During an interview...how do you answer the question "what is your worst quality"??

Question

there is always other varitions of this, basically i want to know what the best way to answer a question when the employer is looking for one of your bad qualities, without blowing the interview.

Answer 1

They ask the question to test your self-awareness and ability to improve.

Don't give an obviously "prepared" one like "I'm perfectionist", "I'm impatient". Obviously prepared ones are the answers where it's camuflaged as a weakness, but is really a strength. Most interviewers have heard that before and it will not give you any credits for that answer, though it will probably not subtract a lot either.

Pick a quality that you are really working on, but is NOT one that will keep you from getting the job (i.e. don't say that you are kinda lazy or can't get up in the morning). Then explain how you are working on that weakness or how you have improved recently.

If you are a good actor, take a short break before answering, indicating that you did not prepare for this answer. That usually impresses the interviewer.

Answer 2

Definitely avoid saying "Nothing." An employer wants to hire a REAL person. Not a narcissistic person with a superiority complex. I'd like to say "be honest" but don't go too much into detail about your weakness. For example, if your problem is that you procrastinate, don't go on and on about it because that could (and probably would) jeapordize your chances for that job. Also, don't make excuses for yourself. Acknowledge your weakness without excuse. Give a vague response. And avoid calling it a "bad quality" or a "shortcoming." Sugar coat it to "challenge." For the scenario of procrastination, this is a good safe response.

"I find that at times I am challenged with time when I feel like there is a lot to do all at once. However, I have recognized this challenge and have worked on it and have learned ways on how to more effectively manage my time. I have found that now I have turned my weakness into a strength. By not overloading myself and by setting priorities, I have turned my weakness of time management into a strength."

When an employer asks you for a weakness, don't just tell them your weakness. Tell them your weakness but also tell them your plans or accomplishments you have made to correct your weakness. This shows that you are not only honest with yourself but that you also take the appropriate steps in corrective behavior. They'll like that. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

ALWAYS be honest, if you get a job based on lies it just won't work out. Remember, a good fit works both ways. That being said, think about the job and what it requires, and about what it doesn't require. Think about your actual drawbacks, but make sure that you paint them positively. I'm a teacher and I generally answer this by saying that I have trouble accpting the things I can't change, which is totally true, and in the field of education, employers see this as both a fault and a strength. They want to know that you are aware of your faults and that you're willing to work on them. "Teachability" or "Coachability" are pretty big in almost any field, employers know that you're open to growth, development, and of course learning their way of doing things. A simple, catch-all answer might be "I still feel like I'm developing, like there are so many ways I can streamline/improve my work to make it more efficient" and then of course emphasize that you are actively doing this.

Answer 4

HOnestly.

And if you're working on it, say that as well. BUt honesty is best. After all, your employer could well find out after you've been hired, and if this is something that could affect your ability to work within the company, for whatever reason, things might get a bit nasty, and you certainly lose your job. This is the reason that such questions are answered.

And remember that each of us has a worst quality.

Answer 5

I usually answer something along the lines of: "when I start a task, I feel a need to work on it until that task is complete", which is true for me. This might not appear to be a negative thing, but what I mean is that I don't like to take on more than one project so that I can have resolution. I hate having pending projects.

Answer 6

Your worst quality needs to be something that an employer would want as a "good" quality.

For example:


My worst qualitiy is that I'm often too "hands on". I try to delegate tasks but sometimes when it's an important isue or there is a deadline involved, I jump in and do it all myself rather than letting my employee learn from his/her mistakes. But I'm working on this.

Answer 7

Say something like "I have trouble giving up on a situation that others consider a lost cause".

It makes you seem determined even though it can be considered a "fault". If you have an interview coming up, it is a good idea to plan ahead for questions like this. Good Luck!

Answer 8

My dad always gave me good advice about interviews. He's a big businessmen and he interviews people himself for jobs. I asked him that same question "how do i answer the "what are your weakest areas?" and he told me to say, and word carefully that

"My weakest areas.." (or points that need working on) "..is when I get frustrated and annoyed finding other fellow employees not doing their job right or failing to do their own tasks at hand, leaving me to do the work for them. I strongly believe that people should do their work fully and completely and my opinion on this matter is strong, maybe too strong. However, it doens't interfere with how I do my own tasks."

So in other words you take your work personally and want to do the job right...and you let other's effect how you do your job. This is both weak because you don't want to have to worry about others but your own, but also beneficial stating that working and doing the job right is important to you.

Answer 9

Well, you have to tailor it to the job interview you have - and make a positive negative. In other words, if you are applying for a project manager position, don't say "I have a hard time managing priorities", or managing time, or staying on task. Be sure your bad quality is not a key job characteristic. And, for a positive spin, be prepared to say how you are developing yourself in that particular area. So, to summarize, pick a characteristic that is not mission-critical to the job you are applying for, and show a demonstration of the fact you are aware of your shortcoming and are working to improve yourself in that area.

Answer 10

all question in the interview boils down to "Why would the company hire you?" So basically, all will be for the good of the company... In the case of bad qualities, its better to tell them one that is bad for yourself and yet good for the company.