During an interview, if I am asked "What are your weakness ?". How should I appropriately answer ?

Question

Thanks to those who give sensible answers.

Answer 1

Well, I can tell you that you certainly DO need to have something you feel you need to improve on. I interview hundreds of people a year, and you'd be surprised how many people say they don't have anything that they need to improve.

We immediately recognize that either the person doesn't have the intelligence we're looking for or that they're just lying. Everybody has weaknesses, and the higher the job you apply for, the more the interviewer is looking to see if you're smart enough to recognize your weaknesses and are working on correcting them.

I wouldn't come up with a list of 10 things. That might become a real turn off! LOL. But there were some really good examples given above. My advice is that you take a long look at yourself and jot down two or three things that you see as a weakness in your performance. Then pick out the number one and phrase it, as others have said, in a positive way.

Most people dislike confrontation, having to deliver criticism to others. "I work closely with my team. I'm quick to compliment wins. When I recognize someone is having a problem, I teach them how to correct the situation. But if the person just doesn't develop into a solid contributor I dislike haveing that formal discussion about poor job performance."

Getting out of the comfort zone is another weakness many people possess....."I really get nervous when asked to speak in front of a group of people and I'm working on organizing my thoughts in an outline to refer to so that I can be more effective at public speaking"

Being a workaholic is one interviewers love to hear. "I have trouble establishing a work/life balance because I get so envolved in my job that it's hard for me to leave at the end of the day". (You can see why we like to hear that one).

But, even if it's true, for goodness sakes don't say things like "I really hate dealing with people" or "It's hard for me to count all that money without being tempted to take some of it". Those answers would certainly insure your application would end up in file 13! LOL

Good question.

Good luck.

Answer 2

You should ask questions because it is their way of seeing your interest level in the job. You should prepare some questions beforehand, and yes many times your questions will be answered during the interview before you get to ask them. Make some notes that you can refer to if you need, check the link listed below for some appropriate questions. When an interviewer asks about your weaknesses, answer with something that is actually a strength, but could be viewed as a weakness by some people (a FEW people preferably). For example. When I get asked that question, I like to answer, "well, I have an unusual attention to details, I want to make sure the product is perfect before sending it off. So, sometimes I may take a little extra time to make sure the product is perfect." one interviewer actually said that sounds more like a strength... I said, "I once had a supervisor who was only concerned about producing product very quickly, the supervisor did not like my attention to detail. however, the supervisor was relocated because sales were down due to poor quality."

Answer 3

I would avoid the obvious cliches like "I'm a perfectionist" etc. It is so cliched, it would put an employer off.

Try something genuine about your work style which reflects your personality without putting yourself down. I wouldn't have a set answer prepared, because it sounds too rehearsed and unnatural. Base the weakness given around the actual job you are going for.

I think a lot of employers just want someone who is willing to improve themselves and grow with the company. They don't expect you to know everything and be able to do everything. Just a little humility and recognition of the learning curve you will undertake within a new setting and environment. What they like to hear is your willingness to learn and take on the company work ethic. If you can make a 'weakness' slant this way, you will be fine.

Answer 4

There was some good ides given already, like the perfectionist, workaholic or being shy and not wanted to speak up right away. However, make sure that whatever you use is really true to who you are and not just something you grabbed off the site. Remembering lines is harder than speaking from the heart, therefore when you're doing something like that it will seem rehearsed and fake and could cost you the job.

Answer 5

Make it a positive answer...something that is a weakness to you but not to the company.
"I'm a perfectionist. Sometimes I'm just too meticulous."
"I'm a workaholic. Once I throw myself into my job it's hard extricate myself."
Otherwise, go for something neutral. (non aggressive) Like:
"I'm shy. It takes me a little longer to get comfortable enough to assert my ideas."
"I overanalyze. Sometimes when given a task I put too much time into making sure I have all the details."

Just avoid being too honest. I once had a friend who, when asked that question, WAS honest. He said "I have a terrible temper at times. Sometimes a lot of stress can make me snap." Yeah....needless to say he didn't get the job. Doh!

Answer 6

I usually say "delegating responsibilities- in the past i've had trouble asking for help and its something i've worked on improving" but I don't call it a weakness. Just state "one of the things I've been working on is..." Other things that won't make you look bad are taking too much responsiblity or paying too much attention to details (don't say being a perfectionist)

Answer 7

This is the type of question where you want to change lemons to a positive such as "sometimes I take my job to serious" spending time to see how I can improve. Or, I like to be helpful to others in a big way. See just turn it around and make it look positive.

Answer 8

"I prioritize continual growth and improvement. An area on which I would like to focus is managing others who don't have the same motivation I do. I easily identify tasks that need to be completed to finish my projects, and I make sure they get done. So, I am learning how to give better direction to others who are not self-motivated."

Something like that. You are answering the question by giving a bunch of positives about yourself.

Answer 9

Hi
If it is a question, then answer "My weakness is expecting perfection from my colleagues too...".

Answer 10

With honesty.