This week we will be taking on the dreaded "What are your weaknesses?" job interview question.
Now, no one ever really wants to admit they have faults, especially in a job interview. This question gives the employee the opportunity to see how you would fit in the position and what, if anything, you may need to make up for if hired. It’s scary to say, “Hey, I’m the best for this position, but here’s everything that’s wrong with me.”
Stay away from the obvious, cliched:
I work too hard
I care too much
You also want to avoid saying what you may be thinking:
I don't have any, I'm pretty perfect.
These answers are lame and predictable. Everyone has weaknesses and employers know it. Trying to pass it off that you don't have any weaknesses may lead the employer to believe that you aren't very self-aware and, therefore, they won't be able to manage you on the job and help you grow in the position.
You also want to stay away from weaknesses that have nothing to do with employment or make you a little scary:
I'm very impatient. In fact, in my last job, my computer had a virus so I threw it out window.
I'm really bad at cartwheels. Want to see?
You want to pick something you actually can improve on, or something that you have been working to correct. Your best bet is to turn this into a positive and show that you know you aren't perfect and are working to correct your shortcomings. I recommend picking a weaknesses that you've had but have worked on.
I used to not be so great at mapping out my time. But, my last job really forced me to master time management and I have gotten much better at setting a schedule and sticking to it. In fact, I now make a to-do list every morning to make sure I stay on track with all my priorities.
This answer shows the employer that when you see a fault with your work, you take the initiative to make it right.
This question stinks, there's no getting around that fact. It's kind of scary to tell an employer that you're not so perfect, especially when you're trying to put your best foot forward. But if you practice your answer ahead of time, you can really stand out and show them that you will make a great employee. Not to mention that you also think fast under pressure.
About Kim Costa
I do benefit from these video’s. I’m 50ish and just finished a double BA a few months ago, moved to another state and hoping to get some interviews. Of every non and professional job I have interviewed for over a life time, this question is the hardest w/out lying directly to them….these answers will help so much to finally be able to come up with something that is more than half way close to sounding like a goal…
I listened to your other video’s and I will definitely have my two younger children listen to them for a better handle on their job searches.
Thank you, Peggy! I’m glad you found them helpful
. Good luck with your job search and congrats on your new degrees!
Nice job! I think I have a good answer for this one. I focus on the fact that I’ve made plenty of mistakes in the past but have learned from each one of those experiences. Therefore having learned what not to do, I’ve developed a better skill set, not a weakness.
i need other questions besides what is your weakness i get that one all the time also i need to know how to make a proper resume i need all the questions on an interview i can only half understand the people talking in the videos the speak so fast. i cant get through on my pass word i need help thanks leah lossing
Hi Leah! You can check out all of our interview question and answers videos here: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/how-to-answer-common-job-interview-questions/. Also, take a look at each blog post, where we’ve written out the answers so you don’t have to keep replaying the video to view the answer. Let me know if you have any questions!
I love your web site. Keep posting these videos in the future. Before you know it, everyone in the country who watches these videos will have a new job that they love. Kevin.
Thank you for this video! I have had this question in interviews before and even though I knew it may be asked I have never had what I consider a satisfactory answer. The example in your video is actually an issue I had in my last job and I did start a daily to-do list to stay on track. Please keep making these great videos.
I like the answer given about discussing job weaknesses. Specifically, I like the example given about the candidate that said they weren’t good at mapping out their time but improved through experience. I would like to know specifically how to present an honest answer about job weaknesses in a way that isn’t too euphemistic but doens’t completely ignore the unspoken politics of job interviews. For example, how do I state that I’m not always the fastest learner on the job but once I learn the routine, I am more than self sufficient at the task required? Or how do you discuss the fact that you hate micromanagment and tend to negatively react when personal discretion about how to perform your job is taken away?