12 Incredible Answers to “What Is Your Greatest Weakness?” — That Aren’t “Perfectionism”

So, you have lastly received your foot within the door at your dream company. You’ve got submitted the perfect resume and made a long-lasting impression through the telephone display. All there’s left to do now’s to win over the hiring supervisor within the face-to-face interview.

As a well-informed candidate, you are doing all your analysis on the corporate and making ready your solutions to a very powerful interview questions you’ll be able to consider — essentially the most infamous of all of them being: “What’s your best weak point?”

You do not wish to reply, “I are inclined to work too arduous,” or “I’m an excessive amount of of a perfectionist.” That may simply come throughout as scripted and insincere at greatest and missing in self-awareness at worst.

Alternatively, you do not wish to reply with weaknesses that can stop you from succeeding within the position. For example, for those who’re making use of to be a mission supervisor, you do not wish to admit that you just’re “not superb with time administration.”

Happily, there are methods to reply this query that can enable you to reveal your worth as a candidate. Right here, we have cultivated some unimaginable solutions to the mainstay, “What’s your best weak point” query — and don’t fret, these solutions aren’t “perfectionism.”

Finest Reply for What’s your weak point?

Interviewers who ask “What’s your best weak point?” wish to understand how trustworthy and self-aware you’re. They’re additionally searching for proof that you’ve got a drive to enhance upon your weaknesses. One of the best solutions to this query sincerely clarify a weak point and supply an instance of how you’re actively engaged on being higher.

1. Select a weak point that won’t stop you from succeeding within the position.

When an interviewer asks, “What’s your best weak point?” they wish to discover out:

• Whether or not you have got a wholesome degree of self-awareness
• Whether or not you might be open and trustworthy, significantly about shortcomings
• Whether or not you pursue self-improvement and progress alternatives to fight these points, versus letting these weaknesses maintain you again

In the end, you will wish to use this query to reveal how you have used a weak point as motivation to be taught a brand new talent or develop professionally. Everybody has weaknesses — your interviewer would not count on you to be excellent.

Should you’re making use of for a copywriting place with little necessity for math abilities, you may admit, “I wrestle with numbers, and do not have a lot expertise with information analytics. Whereas math is just not straight tied to my position as a author, I consider it is essential to have a rudimentary understanding of Google Analytics to make sure my work is performing properly. To sort out this weak point, I have been taking on-line programs in information analytics.”

A solution like this exhibits the hiring supervisor that you just acknowledge your areas for progress and are in a position to act on them with out being advised to take action. This sort of self-starter perspective is a plus for nearly any workforce.

2. Be trustworthy and select an actual weak point.

The reply “perfectionism” will not reduce it when speaking about your largest weak point as a result of it isn’t an actual weak point. Perfectionism can by no means be attained — it is a fear-based sample that results in short-term rewards like getting the job accomplished early and exceeding expectations. Nevertheless, within the long-term, making an attempt to realize perfectionism results in burnout, low-quality work, and missed deadlines. Burnout is among the largest contributors to decreased productivity, turnover, and low worker engagement — all of which price an organization cash, time, and expertise.

As an alternative, select an actual weak point. Beneath the need to do excellent work could lie a weak point of belief. Maybe you do not belief that you’ll make errors on the workforce, so that you try to do every part completely. That is an actual weak point you can undoubtedly overcome.

3. Present an instance of how you have labored to enhance upon your weak point or be taught a brand new talent to fight the difficulty.

Hiring managers do not count on you to beat your weaknesses fully in a single day. Everybody has areas they need to always work on to maintain them sharp. Consider it this fashion — for those who’ve devoted six months to figuring out, you will not be capable of cease sooner or later and keep your progress. It is an ongoing course of that it’s important to work at.

4. Take into consideration weaknesses in your individual private life.

Should you humanize your self within the interview, it will enable your interviewer to attach and visualize working with you sooner or later. It isn’t nearly weaknesses that pertain to the job. For instance, if you’re an introvert and also you discover your choice for quiet time stops you from taking dangers, this can be a relatable weak point. While you reveal your self-awareness this fashion, it exhibits you perceive that self-improvement correlates to work efficiency.

5. Consider the place you’d prefer to be and what assist it’s essential get there.

Total, progress is part of life. Take into consideration individuals you look as much as which may be associated to the sphere that you just’re in. Ask your self what character traits these individuals have and what work you may have to do with a purpose to get there. By offering an instance of the way you’re working to enhance your space of weak point, you will give the interviewer a glimpse into just a few optimistic attributes about your consciousness, together with that:

• You understand how to establish and mitigate points that come up.
• You’ve got discovered a useful answer to an issue that you just and maybe others on the workforce face, which implies you might be a right away useful resource to the workforce.
• You reveal self-awareness and a capability to take suggestions from others.

