A typical job interview all too often includes those annoying interview questions like “What’s your greatest weakness?” or “What’s your greatest strength?” Odds are some form of the greatest weakness question will be aimed your way as you sit in the interview Q & A hot seat, trying your best not to sweat your greatest weakness answer as much as Albert Brooks sweat in the film Broadcast News.
OK. I admit I also sometimes use the oh-so-annoying greatest weakness question (and others like that) when I do an interview. Not that there’s any one absolutely right answer I’m looking for. Asking about weaknesses in an interview (and the way you answer the question) helps me see how a person will react, even when confronted by the obvious. You can learn a lot about a person as they answer seemingly simple questions.
In fact, I was interviewing someone the other day. After only a few minutes, I knew he was probably going to get a second interview. But it’s my job to dig deeper and also look for things that need to be explored in the next round. In addition, if I pretty much know they’re moving on, I like to give people practice for the next interview. So in this case, I went to some of those standard interview questions, including “What’s your greatest weakness?”
Well, this guy started to answer it without any subterfuge and without the typical “I know this is one of those trick questions” tone of voice. I was pleasantly surprised. (Keeping it as real as possible is always a good idea – although there are times when it’s ok to let the interviewer in on your recognition of an old standard.) But then my interviewee kept going – trying to give me the most thorough and honest answer ever I think – including several examples of how sometimes he gets caught up in the tiny details of a problem…almost to the point of obsessing. I actually got nervous for him. “Don’t tell me too much!” I wanted to coach.
Truth is, he was so sincere and talented he didn’t hurt himself with me by trying so hard to give a thorough answer. But that might not have been the case with all interviewers. So when you get a question like this, just know that it’s ok to stop at the summary of the weakness like “I can get caught up in the details sometimes.” But then your follow-up should be something like you are aware of this and have been learning how to balance being thorough with the other things you have to get done. And have a great real life story from one of your jobs to back up whichever weakness you choose to answer this interview question!
Whatever you do, it’s probably best to keep your answer to this one fairly short. There are some interview questions where it’s good to expand your answer so you can throw in cool stuff about yourself. This is usually not one of those questions – unless, as I mentioned, you have a good story to tell about how you overcame your great weakness…or at least have been making progress.
An example would be if you had a fear of public speaking, worked on that fear, and wound up becoming a lecturer on some topic. Now that’s something an interviewer would like to hear. (Uh…please don’t use this story unless it’s real. Stuff like that can come back to bite you.) But if your story isn’t that strong, probably best to keep it short and sweet when answering the weakness question.
Let’s be honest. Most people just throw in these questions to fill out the interview anyway. You get a good idea within the first few minutes of interviewing a person whether this is someone you want to seriously consider. I doubt any interviewer is really looking to get you to reveal some deep dark weakness like “I steal office supplies” or “I’ve lied all over my resume and hope you don’t find out.” DOH!
But even if you make a great first impression, you can still trip yourself up with a bad answer. While there is no one right way to answer this interview question, it helps to come prepared with something good based on who you really are (some employers are serious about the question and want to see how self-aware you are). And make sure your tale of weakness has a natural positive spin – like the ones above or any good example from real life about how you turned some weakness around.
So to summarize my greatest weakness interview question tips: Keep it short, leave with a positive thought, and then just shut up until you get the next question. If the interviewer pushes the question, try your best to specifically answer what was asked (shows you’re listening) but again keep it short and stay as positive as possible.
Oh…and in case you’re wondering, the guy I interviewed has super skills and gave a good second interview, so he’s moving on to the final interview. But in the interim, an anonymous someone clued him in about how to answer the dreaded weakness interview question – just in case. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone.
More job interview articles I hope will help:
- Job Interviews: What’s Your Greatest Weakness?
- Job Interviews: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
- How to Answer Why You Left Your Last Job When You Actually Quit
- Help! I Get Nervous When I Interview for a Job
- 18 Practical Tips to Help You Ace that Interview
- The Single Most Important Thing in Any Job Interview
- 15 Things I Look for When I Interview People
- 10 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job
- How Do I Ace My Phone Interview?
- How Do You Interview if Interviewer Doesn’t Know as Much as You Do?
i want to know the weakness , how should i express my weakness in an interview. plz reply
Hello seemant!
I’m not sure what else I can say other than what is already in my post. Just remember whatever you mention, to turn it into a strength by telling how you overcame it or how you did something to make up for it that shows them what a good employee you would be.
Also, just make sure you take it seriously and don’t joke around with them, ok? Maybe you are pulling my leg just a little?
An answer I heard a long time ago that I use on that question in almost EVERY interview is, “I don’t consider myself to have weaknesses, but instead areas to improve on…I’d have to say…probably that I’m a perfectionist. I am very hard on myself when it comes to doing a good job. However, while I do try very hard to work on accepting my own faults, it can also be a good thing because not only does it push me to do better, but I also set my goals pretty high. So, if I aim for 110% and comeout only getting 100% done, I’ve still done a great job.” Interviewers always smile and recognize my intellect, and I get the job.
Hi Kelly!
I like that answer a lot. If you give me permission, I might make it into a short post one day giving full credit to you of course.
