Minor weaknesses: If you think carefully about the job ahead of time and prepare an answer, you will be able to remain positive while still being honest. For example, you might feel unqualified to speak up at an important meeting when your idea could help the team to achieve a goal. You'll notice straight away that some of the weaknesses were also in the list of strengths. I’m too critical of myself' While praising your colleagues and giving credit where credit's due might … With this job interview tip, you’ll be able to ace your next interview. Strengths and weaknesses are different for almost every job. In our guide, we advise you on how to prepare for this question, and provide examples to use in your next job interview. Taking small actions like putting my phone on silent during dinnertime is helpful. This article will show you: What an interviewer wants to hear when they ask for a list of weaknesses. I have a hard time letting go of a project. Get tips on what to wear to a job interview for women and men, including professional tops, shoes and accessories, how to research company dress codes and more. Doing so can help you feel refreshed when you are at work and can increase motivation, creativity and support a positive outlook. But when it comes to job interviews, it’s all about choosing the right set of weaknesses for the job. Home > List of Weaknesses: Job Interview Answers and Examples. Respond to interview questions weaknesses with answers such as: Interview tips: 1. Everyone has weaknesses -- your interviewer doesn't expect you to be perfect. These answers only need to highlight one weakness so do not give a long list of weaknesses. If this has been a weakness of yours in the past, explain the personality types you have had trouble working with and quickly identify the reasons why. Of course, you want to make sure you don’t come across as someone who can’t work well with co-workers. You might even phrase your answer as, “One skill I am currently working on…”. During your interview, you can prepare answers to some common questions that many hiring managers ask. It’s an invitation to shine a spotlight on all the skills and experiences that make you a good fit for the job. The weaknesses you choose should ideally be: Not fundamental to the job. “I work too hard”) They get a little too honest about an actual weakness; Mistake #1: Playing Up A Weakness Soft skills are important for almost every job. Learning how to answer this question in a positive manner can impress hiring managers and increase your chances of getting a job. You might mention a hard skill as your weakness. There are different categories of weaknesses that you can choose from when answering interview questions about your shortcomings. Practice your answers to common interview questions 3. It has been helpful for me to keep a running document of the impact I have made on my team and at my organization to better understand why I should be confident about the skills and unique talents I bring to the table. Too detail oriented. 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. The tricky greatest-weakness interview question can be answered 3 ways, and these 70+ weakness examples give you ideas on how you can pick your best 'weaknesses' for your next job interview. If you are interviewing for a position in which it is necessary to have your phone on and available at all times, you might not want to say you turn your phone off at night to achieve work/life balance. Good luck! I also understand that there are many experts around me that have specific knowledge and skills that can make my work better. Alison Doyle is the job search expert for The Balance Careers, and one of the industry's most highly-regarded job search and career experts. Answers like, “I don’t have any flaws” will come across as insincere. "What is your biggest weakness?" This can become problematic when I am not working on something that you need me to act on since that concentrate will mean I’ll do it if I should not. Doing so has helped me thrive when working on ambiguous tasks or when working towards less specific or defined goals.”. Financial Literacy. https://chasingourfinancialfreedom.com/list-of-weaknesses-with-examples Employers might ask what you’re passionate about during an interview to understand what motivates you. 30+ Strengths and Weaknesses for Job Interviews (Examples) Home • Human Resources • Last update: 2020-12-15 Knowing key strengths and weaknesses before going into a job interview can help prepare for this common interview question. Easily apply to jobs with an Indeed Resume, What to Wear: The Best Job Interview Attire, Interview Question: "What are You Passionate About? At the same time, though, last-minute reviews can help eliminate errors and make for a more refined finished product. Also on Glassdoor: How Long It Takes to Go Through the Interview Process & Find a Job. Think of this “what are your greatest weaknesses” interview question as an opportunity to show the interviewer what you are really ‘made of’ and that you are on the path to success. However, you might explain how you do certain things in excess at work. The curveball comes when you’re asked about weaknesses in a job interview. Keep it positive. Indeed is not a career or legal advisor and does not guarantee job interviews or offers. 