'What Do You Think is Your Greatest Weakness?'
July 28, 2008 (3:20PM) by Michael Neece, Board Member & Advisor
The recent blog post, "5 Really Stupid Questions from Interviewers," elicited several comments about that oft-asked and much-hated interview question: "What do you think is your greatest weakness?" Here's my advice on how to answer.
First, ignore the conventional advice to state a weakness that's really a positive job attribute, such as, "I'm a workaholic and I spend too many hours at work." Interviewers have been hearing that for years, and they see right through it.
And the truth is, they really don't care what your weaknesses are. They care about how you handle the question and what your response indicates about you.
The trick to answering this question is to identify a new skill you're learning or planning to develop — something that is only a "weakness" because you haven't yet mastered it.
Here's a five-step response strategy for this question:
- Highlight your strengths for the position.
- Mention a new skill or area in which you are not yet as strong as you'd like to be (don't use the word "weakness.").
- Outline what you're doing to master the new skill and overcome your so-called "weakness."
- Describe how this new skill will improve your value to the company.
- Finish with a question that will redirect the interview back to your real strengths.
Here's a fill-in-the-blanks template to help you start formulating your response:
While there are several strengths I bring to this position, including _______, _______, and _______, I would like to improve my knowledge of _______. In fact, I have been involved in _______ and _______ in an effort to master these skills. I feel this is important because it will allow me to deliver added results in the areas of _______.
Here's how this example might sound if you were seeking a position in sales or customer service:
While there are several strengths I bring to this position, including a consistent record of being one of the top three performers in my previous position, strong industry knowledge, and outstanding interpersonal skills, I would like to improve my knowledge of business finance. In fact, I have been taking courses in business economics and finance at the Institute of Advanced Training in an effort to master these skills. I feel this is important because it will allow me to directly relate the sales of products and services to a customer's return-on-investment, and to recommend department cost-saving initiatives. Would you like me to elaborate on these ideas?
Did you notice the question at the end? Asking a question will make the interview more conversational, help you gain more control, and keep the interview from becoming an interrogation.
Have you ever been confronted with this question in a job interview? How did you handle it? Please share your thoughts below.
Good advice! My only quibble is that the sample response seemed sort of l-o-n-g. A real conversation has short back and forths. I fear an interviewer's eyes might glaze over about halfway through this.
What do you recommend, in general, to make interview responses more natural and engaging?
What man, in his final hour of darkness, would sacrifice his wears in favor of immortality? Who, in true hour of need, could turn his back on freedom for the cause of Power?
My greatest weakness is that I get too philosophical during interviews. I once went to an interview as a tree, and I never left.
Get it? Be like a tree? Didn't leave? That's good humor there, isn't it, Michael? This Pongo blog sure can be a wacky place some times.
Jules, maybe you shouldn't be smoking crack before heading into an interview?
Crack is whack, Marilyn. I usually down about four to six extra dry martinis before I go into an interview, and I've never NOT gotten an offer. Well, if I don't get an offer for the job itself, I ALWAYS end up getting other kinds of offers!
Hang in there, sweetie! You'll get yours!
I agree that the interviewer has no interest in what your weakness really is. I think being succinctly sincere is the way to go. That way you're not filling the interviewer with hooey (which any interviewer worth their salt will feel), and you're not rambling on elaborating on a whole bunch of nothing. I think an interviewer wants to know how they'll interact with you if you do get the job. Rambling (like I'm doing here) will stick in their minds as you trying to avoid something, or you simply lying to them. Either way, you get passed for the position.
I think this response sounds like a politician. I agree with working girl. Too loooonng and preachy. How about a plain, honest answer that still uses your basic premise of working on overcoming the short-coming?
"I am frustrated while learning a new software program until I am accomplished in it".
This is honest. It also states that I finish what I set out to do, in spite of my "weakness".
Yes way to friggin long and sooooo full of BS. I agree with Mandy..can't we just tell the truth??
My response to that question is: "My greatest weakness is demanding that my coworkers work to their full potential, when they are not!"
I agree with you Mandy. I usually say something to the effect that I would like to be more proficient at Excel (or some other software program) and am taking classes to achieve that goal.
That usually ends the question and the interviewer moves on.
Agree. Response to buffoonery and cliche questions is to focus interview back to why I am there: To highlight strengths! My response? Sir, I'll show you mine if you show me yours beyond the cliche questions!"
I agree with those of you who declared that his response is verry meaty and maybe too extensive. Although, it does touch a lot of bases and should leave the interviewer with absolutely NO QUESTIONS and maybe even hesitant to ask if there were any questions because you may elaborate once again too much! Just stick to stating your weakness and possibly why it is and what you're doing to strengthen it.
Jobs Suck anyways!..J-o-b-(just over broke)They always pay you enough to come back the next day!
OK, you all have a good point about the response being a bit long. How about trying this response tactic. When responding to a legitimate weakness in your background try the following:
"While I haven't had the opportunity to do the specific experience you're looking for, I do have related experience? Would you like me to elaborate?"
Or you could try the following alternative:
"I've had lots of opportunities to accomplish things I had never done before and a few relate closely to the experience you're looking for. Can I give you an example?"
The strategy here is to imply you have related experience (or experience demonstrating your ability to do new stuff). Then, start a conversation by asking a question.
If the interviewer states that they are not interested in hearing about related experience, then you know you're interviewing with a closed-minded jerk and no matter what you say, you're unlikely to convince them of your abilities.
For those of you who think the long strategy outlined in the first blog post it too long, try modifying it so it feels comfortable for you. Even the long example provided is only about 30 seconds in length.
Try it out the next time you are faced with a real weakness.
Cheers, Michael
I was asked, and have been asked in every interview I have ever had, "where do you see yourself in 10 years?" After getting older and realizing after several life experiences, no one knows where they will be or what they will be doing in 10 years. The last time I was asked that I answered.."I see myself having your job" (to my would be supervisor). I got the job! And when I left (b/c of moving to another city), she told me she really hated to see me go b/c she really was planning on me having her job!!!
Is is protocol to send a thank you note after an interview? Also, if so does it need to be handwritten or can it be an email?
I am an overcomer of Crack Cocaine and as a person it does not matter where you have been at in life all that matters is where you are going. I personally don't think that we should make jokes about things we know nothing about. Your comments should be placed on this webb site to help someone who may be seeking employment answer difficult questions that may sometimes arise in a interview setting. As for myself I struggle sometimes when it comes to answering the questions but thank God that he has given me the wisdom and knowledge to overcome my fears and has blessed my with a terrific job where I can be a blessing in other people lives.
Good point, Earlene. We should confine our comments to job hunting and related employment issues. I know that a little humor goes a long way, but sadly, a lot of people are out of work and need solid advice instead of humor. And for people who have overcome something like an addiction, it's hurtful to hear it made light of. I feel the same way when I hear someone say something is "retarded" when they really mean something is is ridiculous....
I sincerely applaud your success; I know it wasn't easy. KK
Once when interviewing for an engineering position I was ask, if I knew the molecular structure for polyethylene. I quickly rememered something one of my packaging professors from Michigan State University told the class one day. She said, "as a packaging engineer, you should always know how to spell Polyethyleneterephthlate." So I simply said, "no but I can spell polyethylenetherephthlate. I got a smile and the job!
Is being to loyal considered a weakness. I do invest too much into my career, certainly more than my employers.
I always like to answer this question by saying "I dont like to focus on my weaknesses, I like to focus on the positive"
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