As a rule, you are going to have to look exterior of your self to beat a weak point. Whether or not you look to your supervisor, the HubSpot Blog, or a mentor for assist, the easy act of searching for assist demonstrates self-awareness and resourcefulness — two abilities which might be arduous to show, however beneficial to be taught. Tapping into your assets exhibits the interviewers you can remedy issues when the reply is just not but clear. That is a personality trait that has a spot on any workforce.

Briefly share an instance of a time while you requested somebody for assist in an space that you’ve got recognized as a weak point. This offers the hiring workforce a transparent image of how you will work with the workforce to steadiness out that weak point.

6. Do not be smug and do not underestimate your self.

An important factor you are able to do when responding to the query “What’s your best weak point?” is exhibit confidence in your reply. (If insecurity is your weak point, maintain studying.) Even for those who’re not essentially the most assured individual, I’ll assume you are no less than trustworthy with your self. Should you’ve recognized an space of weak point and also you’re certain about it, let that assurance shine via in your reply. There isn’t any have to really feel embarrassed about one thing you are genuinely not good at so long as you are working to get higher.

Earlier than you begin expressing a real weak point to your interviewer, get comfy with the forms of solutions that make hiring managers wish to work with you. Check out the next examples and discover just a few that suit your character and work type. Then, observe reciting them aloud so they arrive naturally to you.

Establish Your Best Weak point

As we already talked about, your reply should be trustworthy whereas additionally not jeopardizing your probability at getting the job. So, how precisely do you determine which weak point to speak about? Listed here are some ideas:

1. Rule out any abilities which might be listed within the job description.

Scan via each element of the job itemizing and ensure weak point is not included within the required abilities and obligations.

For instance, say you are making use of to be a senior product advertising and marketing supervisor. The job description says that the corporate is searching for somebody who’s a talented storyteller, can interpret information and market analysis, and is self-driven and adaptable to alter.

As a result of these are important abilities for the position, you would not wish to point out them as your weak point. Doing so would make you appear much less competent and danger your probabilities at getting the job.

2. Take into account weaknesses that you’ve got overcome.

Whereas making ready your reply, mirror on what you have discovered and improved whereas working in your present position.

Speak about your early struggles in studying or bettering upon a talent and clarify to the interviewer what you probably did to beat it.

For instance, early on in my profession I struggled with analyzing and decoding advertising and marketing information. In an effort to enhance these abilities, my supervisor mentored me and gave me weekly assignments that allowed me to observe information interpretation.

Inside just a few months, I went from being a content material marketer who was averse to information to at least one who embraced it.

3. Discover inspiration by trying via previous efficiency opinions.

Should you’re having bother considering of a selected weak point instance, learn via previous self-assessments and efficiency opinions. These paperwork present examples of your strengths in addition to the areas you’ll be able to enhance upon, making them a fantastic supply of inspiration.

Relying on how lengthy you have got labored at your present firm, chances are you’ll be reminded of previous weaknesses that you just now take into account strengths. This will help you craft a solution that exhibits your willingness to work on your self.

Prepared? Listed here are examples of the way you may reply “What’s your best weak point?” and why they work.

1. Lack of Persistence

Pattern Reply:

“I haven’t got a lot endurance when working with a workforce — I’m extremely self-sufficient, so it is tough once I have to depend on others to finish my work. That is why I’ve pursued roles that require somebody to work independently. Nevertheless, I’ve additionally labored to enhance this weak point by enrolling in team-building workshops. Whereas I usually work independently, it is essential I discover ways to belief my coworkers and ask for outdoor assist when vital.”

This reply works as a result of the weak point — the shortcoming to be affected person when working with a workforce — would not hinder your skill to carry out properly within the position, since it is a job that does not depend on teamwork to succeed. Moreover, you show an eagerness to develop methods to fight your weak point, which is a important talent within the office.

2. Lack of Group

Pattern Reply:

“I wrestle with group. Whereas it has never impacted my efficiency, I’ve seen my messy desk and cluttered inbox nonetheless intervene with my effectivity. Over time, I’ve discovered to put aside time to arrange my bodily and digital house, and I’ve seen it enhance my effectivity ranges all through the week.”

