What is Your Biggest Weakness? (Ace this Interview Question!)

TL;DR

Learn how to answer the common interview question about weaknesses by avoiding deal breakers, highlighting a skill expected of someone more senior, and giving a concrete example with steps taken to improve.

Transcript

nope it's not okay to say a weakness that's really a strength in disguise and yes there are such things as acceptable weaknesses and unacceptable deal breakers in this video i'll first share three practical tips to help you with this tricky yet common interview question then walk you through a sample answer i use to land roles in management consult... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤝 Hiring managers expect a certain level of competency from job applicants, making it important to avoid deal breaker weaknesses.
• 🧘 Mentioning a skill expected of someone in a more senior position can demonstrate a growth mindset and showcase awareness of areas for improvement.
• 🤳 Giving a specific example of a weakness shows self-awareness and provides an opportunity to explain steps taken to address the weakness and demonstrate commitment to growth.
• 🤔 Strategic thinking can be a safe choice for a weakness when interviewing for a more junior position.
• 🙈 Confidence in presenting work in larger group settings can be seen as an acceptable weakness to mention.
• ❓ Preparation, seeking feedback, and proactive communication can be effective steps to address and improve weaknesses.
• 👥 Aligning with team members before meetings can help alleviate nerves and avoid surprises when presenting to larger groups.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are deal breaker weaknesses that should be avoided when answering the weakness interview question?

Deal breaker weaknesses include not being able to manage multiple projects, lacking attention to detail, and being unable to work well with others. Avoid mentioning these weaknesses as they are considered fundamental skills expected of any job applicant.

Q: How can highlighting a skill expected of someone more senior be an acceptable weakness to mention in an interview?

When interviewing for a more junior position, mentioning a skill related to strategic thinking can be a safe choice. Since it is not expected for someone in a junior role to excel in strategic thinking, it can be seen as an acceptable weakness that indicates room for growth.

Q: Why is it important to give a concrete example of a weakness when answering the interview question?

Giving a specific example demonstrates self-awareness and an understanding of areas that need improvement. It also allows the opportunity to explain steps taken to address the weakness and show a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Q: Can you provide a sample answer to the weakness interview question?

Sure, a sample answer could be: "My biggest weakness is lacking the confidence to present my work in larger group settings. For example, during a quarterly business review, I had to present slides on market sizing and opportunity. Although nervous, I prepared extensively, sought feedback beforehand, and received positive feedback from my manager. I continue to work on this weakness by aligning with team members before meetings and believe it will become less of a problem over time."

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Avoid mentioning deal breaker weaknesses such as inability to multitask, lack of attention to detail, or being unskilled in interpersonal relationships.

• Highlight a skill expected of someone in a more senior position to demonstrate a growth mindset and show that you are aware of areas for improvement.

• Give a concrete example of a weakness, explaining steps taken to improve, and showcasing self-awareness and a commitment to growth.