I\u2019ve been told countless times that the hardest part about getting a job at my dream company (Nickelodeon \u2014 spoiler alert, I got it!) is getting my foot in the door.<\/p>\n\n
I refreshed my resume<\/a> and practiced answering many common interview questions<\/a>, including \u201cWhat is your greatest weakness?\u201d This question never fails to trip me up, as it often feels like a trick or test. I\u2019m trying to sell myself at the highest caliber, and you want me to say what\u2019s wrong with me?<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The key is finding the perfect balance between being able to admit that no one is perfect and not listing weaknesses that would prevent you from succeeding at the role. Here, I\u2019ve cultivated some incredible answers to \u201cWhat is your greatest weakness?\u201d \u2014 and don\u2018t worry, these answers aren\u2019t, \u201cI\u2019m a perfectionist.\u201d<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n What are good weaknesses to say in an interview?<\/a> <\/a> <\/p>\n Interviewers who ask, \u201cWhat is your greatest weakness?\u201d want to know how honest and self-aware you are.<\/p>\n Before you answer, ask yourself:<\/p>\n What are my weaknesses? The best answers to this question sincerely explain a weakness and provide an example of how you are actively working to improve.<\/p>\n Pro tip:<\/strong> I also asked Nehal Patel<\/a>, the director of research technology and innovation and hiring manager at Smith & Nephew<\/a>, how to nail this question:<\/p>\n He said, \u201cGood areas to point to for this question are organizational skills that can improve as new tools become available, or interpersonal skills that can continuously advance as you work with new people with different styles.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Here are some of my favorite examples of how to answer \u201cWhat is your greatest weakness?\u201d and why they work.<\/p>\n\n This answer works because the weakness \u2014 the inability to work well with a team \u2014 doesn\u2018t hinder your ability to perform well in the role, since it\u2019s a job that doesn’t rely on teamwork to succeed. Additionally, you display an eagerness to develop strategies to combat your weakness, which is a critical workplace skill.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Change Your Ways \u2014 Tips on Habit Forming<\/a> I am the biggest culprit of a messy workspace. This answer works because it\u2018s a relatable and fixable weakness. You note that disorganization doesn\u2019t interfere with your ability to do your job, which is critical, but you also acknowledge it might make you less efficient.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Organizational Skills Every Leader Needs<\/a> This answer works because it suggests you’re capable of flexibility, which is critical for long-term growth. Additionally, you showcase a level of initiative and leadership when you mention the successful implementation of a new process that enabled you to succeed in your past role, despite your weakness.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n How to Delegate as a Leader<\/a> While interning at the HubSpot Blog, I copyedited guest writers\u2019 posts. I always wondered why I, a college student, had the right to provide detailed feedback to a professional writer.<\/p>\n With time, I\u2019ve learned that constructive feedback is always beneficial to people when presented respectfully, regardless of their level or experience.<\/p>\n This answer works because you’ve explained how you could turn a weakness into a strength through real-world experience.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Why Introverts Make Great Leaders Video<\/a> Facets of our personalities can help us in certain areas of our work while hindering us in others. In this example, you first explain how your blunt nature allows you to be successful in certain situations. Then, you mention how it can be seen as a lack of empathy, and you provide examples of how you’re trying to solve this issue.<\/p>\n It works because you\u2019re demonstrating an ability to recognize when your personality interferes with the functions of your role, and how you can solve for that.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Free Personality Tests<\/a> In this example, you mention qualities that don\u2019t apply to the role, but which you nonetheless have been working to improve. This works because it shows your desire to meet more business needs than necessary in your current role \u2014 and that speaks to your professional ambition.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Public Speaking Tips From Speakers & Communication Experts<\/a> As someone creative-minded, I also struggle with the data side of my work. For example, understanding how marketing campaigns perform and incorporating those results into our campaign strategy is an important part of my job, even though there are teams who specifically handle that data.