11 Things to Never Say in an Interview. Here are a few areas that will effectively improve your overall preparedness. The curveball comes when you’re asked about weaknesses in a job interview. Interview Questions Weaknesses. Ultimately, you'll want to use this question to demonstrate how you've used a weakness as motivation to learn a new skill or grow professionally. Framing your weaknesses positively can be challenging, but when you combine self-awareness with an action plan, you can quickly stand apart from other job candidates. "What are your weaknesses?" The hiring manager is also looking for indicators that show you’ve been able to learn new tasks and handle new challenges. The list below includes 70+ examples of weaknesses that have been used successfully in job interviews by both men and women, so, in general, they are gender neutral. 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.”. Some soft skills you might mention when answering questions about your weaknesses include: You might mention a weakness that relates to your ability to interact with others. For example, being very detailed oriented is an asset for many positions. Your weakness should be work-related and in your answer, you should be able to prove yourself to be competent enough to improve on it while on the job. This is a particularly good idea if you are at least a few years out of school, because then the employer can evaluate you on your work experience rather than your academics. You can think of weaknesses as personal weaknesses and academic weaknesses. Sometimes, you may even be required to tell an anecdote about your greatest strengths and weaknesses. Some qualities, taken to the extreme, can become weaknesses. The information on this site is provided as a courtesy. 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. NB: Some weaknesses should not be mentioned in an interview because they could immediately disqualify you for the job. 'What is your greatest weakness?' The above is a great list of weaknesses for a job interview as it shows honesty. Bad examples of weakness in interviews If you try to avoid the question the interview may end before you get a second chance. Each candidate has areas to improve upon in their expertise. Extremely Introverted. If you are wondering what to say for weaknesses in an interview, you can try some of these ideas below. It’s an opportunity to show the employer how you can learn from constructive criticism, how you’re willing to make changes when you face challenges, and how you can pick yourself up and dust yourself off when you fail. Share your strengths. Focus on steps you are taking to improve on your weaknesses, and avoid mentioning weaknesses in skills that are important for the job. Out of this, figure out some shortcomings that are not important for the job. One of the trickiest interview questions to answer is, “What is your greatest weakness?” This question is challenging because it’s easy to answer in a way that comes off as dishonest (“I have no weaknesses!”) or disqualifying (“I am bad at this one skill that’s an absolute must-have for this job.”). The challenging job interview question, “What are your weaknesses?” needs a realistic answer that doesn’t show your job will be negatively affected in any way by it. Read on to the last section for examples of good weaknesses to describe in job interviews. Having weaknesses is natural for every human. What are ‘good' weaknesses for a job interview? Be prepared with examples of your work 7. Being asked about your weaknesses in a job interview isn't easy, and can often feel like the employer is trying to catch you out. Too sensitive. This is one way to describe ‘perfectionist’ tendencies more authentically. As with any inquiry about a weakness during an interview, you want to make sure to answer honestly and sincerely, but still, paint yourself in a positive light.It can be tricky to give a good response, but there are ways to respond effectively. Give an example to highlight your point. If this is the weakness you are presenting in an interview, explain the success you have found following instructions but also your career potential when finding comfort with ambiguity. It's essential to do your best to sell your qualifications to the interviewer, so you're a strong contender for a job offer. You’re just talking to the employer about how you can help solve theirs – weaknesses, and all. You have a difficult time letting go of a project Interview weaknesses is a common type of interview question whereby a candidate is asked to list a weakness. So, this question is an opportunity to show that you’ve got the right assets for the job. Recruit a friend to practice answering questions 6. When you’ve spent a great … However, it's critical you avoid mentioning weaknesses that will prevent you from performing well in the role. is a common question asked by employers during an interview to determine if the interviewee has self-awareness and the ability to identify and overcome their weaknesses. It’s an invitation to shine a spotlight on all the skills and experiences that make you a good fit for the job. Be clear that you’re working towards addressing the weakness. “Tell me about your greatest weaknesses,” […] On top of that, always tell a story about your strengths and weaknesses. Before providing this as an example, you should do extensive research about the company culture. You don't want to knock yourself out of contention for the job because the interviewer thinks you're not qualified. You should explain how you are overcoming (or plan to overcome) your weakness. While I understand diversity in personalities makes a business strong, I tend to quiet my own ideas and opinions around louder