7 What is Your Greatest Weakness?
This is one of the best interview questions to ask a jobseeker that can nullify all your previous answers if you don’t know the answer in advance. Few people openly admit their shortcomings during the interview, as talking about your weaknesses is always difficult. However, with some preparation and practice, you can respond to this question in a way that highlights your strengths and demonstrates your self-awareness.
Employers ask this question to assess a candidate’s level of self-awareness, honesty, and ability to identify areas for improvement. They want to see if you have the ability to recognize and address your weaknesses, as this is an essential quality in any employee. Additionally, employers use this question to evaluate how you deal with difficult situations and to see if you can turn a negative into a positive.
Possible answer to “What is your greatest weakness?”:
“Friends say that I have “student syndrome.” From school, I strive to do everything for five. It bothers me daily because I can’t afford to complete a task without giving my best.”
Tips for answering the question “What is your greatest weakness?”:
- You need to identify a genuine weakness while showing you know how to turn this weakness into a strength. Tell what you are doing to upgrade the missing skills and qualities, what you plan to do, and what results you have already achieved.
- Choose a weakness that will not be an obstacle to getting a job offer.
- To answer this one of the most frequent job interview questions, remain calm and confident, and do not apologize or be embarrassed. Everyone has weaknesses, and it is essential that you are aware of them, know how to talk about them, and understand how to work on them.
- Also, be honest about your weaknesses.
What mistakes should not be made when answering the question “What is your greatest weakness?”:
- Talking about your personal qualities that characterize you from a disadvantageous side. For example, self-doubt, low self-esteem, modesty, and short temper.
- Choosing the weak side regarding important competencies for performing work in your position.
