Congratulations on your invitation to interview! You are wise for preparing in advance and thinking about potential interview questions you might be asked.
A common topic that you will likely be asked to discuss is your weaknesses. It’s a tough one, no doubt! You are being asked to be vulnerable and expose something you may not be proud of. So, how do you answer the job interview weakness question professionally and honestly without making yourself sound bad in front of hiring managers? Here are a few steps to take and tips to keep in mind.
Designed to help you prepare for your upcoming interview by providing you with essential steps and tips to ensure you’re ready to impress.
How to Answer the Job Interview Weakness Question
First, understand what they are trying to identify when asking about weaknesses.
This question isn’t about judging you for your weaknesses. We all have them because we are all human! The wrong answers to this question include, “I work too hard,” “I care too much,” or choosing a weakness or issue that you’ve already overcome (ie. Lack of education as a weakness when you’ve just graduated with a bachelor’s degree. It doesn’t count if you’ve already addressed it!).
Instead, understand what is really being asked with this question.The hiring manager is checking for your level of self-awareness and, dare I say it, maturity. A self-aware, mature professional already knows their faults and weaknesses. We aren’t afraid to admit them, and we are always striving to improve in those areas. By addressing a real weakness and showing a bit of vulnerability, you will really appeal to hiring managers. Answering a job interview weakness question with confidence and true honesty takes courage and self-awareness!
Prior to the interview, closely evaluate your weaknesses.
I want you to grab a piece of paper or open a note on your phone and quickly list a few of your weaknesses. Write down whatever comes to mind. Now, do the same with your strengths. When you’ve finished both lists, I want you to look for connections between the two. Here are a few examples:
Strength: highly disciplined and organized
Weakness: uncomfortable with last-minute changes
Strength: caring and compassionate
Weakness: difficulty setting boundaries and saying “no”
Strength: laidback and easy-going
Weakness: procrastination
Shift your mindset, and change how you think about your weaknesses.
Did you notice anything when you were evaluating your strengths and weaknesses? Typically, we can link our weaknesses to an overuse of a strength. The first example I shared was one of my own. I am a very disciplined and organized person. Every Saturday, you can count on a blog post, and I have them written and scheduled at least a week in advance. However, a weakness of mine is that I don’t like last-minute changes or unforeseen issues that interrupt my “plan.” An overuse of my strength can cause weakness.
Use your analysis to address any job interview weakness question posed.
Now that you have an analysis of your strengths and weaknesses and can articulate their relationship, use that information to answer any job interview weakness question. If I were asked about my weaknesses, I could use my analysis and example from above. See my example below for a detailed illustration of this practice.
Provide examples of how you have been working to improve the weakness.
Remember, we will never totally rid ourselves of weaknesses because we are human. We can work on them over time and adjust our natural tendencies, making us more effective, efficient, and easier to work with. Again, know that the hiring manager is checking for your level of self-awareness with a job interview weakness question, so demonstrate a high level of self-awareness and really address a weakness rather than evading the question.
Example of a Response to a Job Interview Weakness Question
Describe one of your professional weaknesses.
“One of my weaknesses is responding and adjusting to last-minute changes. I am a very disciplined and organized person. I diligently plan and prepare for professional events as well as my workload. Early in my career, I would panic inside when things did not go to plan. My anxiety and blood pressure would rise, and it was difficult for me to keep a level head. I had to learn to manage this tendency more effectively at my position at XYZ Company. I organized and coordinated a large dinner event that was dependent upon high-level executives attending and contributing. It was inevitable that some of these very busy professionals would have last-minute obligations or obstacles arise that would prevent them from attending—sometimes without any notice. My colleague and I would be scrambling at the event to make arrangements for last-minute cancelations and no-shows. It was extremely stressful; however, I did not have time to panic. I had to keep a level head and problem solve. Although I have improved my initial responses to unforeseen challenges, I’ll admit I still struggle when they first appear. This is a weakness that I’ll continue to work on throughout my career and in my personal life.”
Other Interview Preparation Resources
Are you ready for more great interview preparation tips and materials? I’ve got several other resources to help you knock your next interview out of the park!
- Common Job Interview Questions & Answers – This post is devoted to how to structure interview questions so you stand out as the top candidate! Don’t make the all-to-common mistake of ambiguous answers. Don’t miss this article!
- Questions to Ask a Hiring Manager – What questions should you ask them? A crucial part of interview preparation is having good questions prepared for your hiring manager. I’ve outlined 10 questions to ask during your next interview.
- Interview Preparation & Coaching – A coaching call prior to an interview can make all of the difference! Remove the anxiety around interviewing and replace it with confidence with a one-hour coaching call. Let’s make sure you are prepared and ready to ace the interview!
FREE GUIDE: How to Prepare for a Successful Interview
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Do you have an interview? I can help!
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