<\/p>\n I like this example because it shows your desire to go above and beyond a job description and better understand the needs of the whole department, rather than just your role.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Excel Data Analysis Lesson<\/a> This job interview answer works because you demonstrate that you can both follow a leader and become one yourself. It\u2018s all right not to know what to do in the moment. Admitting that you relied on strong leadership shows that you know when to step up and when to seek direction.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Strategic Decision Making Lesson<\/a> Your interviewer can likely relate to this weakness; we all have harsh inner critics (mine often leaves me spiraling after sending any mildly assertive email or Slack).<\/p>\n It\u2018s also effective because 1) It shows that you\u2019re willing to work on your weaknesses outside of work, not just during business hours, and 2) It demonstrates your inner critic may have valid points.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Critical Thinking Foundations Lesson<\/a> This answer works best if you’ve held a leadership position before and are applying for a managerial role.<\/p>\n While you may be used to running your crew or team a specific way, this indicates that you\u2018re willing to admit when your method isn\u2019t the most effective.<\/p>\n Showing your flexibility demonstrates your ability to grow and adapt to a new culture at a new job.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Management Styles to Strive for and Avoid<\/a> Please stand up if you also came home with report cards in your school days stating, \u201c[Name] is a great student, but talks too much in class,\u201d and somehow still have that issue as an adult!<\/p>\n This answer works because it shows awareness of how your talkative tendencies may be distracting in the workplace. You\u2019re also telling your future employer that you\u2019re willing to build relationships with coworkers but not at the cost of productivity.<\/p>\n That\u2019s what sets us apart from our innocent, talkative childhood selves.<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n How to Build Business Relationships<\/a> At first, this might seem like a \u201cstrength\u201d masquerading as a weakness \u2014 pouring yourself into work is great, right? That means you love your job. But it\u2019s not so great if it impacts your productivity and your relationships with coworkers.<\/p>\n This answer works because it doesn\u2018t mean, \u201cI work so much that my home life suffers.\u201d It implies, \u201cI work a lot to the point of burnout, and I\u2019ve realized that I need to structure my day better.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Secrets to Work-Life Balance<\/a> <\/a> <\/p>\n Need more inspiration? Here are some other common weaknesses you can consider mentioning in a job interview.<\/p>\n Organizational Weaknesses:<\/strong><\/p>\n Struggling with time management. Quality of Work Weaknesses:<\/strong><\/p>\n Having limited experience in a specific skill or specialization. Interpersonal Weaknesses:<\/strong><\/p>\n Issues communicating with colleagues of higher titles. Personal Growth Weaknesses:<\/strong><\/p>\n Balancing work and personal life. <\/a> <\/p>\n My top piece of advice for identifying your greatest weakness in an interview is this: Answer honestly but don\u2019t threaten your chance at getting the job offer.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to do just that.<\/p>\n Scan every word of the job listing to ensure the weakness isn’t included in the required skills and responsibilities.<\/p>\n For example, my job description at Nickelodeon mentioned looking for a candidate who could build relationships with partners at all levels. Since that is an essential qualification for the role, I wouldn\u2019t have answered \u201cWhat is your greatest weakness?\u201d with \u201cCommunicating with colleagues of higher titles.\u201d<\/p>\n I spoke with Sneha Alagappan<\/a>, the assistant director of computer science career services at the University of Chicago<\/a> and a former tech recruiter, and she mentioned the idea of highlighting weaknesses that you\u2019re already tackling:<\/p>\n \u201cThere is always a positive way to spin potential mistakes and areas of opportunity for yourself by talking about lessons you\u2019ve learned along the way and how you have already changed your way of working moving forward.<\/p>\n [For example,] if your weakness is \u2018organization,\u2019 give an example of a time when you identified your weaker organization skills and reflected that it was holding you back in some way, and how you worked to overcome that [weakness] moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n If you’re struggling with a specific weakness example, read through old self-assessments and performance reviews. These documents are great sources of inspiration for examples of your accomplishments and areas you can improve.