Weakness Interview Question Examples

One of the most frequently asked interview question is 'what are your weaknesses'. There are several ways in which you can choose to answer the question in order to flip it to your advantage. Here is a list and explanation of the best ideas you can use to answer job interview questions related to your minuses.

Many interviewers will not ask you to list all your minus points. Let's face it, we are all aware of the amount of literature available on this topic. So, in that case, you will be expected to give your one biggest weak point.

Many people make the mistake of giving clichéd answers like, "I am too much of a perfectionist", or "I tend to prioritize my work over my personal life", to this seemingly tough question. While all these are best examples of using your strength as a weakness, they are very obvious, and more often than not, they backfire. More so, because of the fact that they are so obvious, the interviewer will turn around and ask you a counter question that might leave you speechless.

The best answer that you can give in such a case will be a weakness that is not completely irrelevant to your field of work. This will make the interviewer realize that you are, indeed, being honest and genuine in your interview. Be confident and sincere while you answer, else they may find you non-caring about your weaknesses.

An example of this answer would be, "I have faced difficulty in dealing with delegation of work. As such, I end up taking on more than I can handle." Remember to follow this with something that would tell the interviewer that you are doing something to correct this flaw, ...

... like, "But then I took counseling in time management, and it is getting easier for me to delegate and manage work, even with a team."

Another approach is saying the complete truth. Since when did planning, training, and lying for an interview become important? Considering the fact that these people can offer you a job, which you most probably will take, they will get to see you in action, anyway. In light of this, the safest thing you can do is to speak the truth. If you have a problem dealing with pressure situations, say it. If you are not very good at team playing, then say it that way.

Whatever you say, it is important that you also tell them that you are working on improving it, and how. Like, if you have a problem managing time, tell them that you have now started using a planner, and it is really helping you. Your interviewers are not robots, they are people. Make the interview interactive.

This is the best time to do that. If you are a fresher, you can say that your greatest disadvantage is your inexperience. But, you can add to that, that because of the lack of experience, you lack the restriction of mind that most experienced people have.

There are a few points that one needs to keep in mind while trying to answer this question.

• Be open while answering this question. Your body language will show restriction if you hesitate.

• Try to make it very conversational. The reason why this question is asked in an interview is because all of us are allowed to have failings. So, tell them your minuses in a conversational manner.
• Many people end up slouching when asked questions. Maintain the right posture. Nothing is worse than a person who is embarrassed of himself.

• Do not lie in the interview. Even if you do land the job, your lie will be caught. That in turn will be detrimental to your career.
• Always make sure you list more strengths as compared to weaknesses. This is so that you have a positive tilt in the balance scales. However, do not show too much pride or attitude while talking about your strengths.

• Never say that you have no disadvantages. Your interviewers are grown adults, and will instantly mark you off as pompous and unaware. A person who has a few weaknesses that he is aware of is better off as compared to one who claims he has none.

In the end, be confident in whatever you say during the interview. All the best!