Thanks much for sharing. Your wisdom ALWAYS welcome here!
Ronnie Ann
hello my names cat I have an interview and im absooulutely horrific at them and i know people get nervous but im beyond this because i have anxiety so when i stress i tend to have panic attacks and im really worried about going there and having one because i would really die for this job like i really want it and i have no idea wot to say in interviews or anything like whats your weakness oh i have panic attacks when i get stressed…no and i dont have anything to say because i have alot of weaknesses like i need to constantly be munching on food lol or i talk to much, i harass everyone at work to talk to me and get in trouble, im easily distracted, i type with only 3 fingers, i need to work on my punctuation, i talk to fast, and iknow i cant say any of these!!!!!!!!! wot am i to do!!!!!!!!!!! lol please help
Dear Cat,
One day you will indeed have an interview and when you do, I hope you tell them how creative you are.
And please refer to this article at that time because it has your answers.
In the meantime, good luck in school or whatever you’re really up to!
Ronnie Ann
hello that doesnt help? I’m not in school i finished 4 years ago and i have had jobs but I’m going for a really good job and dont know what to say
I apologize Catherine. I get a lot of spam and the way you wrote your comment and presented yourself made me think you were playing with me.
Clearly you have a lot of weaknesses that you don’t want to bring up in an interview! The good news is you are aware of many of your work weaknesses and need to work on them ON YOUR OWN. You won’t ever be able to do any job well or get ahead until you realize you have the power yourself to get past those small quirks and be more professional in the workplace.
As for the interview itself, as I said, I have a lot of posts on the topic already. Here are a few that have suggestions to help:
Job Interviews: Practical Tips to Help You Ace that Interview
Help! I Get Nervous When I Interview for a Job
15 Things I Look for When I Interview People
And of course, I offer some ideas right on this post about how to answer the weakness question. The trick is mentioning a not-too-bad weakness and then telling them how you are working on correcting it! Let them know you think it’s important to work on weaknesses and are making it your personal goal to face any weakness head on. No one is perfect, Cat, but if we act powerless to our weaknesses, we wind up being trapped by them!
The main thing is to take yourself and your STRENGTHS seriously enough to go into that interview presenting your very best to the employer. And then if you are lucky enough to get the job, work on your weaknesses one by one. Please know you CAN do that. And if you know it now in your heart, then you can go into the interview and handle whatever they ask.
Good luck!
Ronnie Ann
Thank you Mr.Ronnie Ann.
It’s very helpful for me.
My honor, divya. Makes me happy to read that. Just so you know…I’m a woman. Ronnie is my first name and Ann is my middle name.
Good luck!!
That’s one of the best descriptions I’ve read about why the “weakness” question is even asked. As you explain, sometimes it’s not so much about the answer as it is how you present yourself.
Thanks Diane. Much appreciated. And good luck with your resume services.
Ronnie Ann
Hey. Your explanation is very descriptive and helpful. I was just wondering if you would recommend me answering the question as below.
I would say that my weakness is that I’m usually shy and it’s almost impossible to get me to open up. I’m usually the girl in the corner refusing to talk to anyone. Then I discovered my passion for debating. I realized that I could convey my ideas I just didn’t dare to. Now I’m still shy and a little introverted but when asked to speak I do not shy away.
Thank you very much.
Hi Charmaine!
Sorry for the delay. (I’m working a couple of free-lance jobs AND taking some classes.)
I think this is a GREAT way to handle the question. Shows you are being sincere and also that you took the initiative to address a weakness and make it into a strength.
Best of luck in your career!
It’s really helpful for me especially the tips in answering interview questions!
thanks Ronnie Ann
will it be fine to write about a weakness in the resume itself . As may be will give an impression to the interviewer that the person is quite mature and bold….plz reply
thankyou
Hi again Ankit!
I will keep my reply uncharacteristically short…no. Really really really. No.
Hope that helps.
Best of luck.
Ronnie Ann
Hey, I liked this article so much decided to tweet it (scheduled to send on Tuesday night). http://twitter.com/trovit_us
Hope you don’t mind! (If so please respond and I can cancel it)
Thanks Chelsea. Much appreciated!
~ Ronnie Ann
My greatest weakness? I get impatient when I see people not working to their full potential. My greatest strength? My willingness to be flexible and follow through on the assignments given to me, to the best of my ability.
Thanks Catherine. LOVE your strength answer.
The weakness one is good too because it’s real and not one of those bogus “gee I work too hard sometimes” answers. And if you want to make it even stronger, maybe add something about how you’ve learned to work with it. Weakness answers are best if they have the actual weakness part plus our “redemption.”
Best of all is to show you learned how to turn it into a strength now – or at least a weakness you are aware of and have learned to handle so it doesn’t get in the way of your performance and work relationships.
Thanks for all your comments. Your experiences and advice add a lot. Best of luck!
~ Ronnie Ann
Most people come up with the standard answer along the lines of being too dedicated or being a perfectionist. This can backfire as it may be a polar opposite of the culture of the company. It really is best to speak from the heart. Sometimes you get a candidate with a real off the wall response- as weird as they can be- I would rather have the truth than hire someone that ends up not fitting well because they were not genuine in the interview.