You have successfully submitted the CV for your dream company, and your first step towards getting the job of your dreams is an interview. Whether you are someone who will be giving their first interview or you are someone who has been in this position before, there are quite a few general questions that an employer usually asks. However, along with these generic questions, there are some curveballs as well.
One of the strategic questions is regarding the weakness in interview. While it may seem like a standard question, a few things need to go behind your answer to the famous ‘What are your weaknesses’ question.
Tip 1: Be Honest and Authentic
The best tool in your arsenal to answer this important question “what are my weaknesses” is to give an answer that is honest and authentic. The last thing you want to do is to provide an answer that seems too good to be true. You need to be realistic with yourself and ask yourself these three questions:
- What challenges do you face regularly?
- What is the most common feedback you have gotten?
- What are your personal goals?
With answers to these questions, you will have a list of realistic answers to these questions. In addition to getting an answer to the weakness of a person, one also needs to show their awareness of the issue. Convey the fact that you are indeed working on this issue as you understand the drawbacks of the weakness, and over time; you will look back at it and take it as a valuable lesson.
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Tip 2: Choose a Weakness That Is Not Critical to the Job
There is nobody on this planet earth who is perfect. There are flaws in everyone. You must constantly learn and grow to get the best of these flaws. You will wish to utilize this question to state how you have utilized this flaw as a motivation to enhance your skills and grow personally.
While honesty is the best policy, you need to look strongly at the roles and responsibilities that are listed and make sure you come up with a weakness that is not critical for the job or affects various aspects in terms of performance.
For better clarity, you need to avoid any kind of weakness that can affect the skills that are a must for the position that you will be interviewing for. For instance, if you are interviewing for a role that does not require you to talk to a group of people, you may mention a weakness such as public speaking.
If you are looking for ‘what is your weakness best answer,’ the key is to be strategic.
Tip 3: Explain How You’re Working to Improve
There are many examples of weaknesses you may use to mention your interview. But, as soon as you mention your weakness, make sure to share how you are working on overcoming it and learning from it. In the answer, you need to show the growth mindset within you, as it is oftentimes one of the biggest things the hiring manager looks for.
You may turn your weakness into an opportunity to become a more skilled and well-rounded professional. It may assist you in emphasizing that you are the kind of person who accepts new challenges.
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Tip 4: Frame Weaknesses as Opportunities for Growth
It is vital to frame the weakness in a more positive way. Instead of just stating a weakness, go ahead and explain what you have learned from it and state how you are addressing it.
You need to showcase the weaknesses as areas of improvement. Make sure you highlight the areas for personal development and learning. For example, if your weakness is the management of time, consider the tools and procedures that you have used to improve the efficiency of your work.
In addition to including your strength and weakness in resume, you need to frame these weaknesses ideally during the interview.
Tip 5: Use the STAR Method to Provide Examples
It is not at all a secret that answering questions regarding my weakness is tricky. At any cost, you don’t wish to reveal a weakness in an interview that might hamper your chances of being selected. The best way to use STAR for weaknesses is to select one that is relevant to the task but not critical.
Utilize STAR to select and describe a situation where the weakness was being challenged and exposed and how you have dealt with it. Using the STAR method may showcase self-awareness, positive outcomes, and willingness for personal improvement.
Tip 6: Avoid Overused or Cliché Weaknesses
It is one thing to include strength and weakness in CV. However, it is another theme to mention when you are sitting across from the hiring manager. The biggest mistake you can make towards the question is to come up with an answer that is not only overused but is indeed a cliche.
Avoid any kind of answers such as ‘My weakness is that I constantly strive for perfection in all my tasks’ or ‘My weakness is when I am working, I have no sense of time, and the majority of time, I tend to work extra hours.‘ It is vital that you tailor the answers to weakness in interview that are specific to the job.
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Tip 7: Keep Your Answer Concise
There is everyone who has an answer to the weakness in interview questions. While it is one thing to make a list of strengths and weaknesses examples, it is a whole other ballgame when we are discussing it with the hiring employer.
Ensure you keep your answer to the point without dragging it too far with unnecessary information. Avoid any kind of constant rambling with your answer. The idea is to state the perfect response, convey that you are working towards it, and frame learning opportunities. If you need any further information, the hiring employer will ask you.
Tip 8: Balance Weaknesses with Strengths
Sharing the weakness with the hiring manager can be tricky but can also be massively rewarding. It is based on how the employer takes it and how good your answer is.
A pro tip behind the answer to the weakness in the interview question is to follow up with one of your strengths that can compensate for the weakness or at least can help you deal with the weakness.
You need to show the hiring manager that you are well aware of this issue and the tools and measures you have by your side to deal with it. For example, if your weakness is that you lack productivity when there are multiple duties, you can follow it with your time management strength.
Tip 9: Practice Your Answer
Practice makes perfect, and this is especially true when you are getting ready for the question of weakness in interview. And it is not restricted to the answer to weakness in interview questions. With practice, you can enhance how you present each answer and set yourself free from any awkward pauses with your answer. Also, you may go ahead and practice your tone and delivery for each of the interview answers. Yes, the tonality and delivery of your answer also play a huge role. Additionally, you may practice your body language.
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Tip 10: Show Confidence and Positivity
Employers may go ahead and ask about your weakness in an interview to check if you have the ambition to use the weakness as an opportunity to grow in your career. The question basically helps the interviewer to understand how well you know and understand yourself. A sense of self-awareness generally implies that you are willing to acknowledge your weaknesses, and you may work on improving them.
Your body language and how you answer the question of weakness in interview matter. Therefore, constant practice is key when you are answering this important question.
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Conclusion
Customization is key when you are coming up with an answer to the interview question of your weakness. Whether you are someone who will be giving their first interview ever or you are someone seasoned, these tips mentioned above will surely help you ace your interview.
Related: How to Answer the Interview Question: What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
FAQs on Your Weakness in Interview
Q1: What to avoid when answering interview questions?
Ans: It is a must that you avoid any kind of cliche and overused answers. By avoiding these sorts of answers, you will have a better impression on the hiring managers and will also set yourself apart from the rest of the people. Instead of giving the same old answers, customize your answer and find some answers that are not at all cliche or generic.
Q2: Can we use the STAR method to answer interview questions?
Ans: Utilize STAR to select and describe a situation where the weakness was being challenged and exposed and how you have dealt with it. Using the STAR method may showcase self-awareness, positive outcomes, and willingness for personal improvement.
Q3: What is the best way to answer ‘What is your weakness?’
Ans: While honesty is the best policy, you need to look strongly at the roles and responsibilities that are listed and make sure you come up with a weakness that is not critical for the job or affects various aspects in terms of performance. For better clarity, you need to avoid any kind of weakness that can affect the skills that are a must for the position that you will be interviewing for.
Q4: What is a great tip to answer the question about weakness?
Ans: A great tip to answer the questions regarding weaknesses is to follow it up with one of your strengths that can compensate for it.