<\/p>\n Alagappan agrees, adding, \u201cReceiving feedback from a direct manager, skip-level managers, peers, or cross-functional partners is a great way to identify your areas of opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n One of my first performance reviews at Nickelodeon mentioned I should speak up more during meetings. Since then, I have come to lead several bi-weekly and monthly meetings, which I did because of the encouragement from my manager.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n The answer, \u201cI\u2019m a perfectionist\u201d won\u2018t cut it because it\u2019s not a real weakness.<\/p>\n Perfectionism can never be attained \u2014 it’s a fear-based pattern that leads to short-term rewards like getting the job done early and exceeding expectations but can ultimately lead to burnout<\/a>.<\/p>\n Instead, choose a real weakness. Underneath the desire to do perfect work may lie a more authentic weakness like trouble asking for help or reluctance to delegate.<\/p>\n Hiring managers don’t expect you to overcome your weaknesses overnight. As Patel told me, \u201cHiring managers are normal people with their own shortcomings, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone has areas they must continuously work on to keep their skills sharp, so show the interviewer that you\u2019re aware of your weak points and working to improve.<\/p>\n Humanizing yourself in the interview allows your interviewer to connect and visualize working with you in the future. It’s not just about weaknesses that pertain to the job.<\/p>\n In my personal life, I have trouble saying \u201cno\u201d to friends. This is a relatable weakness in both work and life. Demonstrating your self-awareness this way shows that you understand that self-improvement correlates to work performance.<\/p>\n Overall, growth is a part of life. Think about people you look up to that may be related to the field that you’re in. Ask yourself what character traits those people have and what work you might need to do to get there.<\/p>\n For example, I\u2019m inspired by my manager who I believe strikes the perfect balance between self-assuredness and kindness. I know I can achieve this by making myself heard in meetings and listening to my gut even when others may think differently.<\/p>\n The most important thing when responding to the question \u201cWhat is your greatest weakness?\u201d is to exhibit confidence in your answer. Luckily, confidence can be learned \u2014 it begins with being honest with yourself and knowing you\u2019re being truthful in what you say.<\/p>\n If you\u2018ve identified an area of weakness and feel sure about it, let that assurance shine through in your answer. As I\u2019ve mentioned, everyone has areas of improvement, so there\u2019s no need to feel embarrassed about something you struggle with that you\u2019re working to refine.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Now that you know the most effective answers and best practices for choosing a weakness, it\u2019s time for the true test: delivering the answer to the interviewer.<\/p>\n This doesn\u2019t have to be panic-inducing \u2014 I like to imagine talking through this question with my best friend.<\/p>\n Here are five tips I follow to eliminate some of the fear:<\/p>\n Practice your answer beforehand. <\/strong>I prefer practicing interview questions like this one with friends so I can receive live feedback, but practicing aloud to yourself in a mirror can be equally effective. <\/p>\n Look the interviewer in the eye and project confidence.<\/strong> I can relate to how difficult it is to feel secure while discussing your weaknesses. I manage this by not necessarily being confident in my weakness, but confident in my conveyance of said weakness. <\/p>\n Be brief and to the point.<\/strong> I typically prepare a response between thirty seconds and one minute long. The first statement should directly state your weakness, and the rest of the answer should highlight how you\u2019re overcoming it. <\/p>\n Understand the interviewer\u2019s goal. <\/strong>The \u201cWhat is your greatest weakness?\u201d question isn\u2019t meant to disqualify you. It\u2019s just another way for interviewers to learn your soft personal and professional attributes. <\/p>\n Showcase your personality while keeping it professional.<\/strong> I like to infuse some humor into interviews. It helps take the edge off the nerves and helps me build more of a connection with the hiring manager. <\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> These tips also apply to other common interview questions like “How do you handle conflict?” or “What motivates you?” So, be sure to plan accordingly. Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of questions<\/a>\u00a0for easy prepping).<\/p>\n
\n 12 Best Weaknesses to Share With an Interviewer<\/a>
\n Other Common Interview Weaknesses<\/a>
\n How to Identify Your Greatest Weakness<\/a>
\n How to Answer \u201cWhat Are Your Greatest Weaknesses?\u201d<\/a>
\n 5 Tips for Talking About Weaknesses in Job Interviews<\/a> <\/p>\nWhat are good weaknesses to say in an interview?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n How did I notice this weakness in myself?