Loads of individuals have messy desks. This reply works as a result of it is a relatable and fixable weak point. You word that disorganization would not intervene together with your skill to do your job, which is important, however you additionally acknowledge it’d make you much less environment friendly. To make sure you’re acting at 100%, you point out private steps you have taken to enhance your group abilities for the sake of self-improvement alone, which suggests a degree of maturity and self-awareness.

3. Hassle with Delegation

Pattern Reply:

“I typically discover it tough to delegate duty once I really feel I can end the duty properly myself. Nevertheless, once I grew to become supervisor in my final position, it grew to become important I be taught to delegate duties. To keep up a way of management when delegating duties, I carried out a mission administration system to supervise the progress of a mission. This method enabled me to enhance my skill to delegate effectively.”

This reply lets you reveal a capability to pursue a brand new talent when a job requires it and suggests you are able to flexibility, which is important for long-term progress. Moreover, you’ll be able to showcase a degree of initiative and management while you point out the profitable implementation of a brand new course of that enabled you to achieve your previous position, regardless of your weak point.

4. Timidity

Pattern Reply:

“Oftentimes, I might be timid when offering constructive suggestions to coworkers or managers, out of worry of wounding somebody’s emotions. Nevertheless, in my final position, my coworker requested me to edit a few of his items and supply suggestions for areas of enchancment. Via my expertise with him, I spotted suggestions might be each useful and sort when delivered the appropriate method. Since then, I’ve change into higher at providing suggestions, and I’ve realized that I can use empathy to supply considerate, productive suggestions.”

This reply works since you’ve defined the way you had been in a position to flip a weak point right into a power via real-world expertise. Sometimes, timidity might be seen as a flaw within the office, significantly if a job requires somebody to supply suggestions to others. On this case, you are in a position to reveal how timidity can be utilized as a power, via considerate reflection and observe.

5. Lack of Tactfulness

Pattern Reply:

“My blunt, simple nature has allowed me to succeed over time as a workforce supervisor, as a result of I can get issues accomplished effectively, and folks usually admire my honesty. Nevertheless, I’ve acknowledged my bluntness would not all the time serve my workers properly once I’m delivering suggestions. To fight this, I’ve labored to develop empathy and deeper relationships with these I handle. Moreover, I took a web based management administration course, and labored with the professor to develop my skill to ship suggestions.”

Oftentimes, sides of our personalities will help us in sure areas of our work, whereas hindering us in others. That is pure. Nevertheless, it’s essential to reveal a capability to acknowledge when your character interferes with the features of your position, and how one can remedy for that.

On this instance, you first clarify how your blunt nature lets you achieve success in sure conditions. Then, you point out that you just perceive your bluntness might be seen as a scarcity of empathy and supply examples of how you have tried to resolve this problem. In the end, your consciousness of the way you is likely to be perceived by others exhibits a degree of emotional intelligence, which is a important asset for a workforce chief.

6. Concern of Public Talking

Pattern Reply:

“Public talking makes me nervous. Whereas I need not do a lot public talking in my position as an internet designer, I nonetheless really feel that it is an essential talent — particularly once I wish to supply my opinion throughout a gathering. To fight this, I spoke with my supervisor and she or he advisable I converse at every workforce assembly for a couple of minutes about our mission timeline, deadlines, and objectives when creating a web site for a consumer. This observe has enabled me to chill out and see public talking as a possibility to assist my workforce members do their jobs successfully.”

On this instance, you point out a talent that is not relevant to the position, however one which you nonetheless have been working to enhance. This exhibits your want to fulfill extra enterprise wants than vital in your present position, which is admirable. Moreover, it is spectacular for those who can present you are keen to achieve out to your supervisor with areas wherein you wish to enhance, as an alternative of ready on your supervisor to recommend these areas of enchancment to you. It demonstrates a degree of ambition {and professional} maturity.

7. Weak Knowledge Evaluation Abilities

Pattern Reply:

“I am not nice at analyzing information or numbers. Nevertheless, I acknowledge this flaw can stop me from understanding how my content material is performing on-line. In my final position, I arrange month-to-month conferences with the search engine optimisation supervisor to debate analytics and the way our posts had been performing. Moreover, I acquired my Google Analytics certificates, and I make it some extent to research information associated to our weblog repeatedly. I’ve change into way more comfy analyzing information via these efforts.”

On this instance, you are in a position to present your want to go above and past a job description and actively hunt down abilities that might be useful to the success of your organization as an entire. One of these company-first mentality exhibits the interviewer you are devoted to creating your self a beneficial asset, and take a look at your greatest to know the wants of the entire division, quite than simply your position.

