra tasks/responsibilities can eat into my time. To ensure Iâm using my time effectively, I keep a weekly schedule and use a project management app to prioritise tasks. I also delegate tasks to more experienced/skilled members of the team to maximise my productivity.â
Top 30 Strengths And Weaknesses For Job Interviews In 2021
You may have heard this for sure whenever youve gone for an interview, What are your strengths and weaknesses? Did you get stumped for a second thinking about what to answer and how to do so? Do you have a list of strengths and weaknesses ready by your side? Oh yes, you will have to start listing your strengths and weaknesses to nail that interview.
In our professional life, we have all gone through job interviews. While some ace their first interview, some of us have to go through interview after interview, leaving us wondering why we didnt nail them even though we have the right qualifications, skills and experience.
What did I do wrong?
Did I give the wrong answer somewhere?
Did I not ask the right questions?
More often than not, it is usually because of the answers we give to the questions asked. You see, these interview questions are designed for specific reasons. And most candidates tend to answer them way too honestly and without taking a second to consider why the question is being asked and what exactly it is that the interviewer wants to know.
There are right and wrong ways to answer these questions, which this article is all about. Here, we will share tips for how to answer the question, What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Also, in this article, youll find examples of strengths and weaknesses and tips on how to prepare your response, which will help you stand out in your job interview.
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Example Strength : Technical Skills
I have extremely strong writing skills. Ive worked as a copywriter for eight years in several industries, and am committed to both creative excellence and performance metrics when it comes to my work. Ive had to learn how to find the perfect balance between that creativity and analytics, and its a personal passion of mine to demonstrate what good writing can achieve for the bottom linein advertising or otherwise.
Are You Working On Any Sort Of Developmental Goals Currently Do You Set Goals For Yourself
Ooh, this one is sneaky! Its the same questionjust twisted around to sound like something new. Good thing youre prepared for it already!
My goal is to be involved in more team tasks. I have a hard time delegating and realize this is something I need to work on. Being the only one in control isnt always realistic or possible and my desire to control every aspect of a project can not only slow me down, but can also give my teammates the impression that I dont trust them or value their work. Because I know this is something I have to work on, I like to volunteer for team projects. The experiences, while initially uncomfortable for me as I had to learn to let things go and rely on other people, have really helped to open my eyes to the value of cooperation. As a result Im discovering that projects, which would have been fine if I had done on my own, are ten times better as a result of the input and work of the entire team.
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What Motivates You To Apply For This Position
Good answers to the question ‘what motivates you?’ meeting deadlines, targets or goals. mentoring and coaching others. learning new things. coming up with creative ideas to improve something, or make something new. analysing complex data in order to draw clear and simple conclusions. working well as part of a team.
Woman Applying For A Managerial Position
Sometimes I am impatient, and I may demand too much from other people. I know that everyone is different, that people have good and bad days in work, and that we can not expect them to deliver their best every single day.
Still, my sense for responsibility and my desire to achieve the best possible results for my employer may drive me to strange decisions and conclusions. This led to some conflicts with my subordinates in my last job. I am aware of this problem, however, and I work on eliminating it.
* Applying for a managerial job? Check the interview questions for managers.
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