\n How did I react to that realization?
\n What steps am I taking to notice that habit at the moment?
\n What am I doing to change this behavior? <\/p>\n1. I have difficulty working with others.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cI can struggle when working with a team \u2014 I am incredibly self-sufficient, so it\u2018s difficult to rely on others to complete my work. That\u2019s why I\u2018ve pursued roles that require someone to work independently. However, I\u2019ve also worked to improve this weakness by enrolling in team-building workshops. While I typically work independently, I must learn to trust my coworkers and ask for outside help when necessary.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n 7 Habits of Highly Effective People [Summary & Takeaways]<\/a> <\/p>\n2. I can be disorganized.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cI struggle with organization. While it has yet to impact my performance, I\u2018ve noticed my messy desk and cluttered inbox interfere with my efficiency. Over time, I\u2019ve learned to set aside time to organize my physical and digital space, and I’ve seen it improve my efficiency levels throughout the week.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n Time-saving AI Tools Video<\/a> <\/p>\n3. I have trouble delegating work.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cI sometimes find it difficult to delegate responsibility when I can finish the task well myself. However, when I became manager in my last role, it became imperative I learn to delegate tasks to ease some of the work off of my plate while allowing my direct reports to take on more responsibility. To maintain a sense of control when delegating tasks, I implemented a project management system to oversee the progress of a project. This system enabled me to improve my ability to delegate efficiently.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n How to Delegate Your Work to ChatGPT Podcast<\/a> <\/p>\n4. I\u2019m timid when providing feedback.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cOften, I can be timid when providing constructive feedback to coworkers or managers, out of fear of hurting someone\u2018s feelings. However, in my last role, my coworker asked me to edit some of his pieces and provide feedback for areas of improvement. Through my experience with him, I realized feedback can be helpful and kind when delivered correctly. Since then, I\u2019ve become better at offering feedback and realized I can use empathy to provide thoughtful, productive feedback.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n Tips for Giving Feedback<\/a>
\n How to Give Negative Feedback<\/a> <\/p>\n5. I can come across as too blunt.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cMy blunt, straightforward nature has allowed me to succeed over the years as a team manager, because I can get things done efficiently, and people often appreciate my honesty. However, I’ve recognized my bluntness doesn\u2019t always serve my employees well when delivering feedback. To combat this, I’ve worked to develop empathy and deeper relationships with those I manage. Additionally, I took an online leadership management course, and worked with the professor to develop my ability to deliver feedback.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n How to Communicate Like a Leader<\/a> <\/p>\n6. I fear public speaking.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cPublic speaking makes me nervous. While I don\u2018t need to do much public speaking as a web designer, I still feel that it\u2019s an important skill \u2014 especially when I want to offer my opinion during a meeting. To combat this, I spoke with my manager and she recommended I speak at each team meeting for a few minutes about our project timeline, deadlines, and goals when developing a website for a client. This practice has enabled me to relax and see public speaking as an opportunity to help my team members do their jobs effectively.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n Tips for Mastering Public Speaking<\/a> <\/p>\n7. I struggle with analyzing data.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cI\u2018m not great at analyzing data or numbers. However, I recognize this flaw can prevent me from understanding how my content performs online. In my last role, I set up monthly meetings with the SEO manager to discuss analytics and how our posts were performing. Additionally, I received my Google Analytics certificate, and I make it a point to analyze data related to our blog regularly. I\u2019ve become much more comfortable analyzing data through these efforts.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n Free Analytics Resources<\/a> <\/p>\n8. I am indecisive.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cSometimes I struggle with ambiguity and making decisions when directions aren\u2018t clear. I come from a work environment that always gave clear and direct instructions. I had such a strong team and leadership that I haven\u2019t had much practice making decisions in the heat of the moment. I’m working on this by leaning more into my experience and practicing listening to my gut.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n Decision Trees<\/a>
