What should you say during an interview when they ask "what is your weaknesses" but avoid looking bad!

Question

I mean . . . i like being lazy or procrastinate etc. and thats my weakness haha, but I dont want to say something like that. . . what can I say that will answer the question but at the same time not make me look like im going to do a bad job?!!

Answer 1

You could say that you sometimes expect perfection out of yourself and others, but you are working on accepting that we can only work to our maximum potential.

Answer 2

lol....the dreaded question that we all have to answer. I try to be honest, yet in a way that doesn't present it in a bad way. For example, I am a perfectionist. Is this a strength or a weakness? It could be both. So I usually say I try to keep it in check.

As for how to phrase the "lazy" weakness. Hmmm. I might leave the word LAZY out, but the word procrastinator is not that bad. You can say "I have a tendency to procrastinate. This may be that I work well under pressure, although it is something I am trying to work on, especially when I am working on a project/something with others in the office."

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I hate that question, and if someone ever asks me that during an interview, I flip it on them and make them answer, since it's a stupid, stupid question. Or if I'm in a better mood, I'll say my weakness is something that is actually a positive in the workplace, like an OCD-like attention to detail, yada yada, but act as if it really is a weakness, all the while noticing how the interviewer is liking what they hear.
And then I make them answer the question. A successful interview involves finding a way to take the initiative and start interviewing them, too.

Answer 4

When they ask what your weakness is, you are supposed to give a strength.

For example, when I usually say something along these lines, "My biggest weakness is that I do not like to sit for long periods of time without having something to work on. I like to have a lot of work to do so that I feel like I am putting in an honest day's hard work. If I don't have that, then I feel like I haven't done anything all day."

You can pretty much pick out any strength and describe it in a way that will make it sound like a good weakness like I did above. Try these: perfectionist, good communicator, team player, and take direction well.

Answer 5

I have been advised in the past to take a quality that will really sound GOOD to the prospective employer and try to disguise it as a weakness (such as "I'm an incurable workaholic." or "I get too involved in my job.") but this is blatantly phony and any interviewer with half a brain will spot it as such.

DON'T lie. Find a genuine weakness that you REALLY DO HAVE, but one that does NOT apply to the duties of the job you are trying to get.
For example, I use my "slow typing speed", and since I never apply for a job that requires a fast typing speed, it is never a viable issue with the interviewer.

Answer 6

I like to say things like "probably over achievement" or being sometimes too efficient.

That always go down well.

I would recommend not being too direct with the truth, so in other words definitely not "a chronic lack of interest in boring work" or even "violent spasms", depending on your problem.

Maybe go with something like "I'm too lazy" or "I eat people"

Answer 7

Say as little as possible - but pick your most insignificant weakness . Play it down rather than build up any of your faults . Only pick one or two VERY insignificant things ..
If you like to be lazy - say : "Sometimes I'm slow but sure ".

Answer 8

It's good to explain how you deal with it to still be a good employee. ie I like to procrastinate so I use ______ (insert startegy/ plan) to make sure I get all my work done on time & don't cause delays for my co-workers

Answer 9

No, but low self esteem is sure a bad quality! Who cares what those stupid jerks think at that party! Probably just jealous

Answer 10

You should google "interview questions and answers" they have several websites and articles on the internet that give you ideas on how to sell yourself.