One of the most talked about interview questions in the world. There are many who feel most anxious for this question during the interview, but I ask why? Talking about your weaknesses should not be a concern. We all have weaknesses, and those that don’t believe so, are quite narcissistic. Allow yourself to think about some weaknesses you may have professionally. If needed and if you can handle it, ask friends or co-workers you can trust to provide feedback.
Keep an open mind on what they say, take notes, and then craft a plan on how to address a weakness in an interview question. Here are some common answers to weaknesses that you may hear:
- You are super busy
- You sometimes don’t listen well in meetings
- You don’t take sufficient notes for asks that I give you
- You don’t always arrive on time to meetings
I think you get the idea, and answering the way above won’t cut it. Here are 15 examples of putting weaknesses/feedback into responses for an interview:
Weakness #1 Challenge to say “No”
Potential Weakness Answer: “Saying no can be a challenge for me. I am asked by my Manager, Senior Leadership and co-workers for assistance on projects often. When my bandwidth is low, I am learning how to ask better detailed questions to the one that needs assistance. Once I gather more answers, I discuss my current bandwidth and am able to achieve a solution and timeframe that can help that person feel supported and heard.”
It can be tough to say no to people. However, we are all busy at work, and there are times where saying no will truly benefit both parties. How can you give your best effort if your bandwidth is too low to help support?
Weakness #2 Time Management
Potential Weakness Answer: “Time Management can be a challenge for me. With the requests from my Manager, co-workers, leadership, etc. I can have difficulty putting it all on my schedule. I am learning how to better manage my day by setting goals and objectives in 15-30 minute increments in my schedule and I have designated times in the morning and afternoon for email and messages and time for meetings that will help me achieve the project’s timelines. However, this continues to be a challenge due to a busy workload that I strive to improve.”
We are all busy and time management is something we can all relate to. This is one of the best responses as most likely you are interviewing for a job that requires time management.
Weakness #3 Priorities
Potential Weakness Answer: “Priorities can be a challenge for me. With the requests from my Manager, co-workers, leadership, etc. I can have difficulty vetting what should be the main priority of the day. I am learning how to better handle priorities by working with my Manager and asking more detailed questions about timeframes and expectations.”
Prioritizing is such an important part of work but is much easier said than done. We all strive to prioritize what matters most for work during the day.
Weakness #4 Imposter Syndrome
Potential Weakness Answer: “I can have imposter syndrome. There are times where I have felt the need to answer immediately when I should have said that I need to research the answer. Something that I am learning is to respond to questions if I can confidently answer them. If not, to be transparent and then ultimately get the answer. Following up is the critical piece.”
The phrase fake it til you make it may not be best in many situations. This is a weakness that allows the interviewer to relate.
Weakness #5 Multitasking
Potential Weakness Answer: “I sometimes put too much on my plate at once for the day. As I juggle with many projects and requests, there can be moments where I am juggling too many for that day. I am learning to have a more productive schedule, set goals for each day, and keep myself accountable.”
Almost nobody multitasks well. Be focused and deliberate on what you are working on, then move to the next item.
Weakness #6 Paralysis by Analysis
Potential Weakness Answer: “Reviewing data is critical for business success. I research best practices for data and how to visualize it for clients and executives but I can encounter paralysis by analysis. With so many ways to cut data, I am learning to train myself on setting clear objectives prior to reviewing data that can shape the way I review and analyze it”
This could be a good weakness to discuss for data centric roles as we can all experience this. If you are reading books or best practices, be sure to discuss that in the answer.
Weakness #7 Asking for Help
Potential Weakness Answer: “There are times that I have a hard time asking for help. For me, some of those times are when I am considered the expert in my role but have hit a brain snap and can’t quite get a project across the line. Asking for help is one of the greatest ways to improve quickly, which I understand, and sometimes I have to take a humble pill to get the answers I need.”
Asking for help can be a challenge, especially when you feel like you should “know better”. But don’t let pride get in the way as asking for help can be beneficial for everyone!
Weakness #8 Late to Meetings
Potential Weakness Answer: “Late to meetings can be a challenge for me. I have been 5 minutes late to many meetings in my career and what I have learned is that I need to improve on my day to day time management. Ways to help assist with this challenge is setting meetings for 25 minutes instead of 30 minutes to take a quick 5 minute break and be ready for the next one. There are solutions that I am learning but it continues to be something I work on.”
A bit of a softball answer here but could be one to utilize in the right space!
