5 Strong Answers To The Interview Question “What Are Your Weaknesses”

Interviewing for a job can be daunting, but it’s important to remember that your interviewer isn’t just looking for the best candidate – they’re also trying to find the best fit for the role. That means they’ll want to know about your strengths and weaknesses. And unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid this question altogether. However, you can prepare for it by being aware of the common interview questions and strategies for answering them. In this blog post, we’ll teach you how to answer “what are your weaknesses” in an interview in three different ways. So be sure to read on!

Why do managers ask this question?

It’s no secret that interview questions like “what are your weaknesses” can be frustrating for candidates. But, in a way, they’re also a good way to get to know candidates better. For some, disclosing any weaknesses can be a huge barrier to overcome. This question presents a great opportunity to cross that chasm of hesitation.

Alternatively, some people choose not to answer this question altogether because they feel it would make them unqualified or uncomfortable during the interview process. During the interview, the hiring managers can ask more questions about your weak areas, which can be a frightening prospect initially.

But, through this exercise, the managers get to understand your level of self-awareness. It shows how well you can analyze yourself in all honesty, which can reflect upon your ability to analyze and work with other people. Moreover, it demonstrated your honesty, based on which the manager can expect you to build mutual trust in their team.

Your response to these weaknesses is also critical. It helps the hiring managers understand how you will face challenges and inherent problems in situations. All in all, your answers provide great insights into your response to troubled times.

How to answer “what are your weaknesses” in an interview?

When answering the question “what are your weaknesses,” there are some best practices you should keep in mind.

Be honest

Your answer should reflect your true feelings and thoughts on the matter. If you feel you have weaknesses that affect you, then say so – there’s no need to beat around the bush. Be open about it without feeling self-conscious or embarrassed if you have a vulnerability. Being vulnerable will help you connect with the manager on an individual level. Your manager will appreciate your transparency and understand that you are willing to candidly address any issues that may come up during the job interview process.

Being truthful about yourself is vital while answering this question. When you are answering this question, pick a real weakness that you carry and acknowledge. You would have experience managing this weakness and overcoming its challenges, which can be crucial building blocks to your progress in your next role.

Pick a weakness that lets you shine

When you answer the question “what are your weaknesses,” be sure to select a weakness that allows you to show your best side truly. Your answer aims to show that you can succeed in the role despite the flaw in your framework. It should be designed to show that impediments will not stop you from achieving your goals at work. You have to pick a weakness that does not impact your performance in the role you are applying for.

You can choose to set your answer around a weakness that acts as a ground to propel you further in your career. You can also add examples and past instances where you have used your weaknesses positively by turning them into sources of motivation or using them as learning opportunities. The key here is to show that the deficiency will not limit your willpower and ability. You possess enough strengths to find workarounds that let you remain an excellent worker.

Provide an objective analysis of yourself

When answering the question “what are your weaknesses,” you must provide a concise and objective description of yourself. Doing so will demonstrate that you have put in the work necessary to identify your weaknesses, as well as how they may hinder your success at work. It shows your extent of self-awareness, which is an excellent quality that managers look for in team members.

When describing yourself, don’t shy away from stating any flaws or shortcomings that might exist- be open and honest about what could stand in the way of achieving career goals at this stage. By being transparent about your weaknesses, you build trust with the interviewer and demonstrate that you are committed to working hard to improve. It will help in landing the next job.

Show how you have worked to overcome the weakness

Once you have outlined your weaknesses, you need to demonstrate how you have overcome them in the past. It could be through personal examples or recounting specific instances where your weaknesses helped you succeed. Again, being open and honest will show that you are not shy about admitting when something goes wrong- this can set an encouraging tone for the rest of the interview process.

Sharing stories of how your weaknesses help pave the way to success proves that these flaws are not roadblocks but opportunities for growth and development. Employers want team members who are determined and work hard regardless of what stands in their way. By highlighting your past successes, you show that you are up for the challenge and will work tirelessly to achieve goals. It will also display your ability to look for learning opportunities and act on guidance to deal with challenges.

