How To Answer “What Is Your Greatest Weakness” During An Interview

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What is the best way to answer the question “What is your greatest weakness” during an interview?

Everyone has weaknesses, but the difference lies in how you allow them to control you. When you are asked what is your greatest weakness during an interview, how do you respond? You will soon find out. Let’s delve right in.

“Our weaknesses are the cracks where the light of grace enters.”
Meister Eckhart

In this article, you will find how to answer the question “What is your weakness” during an interview, as well as relevant points to ace this part of your interview.

You can answer this question tactfully using these simple methods

Table of Contents

1. Share a Genuine Weakness

When it comes to this, I advise you to be completely honest about your weaknesses. Let your interviewer know that you can be imperfect despite having other great qualities. Your weaknesses can range from lack of patience, fear of public speaking, harsh self-criticism, trouble with work-life balance, and so forth. Being honest about your weaknesses can demonstrate self-awareness and a willingness to grow.

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
Nelson Mandela

2. Show Self-Awareness

Reframe your weaknesses positively by demonstrating your ability to recognize and address areas that need improvement. Also, mention what you are currently doing to overcome these weaknesses.

3. Highlight Your Strength

You can offset your weaknesses by also emphasizing your strengths and capabilities. Everyone has areas where they excel, so be sure to mention them to your interviewer with confidence.

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Examples of Weaknesses You Can Tell Your Interviewer

Here are some of the best weaknesses to share with your interviewer during an interview.

1. Asking For Help

No one knows everything, so it’s okay to admit when you need help. Just be mindful not to come across as rejecting someone’s offer to assist you voluntarily.

2. Struggling To Say “No”

It’s important to remember that while it’s great to be considerate of others, it’s also important to prioritize your own needs. Opening up to your hiring manager can be really beneficial, as they can help you develop and grow in your role. If that doesn’t happen, consider reading books and working on personal development to help you make better decisions in situations like this.

3. Striving For Perfection

“Remember, there is beauty in focusing on improving at one thing rather than waiting for everything to be perfect before starting. Perfectionism can lead to procrastination and waste of resources. When discussing this weakness, be sure to also emphasize other strengths that can compensate for it and how you are working to improve.”

Other weaknesses include lack of self-confidence, difficulty delegating tasks, avoiding responsibility for mistakes, limited work experience, resistance to change, impatience, etc.

Conclusion: How to Answer “What is Your Greatest Weakness” During an Interview

Do a personal SWOT analysis to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. By understanding your weaknesses, you can work on strategies to turn them into strengths through consistent and deliberate practice. This article and the accompanying video have provided valuable insights on how to address questions about your weaknesses during an interview. If you found this information helpful, please feel free to leave a comment.