colleagues. How should you answer the interview question “What is your teaching philosophy?” Here are several tips and examples to help you prepare. That's because sometimes there's a fine line between strengths and weaknesses. You’ve only met the interviewer 10 minutes ago, and all of a sudden they’re hitting you with a very deep set of questions: What are your greatest strengths? However, do not choose a weakness at random. When it comes to job interview questions, the classic “What are your greatest strengths?” is a gentle pitch. If you’re preparing for a job interview and wondering how to address what your weaknesses are, here’s your quick guide on what to say, what not to say, and why it even comes up. Of course, don’t highlight an academic weakness that is directly relevant to the job. For example, if you are applying for a job in accounting, you don’t want to say your weakness is mathematics. Be sure, however, that you don’t answer with a weakness that is essential to the role. Some examples of weaknesses related to academics include: Focus on qualities not necessary for the job. Pick a real, work-related weakness that is not fundamental to your future employers. Even the most flexible people can have trouble working with others that have certain characteristics or personality traits. List of greatest weaknesses to use in an interview: When thinking of the best weaknesses to say in a job interview, think of them in different categories. There’s always room for improvement and some people tend to over-criticize their own work or attempt last-minute changes, which can threaten the timeline. Job interviews aren’t easy, and you can never predict exactly what you’re going to be asked. Creative Writing. If you’re using this as your job interview weakness, frame your answer to focus on how you appreciate work completed on time and ways you’re improving your helping to improve processes to get work done more efficiently. In short, because they can’t get a complete picture of you as a candidate by only talking about your strengths. What’s the point of asking about my weaknesses? Job interviews can get surprisingly intimate. These three weaknesses job interview illustrations all contain those critical components. Example: “In the past, I have found it difficult to work with aggressive personality types. The key to preparing for this question is to identify weaknesses that still communicate strength. Because of this, our team ended up adopting my idea for a new financing process, which resulted in a 10% decrease in time taken to plan our annual budget.”. This means they should be experienced, thoughtful and responsible with ambiguity in the workplace. 1. When it comes to talking about a weakness in a job interview, candidates tend to fall into one of two traps: They try to play up a skill that they think the employer would want to hear (i.e. Job interview weaknesses relating to personal qualities. They encompass your personality traits, your communication abilities, and your social skills. To help myself improve in this area, I use a project management app so I can visualize how much work I have at any given moment and know whether or not I have the bandwidth to take on more.”. When it comes to job interview questions, the classic “What are your greatest strengths?” is a softball. From an employer’s perspective, someone who accepts all requests seems dedicated and eager—but can also be someone who doesn’t know their limits and ends up needing help or deadline extensions to finish their work. Finding work/life balance is important to maintain motivation in your job. Experiencing a lack of confidence can sometimes cause inefficiencies in your work. You only need to have 1 or 2 answers available. On top of that, always tell a story about your strengths and weaknesses. Most sales interviews also rely heavily on behavioral interview questions, and this means that the hiring manager will want to explore your ability in the key areas needed for success in a sales job, such as your ability to persuade, your presentation skills, and your persistence, etc.. I can be overly self-critical. Find a few that you have been working on recently. Finally, while you want to be positive, you should also be honest. When you consider which weaknesses to mention in an interview, keep in mind that you should focus on qualities that are not central to the requirements of the job for which you are interviewing. It reveals a number of things: how well prepared you are for the interview; your self insight; your self-awareness and honesty For more tips on describing your weaknesses for interviews, check out our YouTube video below: “How to Answer What are Your Weaknesses.” Be honest. Rather describe general behaviors that impact on a number of areas of your life - personal, home and work. Be cautious about choosing a weakness that might reinforce a negative gender stereotype, like being too emotional for women and being arrogant or thoughtless for men. But it’s not just an obstacle to clear or a pitfall to avoid. In the past, this has led me to feel stressed or burnt out. Unlike hard skills, these are skills that are hard to quantify. When disclosing job interview weaknesses avoid focusing on something that is a core competency for the job. ", Specific programs (i.e. And if you need some inspiration, read our list of 50+ examples of strengths and weaknesses for job interviews. Example: “Because I am independent and enjoy working quickly, it has been difficult for me to ask for help when I need it.