\n Decision Making in Management<\/a> <\/p>\n9. I am a harsh self-critic.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cMy inner critic can be debilitating at times. I take pride in producing good work, but I don\u2019t always feel satisfied with it, which has led to burnout. However, I\u2018ve started pushing back against this inner voice by caring for myself before and after work. I\u2019m also learning to recognize when my inner critic is right and when I need to dismiss it.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n Your Inner Critic Is a Big Jerk Podcast<\/a> <\/p>\n10. I have a micro-management style.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cI used to work in industries where I had to cultivate a solid work ethic in my employees. This training style has been so ingrained in me that I still need to distinguish who may need that coaching and who does not. I\u2018ve been reading books on effective delegation and team building to work on this shortcoming. One technique that works for me is reassuring myself that if I establish clear expectations, my team will heed them. I\u2019ve also learned to trust my team members more.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n Management by Objectives<\/a> <\/p>\n\n11. I sometimes chat too much <\/strong>with my colleagues.<\/strong>
\n<\/h3>\n\u201cI enjoy developing a relationship with my coworkers by engaging in conversation, and that\u2018s a great team-building skill. However, I habitually carry on a conversation to a point where it may distract other coworkers. I have learned since then that there are other ways to connect with my coworkers and that if I\u2019m asking about their day, I need to keep it brief and redirect myself back to my work.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n Hubspot & Zapier CMOs Share Their Career Advice Video<\/a> <\/p>\n\n12. I have trouble maintaining <\/strong>a work-life balance.<\/strong>
\n<\/h3>\n\u201cI\u2018ve struggled with work-life balance, especially after I started working remotely during the pandemic. This increased my stress levels to the point where my productivity was at an all-time low, and I didn\u2019t bring my best self to work. Because I want to continue working remotely, I\u2018ve added better structure to my day and instituted a sharp start and end time. I\u2019ve already seen improvements in my levels of focus during work hours.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n
\n Work-Life Balance Hacks<\/a>
\n Work-Life Integration<\/a> <\/p>\nOther Common Interview Weaknesses<\/strong><\/h2>\n
“What Are Your Weaknesses?” Examples<\/h3>\n
\n Managing missed deadlines.
\n Not being able to prioritize multiple tasks at a time.
\n Delaying tasks unnecessarily. <\/p>\n
\n Having trouble adapting to new processes or technologies.
\n Striving for perfection.
\n Finding it hard to let go of projects. <\/p>\n
\n Difficulty working with different personalities.
\n Difficulty delegating tasks.
\n Challenges asking for help. <\/p>\n
\n Struggling to say \u201cno.\u201d
\n Being hesitant to speak up or advocate for yourself.
\n Lacking self-assurance.
\n Avoiding taking responsibility for mistakes.
\n Being late occasionally. <\/p>\nHow to Identify Your Greatest Weakness<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Rule out any skills that are listed in the job description.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Consider weaknesses that you have overcome.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Find inspiration by looking through old performance reviews.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to Answer \u201cWhat Are Your Greatest Weaknesses?\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Be honest and choose a real weakness.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Provide an example of how you’ve worked to improve your weakness or learn a new skill to combat the issue.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Think about weaknesses in your personal life.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Think of where you’d like to be and what support you need to get there.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Don’t be arrogant or underestimate yourself.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5 Tips for Talking About Weaknesses in Job Interviews<\/strong><\/h2>\n