Summary:
Answering the "Weakness Question" in interviews requires honesty and strategic thinking. Avoid clichés like "working too much" and focus on a genuine weakness you're actively addressing. Be specific, providing examples of self-improvement efforts. Match your response to the job description, and never mention a weakness that's crucial to the role. Practice your answer, stay confident, and remember that everyone has a mix of strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, turning your weaknesses into opportunities for growth can leave a positive impression on interviewers.
Chocolate digestives dunked in tea, a pint (or six) of Beer on a Friday night or a bacon sandwich smothered in Heinz tomato ketchup on a Sunday morning? Trust me when I say you're not alone. However that is beside the point - employers will ask you tough questions, and it's up to you to prove yourself worthy of their consideration. Luckily we're going to help you with one of the toughest interview questions - 'the weakness question'. Interviews are an art, if you want more advice on perfecting them, check out our interview advice.
No interviewer will expect brutally frank answers like "I have a below average intelligence" or "I am extremely difficult to work with" or even "I turn up about 20 minutes late to work most days."
However, interviewers will probably expect standard textbook "canned" answers such as "I work too much. All I do is work, work, work and work." Although, your potential employer would not appreciate or believe this typical, cliché, and transparent answer and they will probably think you are either lyingor, worse yet, you are telling the truth!
If this is the case, you define working too much as a weakness, which could suggest you don't really want to work much after all?!
It's not the easiest question to answer, and so we've compiled a brief guide on how to tackle 'the weakness question' below!
It's Simple: Honesty Really Is The Best Policy
Whatever you do, tell the truth. Whilst there are quite obviously answers that interviewers prefer to hear, you have to make sure it matches up to reality.
Why do you ask?
First of all, it's not a great idea to get hired for a job that you're not matched for - even if your inner 'during interview mode' self, is able to obtain the job through the art of the blag and your understanding of being able to produce the answers interviewers want to hear.
Secondly, any good interviewer will check your references. If your answers don't match what they've heard from you, it's extremely likely that you'll lose the chance for the job. Assuming you want to land a position where you'll thrive, this should be your goal too - and, unfortunately, honesty is more likely to get you there. Just provide a well-prepared, yet honest, answer and fingers crossed you will have that dream job in no time!
From The Interviewer's Perspective
The usual "I work too hard" and "I'm a complete perfectionist", predictable answers will make the interviewer feel as though they are dealing with a candidate that they can't really trust, and someone who they are going to have a hard time in developing an open, honest, working relationship with. Furthermore, they still won't be aware of any of your genuine weaknesses either.
If you are able to provide more truthful answers the interviewer will have a much greater chance in judging if they can work around your weakness.
This, therefore, not only helps the employer but consequently helps you. After all, you wouldn't want to work for someone who wouldn't be able to cope with your weakness which could inevitably lead to a dismissal from the organisation.
Here's our list of other questions an employer may ask you in an interview - should you want to prepare more.
A Sales Role But Your Greatest Weakness Is Selling... ?!
It cannot be stressed enough that the weakness you talk about is not a key element of the position. In simple terms, don't mention a big weakness that could cost you the job!
However, if your greatest weakness is one of the main job roles, you probably shouldn't be applying for the job after all. Your aim is not to lie but merely present yourself and your core assets to the best of your ability.
We're all composed of strengths and weaknesses, however, this doesn't mean that we tell an interviewer every little detail about what we do wrong within the workplace.
For example, if you are being interviewed for a Managerial role in charge of a 50 man team, it probably isn't best to mention that you have trouble getting along with people seeing as the job role will constantly involve working with others!
So How To Answer: Talk About A Weakness That You're Actively Working To Overcome
Don't sugarcoat or try to make a negative a positive, alternatively, you should select a personal weakness of yours that you have been actively working to overcome.
Think seriously about your weak points;
- What have you struggled with in the past?
- What have past managers encouraged you to do differently?
- If you were able to wave a magic wand over your head and change something about your work skills or persona, what would it be?
The weakness you choose should come out as a problem that is almost solved; it shouldn't be a critical and hopeless trait that cannot be helped.
An example could be that you've had trouble in the past with planning and prioritisation. However, demonstrate and clearly explain that you are taking steps to correct this; could be through the use of a pocket planner or simply actively making more lists throughout the day to ensure work tasks are completed.
DO YOUR RESEARCH - a little research into a company before an interview will likely help you to understand the employer and their needs more, and help you prepare an appropriate answer.
Date published: 1st March 2024
