job interview: what to say when they ask about your weakness?

Answer 1

Be honest... but try to spin it positively. Interviewers know that people are full of s**t when they say "I don't have any weaknesses". Everyone has them and it takes a mature person to admit it and also to take action to improve.... that's what they are really looking for.

For ex. one of my weaknesses has been "organization" b/c I am a slob. So I would answer that question this way....
"One area in which I have started making improvements is in my organization skills. My former boss hated to come in my office and see a mess on my desk since it gave the impression that I was scattered and not on top of everything. So I asked her how she organized her desk, took some tips from her and set up my own filing system, I take 5 minutes at the end of the day to reorganize for the next day, and now my office is a lot more orderly. And I have to admit I don't have to spend so much time hunting for things."

Why does that answer kick butt???
1) I admitted a weakness
2) I also described how I was already making improvements
3) I showed that I am not afraid to ask for help and learn form others

Answer 2

Don't say you don't have any; that's obviously a lie, and they won't go for it. You're human; of course, you have weaknesses! What's important is how you frame them.

You could either think of a business-related weakness that will not negatively impact your chances at this particular job (in other words, you're weak in some area this job doesn't require you to excel at anyway); or you could use a weakness which is also a strength.

For example, one of my greatest strengths is also one of my greatest weaknesses. I have an excellent eye for detail; I'm meticulous and careful. This can also mean I have to guard against perfectionism and nitpicking or focusing on the negative.

So, give an example of such a "two-edged sword" (a weakness that is also a strength), and explain how you are aware of the potential weaknesses in this strength, and how you have worked to overcome them.

Example: I've read a lot of books to learn more about developing optimism, positive reinforcement, and praising people for the good they've done instead of focusing on the negative, because what you magnify becomes larger.

Don't act insecure about your weaknesses. Show confidence and acceptance of who you are, and yet show that you are working to improve yourself, learn & grow.

Answer 3

I would select a small area of the job where you aren't as familiar and say how you plan to strengthen in that area. For example, maybe you aren't as familiar with a particular software package. Everyone has weaknesses so please do not say that you do not have any weaknesses. I think it is the worse thing you can say. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I suggest you to be frank while telling about your weekness. Interviewers appreciate for being candid in your answers. But you should not put it in such a way that they fish negatives out of your weakness. You should tell them in such a way that they should only find positives in your weakness.
Eg. You can say "I generally get deeply submerged in work and thus exceed my time limits which in turn effects my other priorities".
Eg. Given a task I would sit on it till I Finish it off. But here I fail to manage my time for other activities but manages to finish off my target.

Answer 5

I think this is a truthful answer question because we all have weaknesses. I would say something like "my weakness is the fear of not being successful" and then ask "did I answer that question OK" with a smile!

Answer 6

You are not suppose to take a strength and describe it as a weakness, like most of you are saying. You shouldn't give out false information.

Answer 7

A: Say ''I Honestly can't think of any...*big smile*'' or say ''I love lot's of work, I suppose you could say that's a weakness because I get bored easily and think there is nothing worse than not having lot's of work to do in the workplace'' Good luck with the interview! =)

Answer 8

Depends alot on the job and your personality.

A nymph should tell a middle-aged guy, "I have a weakness for mature, older guys."

Actually, you say "I'm sort of a perfectionist. I hate leaving a job half-done."

In other words, you offer a contradiction. Perfectionism is usually perceived as an asset.

Answer 9

From what I have learned, thebest answer is something positive. Like I think my weakness is that I am perfectionist and I put 110% into my work. It should be something positive, not negative like, my weakness is that I daydream alot and dont get anywork done.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Say something postive like i always have to finish something i cant just stop in the middle of an assignment its a habit..