During a job interview...?

Question

During a job interview how do i answer the "what is your weakness?" question?

Answer 1

I am always against the flow on this one Question. Be truthful, and don't twist the facts. Managers won't hire you because you have a weakness, they'll not hire you for avoiding telling the truth. In fact a person who is self aware (knows their weaknesses) will get hired in most cases. I can't tell you how many times I will rule a person out of the running because they aren't self aware or honest with me.

I, point blank, told an owner of the company that I work for that sometimes I blurt out what I am thinking, and don't always have the smoothest delivery, plus I am a bit stubborn. They were completely fine with that, in fact they take the time to work with me on my communication skills because they like all my strengths so much. You don't need to twist your weakness, just acknowledge you have it, and say you are open to advice when it comes up. And you'll be just fine.

BTW - if you use the "perfectionist" comment, everyone in interviews uses it, and you won't set yourself apart.

Answer 2

Good question! You definitely need to consider what you'll say in advance in case you are asked this. You might list an area that you need more training in (or experience). It helps if you can follow up the "weakness" with a plan of action as to how you are going to try to improve in that area. One pointer I will also throw in is that you should always follow up a day or two after the interview with a nice, brief hand-written thank-you letter. Not an email! Just something like, "I enjoyed meeting you and learning more about your company. I feel that I have several skills that would be an asset to you and appreciate your consideration for the position." Doing this sets you apart from 99% of the other applicants. Good luck!

Answer 3

Whatever you say, put a positive spin on it, or give examples where the weakness has been a good thing in the past. but don't over emphasise. "I am such a perfectionist, I won't complete anything until it is just right" is a big NO!!.

However "I sometimes tend to be a bit of a perfectionist. I would much rather spend that bit extra time getting it right first time, than creating extra work for myself or others later on". This way you are giving the fault, justifying it, but also giving the impression that it isn't a be all, end all problam.

Answer 4

Don't say "I'm a perfectionist." It is definitely the most overused weakness. You want to be honest but be able to put a positive spin on it.

For instance, if you have had difficulty being assertive, you can say that it is something you are working on, maybe even sign up for an assertiveness course or workshop.

Answer 5

If you're young (under 26 or so), you could say something like "my weakness is that I am still learning how to adapt my work habits to meet the needs and expectations of people around me." This will show that you're aware of your youth, and that there is a huges need for being liked and meeting people's expectations, and that you realize it and are trying to navigate the myriad of personalities out there, but aren't experienced enough yet to have gone through all of them.

Answer 6

With a weakness that can also be a positive - like, "I'm a perfectionist, so it drives me crazy when things aren't done right", or, "I really hate to leave my desk piled with work at the end of the day, so I often work late."

Good luck.

Answer 7

I always make sure that whatever I say is my weakness could also be determined as a strength.
Usually I say that I am a perfectionist. It works.

Answer 8

U can say...I am a detail seeker..so sometimes it cause delay in my other work but i want to do thgs properly & perfectly & then wanna move out.

Answer 9

You answer by saying that you always finish what you start; also that you are a hard dedicated worker who has a strong work ethic.