8. Indecisiveness

Pattern Reply:

“Typically I wrestle with ambiguity and making selections when instructions aren’t clear. I come from a piece setting that all the time gave clear and direct directions. I had such a powerful workforce and management that I have never had a lot observe making selections within the warmth of the second. I am engaged on this by leaning extra into my expertise and training listening to my intestine.”

This reply works since you’re demonstrating you can each comply with a pacesetter and sharpen your management abilities. It is alright to not know what to do within the second. Admitting that you just relied on sturdy management exhibits you can be a follower when wanted, however figuring out when to step up is essential, too. With this reply, you are displaying that you’re going to step up if a state of affairs requires decisiveness.

9. Harsh Self-Criticism

Pattern Reply:

“My interior critic might be debilitating at instances. I take satisfaction in producing good work, however I really feel like I wrestle feeling glad with it, which has led to burnout previously. Nevertheless, I’ve began to push again in opposition to this interior voice by caring for myself earlier than and after work. I am additionally studying to acknowledge when my interior critic is true and once I have to dismiss it.”

This reply works as a result of your interviewer could relate; all of us have harsh interior critics. It is also efficient as a result of 1) It exhibits that you just’re keen to work in your weaknesses exterior of labor, not simply throughout enterprise hours, and a couple of) It demonstrates your interior critic could have legitimate factors. Discerning when to dismiss it’s key to forestall burnout and enhance productiveness. Realizing how the interior critic could inhibit good work ethic demonstrates your willingness to develop and be an efficient employee.

10. Micromanaging

Pattern Reply:

“I used to work in industries the place I needed to domesticate a strong work ethic in my workers. This type of coaching has been so ingrained in me that I’ve forgotten to discern who may have that teaching and who doesn’t. I have been studying books on efficient delegation and workforce constructing to work on this shortcoming. One method that works for me is assuring myself that if I set up clear expectations, then my workforce will comply with. I’ve additionally discovered to belief my workforce members.”

This reply works greatest for those who’ve been in a management place earlier than and are making use of to a managerial position. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless apply it to previous experiences the place you probably did have to indicate management. This reply exhibits that when you could also be used to working your crew or workforce a selected method, you are keen to confess when your methodology is not the best. Exhibiting your flexibility demonstrates your skill to develop.

11. Talkative

Pattern Reply:

“I get pleasure from creating a relationship with my coworkers by participating in dialog, and that is a fantastic team-building talent. Nevertheless, I’ve a behavior of carrying on a dialog to some extent the place it could distract different coworkers. I’ve discovered since then that there are different methods to attach with my coworkers, and that if I am asking about their day, I have to maintain it temporary and redirect myself again to my work.”

This reply works as a result of it exhibits you are conscious of how your talkative tendencies could also be distracting within the office. It takes plenty of braveness to confess that. It additionally exhibits you’re keen to develop a relationship with coworkers however not at the price of productiveness.

12. Hassle Sustaining a Work-Life Steadiness

Pattern Reply:

“I’ve struggled with work-life steadiness, particularly after I began working remotely through the pandemic. This elevated my stress ranges to the purpose the place my productiveness was at an all-time low and I did not convey my greatest self to work. As a result of I wish to proceed working remotely, I’ve began including extra construction to my day and instituted a pointy begin and finish time. I’ve already seen enhancements in my ranges of focus throughout work hours.”

At first, this may seem to be a “power” weak point — pouring your self into work is nice, proper? Meaning you’re keen on your job. But when it impacts your productiveness and your relationships with coworkers, that isn’t so nice. This reply works as a result of it would not simply say, “I work loads, so my residence life suffers.” It says, “I work loads to the purpose of burnout, and I’ve realized that I have to construction my day.” Should you’ve struggled with work-life steadiness points previously, it is essential to state the way you’re restoring that steadiness and the way it has impacted your work.

There’s Power In Each Weak point

No matter whether or not you are dangerous with numbers otherwise you have a tendency to not converse up in group settings, there is a power behind each weak point. The power is in how you’re employed to beat it. Leaning in your teammates who excel in these areas is a good way to indicate that you’re going to work properly on the workforce and that you know the way to make use of your assets to resolve issues. Taking skilled improvement programs exhibits that you just’re keen to work towards enchancment. Irrespective of which of those solutions you share with the hiring workforce, they’re going to be more than pleased that will help you develop and exceed the expectations of the position.

Editor’s word: This put up was initially printed in December 2018 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.