It’s not easy admitting your flaws, especially in front of potential employers. However, most hiring managers aren’t looking for perfect candidates. So, when they ask you to describe your weaknesses, they want to see how self-aware you are and how you handle adversity. But how do you answer this question honestly without ruining your chances of landing your dream job?
[See: The 25 Best Jobs of 2023.]
3 Steps to Follow When Describing Weaknesses in a Job Interview
Communicating your weaknesses in a way that demonstrates your ability to learn and evolve can make you a stronger candidate. Here’s how to put your weaknesses in a positive light.
1. Identify the Weakness
Joseph Liu, host of the “Career Relaunch” podcast, recommends that interviewees identify their weaknesses by phrasing the start of their response like this: “At times, I catch myself (describe weakness).”
He says by doing so, “it demonstrates you’re self-aware enough to notice when you’re engaged in this behavior. It also subtly suggests that in most cases, this weakness is more the exception to the rule rather than a persistent issue.”
2. Explain the Negative Impact of the Weakness
Next, Liu suggests that you immediately illustrate the downside of this weakness to demonstrate your self-awareness, maturity and confidence. Explicitly explaining the negative impact of your weakness also shows the interviewer that you’re fully aware of what you need to improve on.
Liu says this is how you can word your response: “When my emails are too wordy, the important takeaways can sometimes get lost, which can result in confusion or unnecessary back and forth required to clarify my points.”
3. Share the Proactive Steps You’re Taking to Address the Weakness
After identifying and sharing the negative impact of your weaknesses, remember to mention the steps you’re taking to address them. Using the example from above about wordy emails, Liu says you could word your response like this: “One step I’m taking to address this weakness is to use the ‘bottom line up front’ principle, where I cover key points at the very start and avoid drowning the recipient in too much unnecessary detail. I’ve also mentioned this to my former manager as something I’m working on so they can help keep me accountable.”
Example Weaknesses for a Job Interview
Answering the question: “Tell me your greatest weakness,” can be tricky. You shouldn’t claim to have zero weaknesses, as that could come off as evasive and unrealistic. But you also shouldn’t overshare, as that could hurt your chances of securing the job. To help you navigate this dreaded question, consider using some of these example weaknesses that may apply to you.
— Too Focused on Details
Example answer: “I often catch myself getting too caught up in the minute details of a project and losing sight of the bigger picture. However, I’ve been actively improving my ability to prioritize tasks relevant to a project’s goal and not sweat the small stuff.
— Trouble Saying No to Extra Assignments
Example answer: “I sometimes struggle with saying no to extra assignments, which often leads to overcommitment and burnout. To address this, I’m making a conscious effort to communicate my boundaries and prioritize my work-life balance clearly.”
— Being Too Honest
Example answer: “As someone who values honesty and transparency, I sometimes struggle with tactfully delivering difficult feedback. However, I’m actively working on developing my communication skills and learning to balance honesty with empathy.”
— Not Communicating With Co-Workers Enough
Example answer: “At times, I catch myself being too independent in my work and failing to communicate with my colleagues. To address this weakness, I’m making an effort to initiate more regular check-ins with my team.”
— Not Delegating Assignments
Example answer: “Because I take so much pride in my work and enjoy having control over my projects, I sometimes struggle with delegating tasks to others. But recently, I’m learning to trust my co-workers and recognize the benefits of collaboration.”
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What Do Good Examples of Weaknesses Have in Common?
— Credible.
— Coachable.
— Correctable.
— Confessable.
— Not critical.
Credible
If a weakness is not believable, no matter how elaborate or detailed your answer is, the interviewer will likely see right through it. For example, claiming that working too hard is your greatest weakness may not be the best idea. Instead, certified professional resume writer and certified internet recruiter Matthew Warzel says you should “focus on a legitimate weakness and discuss how you’re working to improve upon it. For instance, if you’re applying for a customer service role, a more believable weakness could be that you have trouble not taking customer complaints personally.”
Correctable
A correctable weakness is one that has not been fixed yet but could be addressed in the future with some effort. So, continuing with the previous example about not being able to take customer complaints personally, Warzel says you could mention that while you struggle with handling customer complaints, you actively seek feedback from colleagues and supervisors and have enrolled in conflict resolution courses to enhance your skills. After all, every employer appreciates candidates who are receptive to feedback and show a commitment to self-improvement.
Coachable
You can demonstrate the coachability of your weaknesses by discussing one you have already overcome. For example, “I used to be too quick to write and submit my news copy. Then, my first editor encouraged me to sit on a draft overnight for at least a few hours and revisit the text with fresh eyes. I found my writing improved markedly as a result of this tip.” By highlighting a coachable weakness, you demonstrate your willingness to grow and receive guidance.
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Confessable
Confessable weaknesses are those you could share with a stranger without discomfort. So, sharing that you can’t function without your anxiety medication or that you feel lonely without a romantic partner may not be the best idea since this personal information could hinder your chances of landing your dream job.
Remember, when asked about your weaknesses in a job interview, it’s not an invitation to air out all your dirty laundry. Don’t take the “Tell me about your weakness” question too literally, and always maintain professionalism.
Not Critical
Lastly, ensure the weakness you share is not central to the job description. For example, if you’re applying for a content writing role but tell the hiring manager you’re not a strong writer, you most likely won’t move forward to the next round of interviews. However, acknowledging that you sometimes focus too much on details when editing your final drafts shows that you care about the quality of your work while demonstrating your self-awareness.
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How to Describe Weaknesses in a Job Interview originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 06/21/23: This story was previously published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