Be confident

Not only do you need to be honest and open about your weaknesses, but you also need to project a confident attitude. It means not letting the interviewer see any hesitation or fear in your voice. Instead, simply answer the question as best you can. The effort you put into building this positive perception will reflect in the interview results.

Answering questions about your weaknesses can be a harrowing experience. It brings a lot of anxiety, as pointing out poor qualities can create a mess. Confidence is key to overcoming such daunting circumstances. While weaknesses are a part of every human, crushing them with ease is what differentiates the best from the rest. Thus, remain confident while answering the question to show that you are sure of yourself and your abilities despite the vulnerabilities that sometimes hamper progress.

Once you know the best practices for answering interview questions, you can begin preparing to ace your following interview. This list of weaknesses to use in interviews can be an effective tool at your hand!

Sample answers for “What are your weaknesses?”

Your weaknesses can include the following

1. Inability to stay organized
2. Difficulty in coordinating with people
3. Bad time management
4. Micromanagement
5. Work-life balance is hard to maintain
6. Problems in taking up leadership roles
7. Weakness in job-related skill
8. Timidity

These are a few weaknesses that you can include in your answer. Undoubtedly, the list does not end here, and you can add more to it. An excellent way to organize the answer would be as follows:

Sample answer #1 “What are your weaknesses?”

For instance, we are discussing disorganization –

I have noticed that I am usually a tad disorganized. While I have managed to keep my productivity high, I have noticed that the disarray on my desk often confuses me. Over some time, I have tried to learn some techniques to remain organized as I am handling many tasks. My experience is better since I have started to become more systematic.

Sample answer #2 “What are your weaknesses?”

Otherwise, suppose you are discussing micromanagement –

I often find myself being highly involved in the work of my juniors. It began as I have always focused on setting high standards for my team and myself. But, at times, I feel I forget that I can let the control go and my team can work independently. I might need to practice more to understand where intervention is required and where it is unnecessary. I am trying to understand effective delegation. I have also taken Risely’s free micromanagement self-assessment to know how strong my micromanaging habits are.

Sample answer #3 “What are your weaknesses?”

Similarly, you can talk about work-life balance like –

Earlier I have struggled with maintaining a good work-life balance. My inclination to go in depth in my job often leads me to stay put even after the work hours have ended. This became worse during the pandemic when I was working from home. Since then, I have begun to plan my days better, so that my personal and professional lives get adequate time. I have noticed that I feel better at work and with my family since I started structuring my days to enhance productivity.

Sample answer #4 “What are your weaknesses?”

One of my weaknesses is that I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist. While striving for excellence can be a good thing, I realize that sometimes it can lead to spending too much time on small details and overanalyzing things. I am aware of this tendency, and I try to balance it by setting clear priorities and timelines for myself.

Sample answer #5 “What are your weaknesses?”

One of my weaknesses is public speaking. I used to get very nervous and anxious when speaking in front of large audiences. However, I have been working on this weakness by taking public speaking courses and practicing more often. I also remind myself that mistakes are normal, and that the audience is there to learn from me, not to judge me. While it’s still not my favorite thing to do, I feel much more confident and comfortable now when presenting in front of a group.

By framing your answers smartly to show that weaknesses are a stepping stone to success, you can grab the next opportunity that crosses your path.

Now that you have learned how to answer “what are your weaknesses?”, read more about answering tricky interview questions –

• How to answer “Why are you leaving your previous job?” in an interview?
• 5 smart ways to answer “What motivates you?”
• How to answer “Tell us about yourself” in an interview?

Conclusion

Weaknesses are a scary topic. Discussing those weaknesses with near strangers is an even more daunting experience. But making the most out of such opportunities is where the skill lies. After reading this blog, you can effectively answer interview questions like “what are your weaknesses?” with a confidence that becomes your hallmark.