Weakness #9 Fear of Public Speaking
Potential Weakness Answer: “Speaking to large audiences can be overwhelming for me. I do challenge myself, however, to speak in front of groups as I know that will help me grow professionally but I continue to be challenged with it.”
You could then discuss how this role aligns so well with your weakness as there are some potential settings that can allow you to speak in front of groups and improve on the weakness.
Weakness #10 Taking on too much for a project
Potential Weakness Answer: “I can sometimes take on too much workload on projects. Delegating can be an art and skill, one that can time a career to perfect. I am learning to ask better questions that can allow me to delegate certain tasks on a project while still feeling confident that timelines can be met.”
The phrase “the best way to get something done is to do it yourself” may work for DIY projects but is oftentimes not the best solution for corporate projects.
Weakness #11 Detailed Questions
Potential Weakness Answer: “I understand how to ask questions, but can encounter a challenge of asking the correct level of detail in my questions. There are times where I have to go back to the same person to ask the same question but in greater detail. Something that I am learning is to ask the question and actively listen. Active listening has allowed me to dig deeper to each question, which is making me reach back out for the same question less.”
Asking questions is a great thing but not asking the right question can waste time and it is a skill worth learning!
Weakness #12 Providing Constructive Feedback
Potential Weakness Answer: “Providing constructive feedback can sometimes feel clunky and difficult. That is also a difficult weakness to improve as I am not actively looking to provide constructive feedback to my co-workers daily. However, I am learning to find ways to provide constructive feedback in a manner that is productive. For example, I provide both positive and constructive feedback during the same discussion to ensure that person knows I found great things and recommendations for future presentations.”
Constructive feedback can be difficult to provide but is essential to allowing us all to grow!
Weakness #13 The Little Details
Potential Weakness Answer: “I can sometimes focus on the little details too long. There is a phrase ‘done is better than perfect’ which I have to tell myself. However, if the project is not done well, then it’s not done at all so striving for an organized and structured process is vital. I am working on this challenge by having co-workers review the end product and provide feedback on anything to be improved and then moving on.”
A great weakness that we all are challenged with. Use this answer if you think the Manager and job role could relate.
Weakness #14 The Little Details
Potential Weakness Answer: “I can sometimes focus on the little details too long. There is a phrase ‘done is better than perfect’ which I have to tell myself. However, if the project is not done well, then it’s not done at all so striving for an organized and structured process is vital. I am working on this challenge by having co-workers review the end product and provide feedback on anything to be improved and then moving on.”
A great weakness that we all are challenged with. Use this answer if you think the Manager and job role could relate.
Weakness #15 The Smartphone
Potential Weakness Answer: “Smartphones are incredible with the ability to send messages, emails, calls and much much more. With that, I have found myself to be distracted during meetings with my phone. I am learning to put the phone down or keep it at my desk when appropriate. Also, I am starting understand better why I can be distracted, such as joining a recurring meeting that I don’t actually need to be included. In those instances, I am asking to not be included in those recurring meetings and instead be invited when required so I gain additional time back in my day.”
Getting distracted by the phone is common. Use this answer as a way to provide a solution.
Weakness #16 Risk Taking
Potential Weakness Answer: “Business requires calculated risk. At the same time, I have found challenges on what this actually means and I can lean on the side of conservative risk taking. Something I am learning is to schedule a group think session with co-workers and gain multiple viewpoints. Diverse thinking helps me critically assess decisions and take calculated risks with greater confidence.”
Ask Sears and Blockbuster what no risk can do for a business.
Weakness #17 Self Criticism
Potential Weakness Answer: “I have high expectations for myself and I can be too self critical. That doesn’t mean I can’t handle constructive feedback but the phrase ‘you are your worst critic’ applies to me. I am striving to be more kind and patient with myself while also understanding that learning lessons come along with professional progression and improvement.”
Don’t be too harsh on yourself, we all make mistakes and learning how to be kind and supportive of yourself is huge!
I hope these answers can provide you with confidence in your interview! Here are just a few more tips to be extra prepared:
Tip #1: Don’t pick a weakness that draws a red flag! If you are asked this question during the interview, don’t say something that would draw attention to you in a negative light.
Tip #2: Be a little vulnerable. It is ok to tell the interviewer a challenge you face at work. Guess what, we all have challenges from work and that’s ok! What matters is that we are improving and finding ways to stretch ourselves. Answering this question (without red flags) will prove a level of vulnerability that will impress the interviewer.
Practice answering this type of question and it will become an answer that is automatic. You got this and go get your dream job!