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What is a good answer to the question "what is your greatest weakness"?

During job interviews, the interviewer may ask, "What is your greatest weakness?" This kind of question stupefies me, so I am curious to know what would be a good safe answer to this question. #job #interviews

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Stacy’s Answer

I sometimes ask this question, though not always. I am looking for people who are self-aware and understand that they have blind spots. We all have them. People who are aware of their weaknesses and have strategies to manage them usually make really strong team members. Another way to ask this question is to ask about a time someone failed, what they learned from it and what they will do differently going forward. Think about an answer in these terms and you will probably find a weakness you can use in your future responses.

Thank you comment icon Thank you for your response. You mentioned that you sometimes ask the question, but not always. What, if anything, prompts you to ask the question some of the time and not all of the time? Eric
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Racquel’s Answer

Thank you for your question. This is one of the most difficult questions to answer in an interview. Even though it is a "weakness", you should always turn it into a positive and an opportunity for growth. For example, a weakness can be organization. So, here's a way to answer the question. I have found that planning daily tasks, having a checklist, and prioritizing my work from most important to least, has really helped manage my workload successfully.


Just answer the question, support your claim, and keep it simple.


I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Thank you comment icon Thank you for your response. I like your perspective of turning a weakness into a positive and an opportunity for growth; I had not considered looking at it like that before. Thank you again. Eric
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Elizabeth’s Answer

This is your opportunity to demonstrate self awareness, as well as highlight your strengths. Consider taking a strength such as harmony / agreement with others and saying "I know that I work really well with others and like to build positive relationships. It's important to me to find areas of agreement, but I don't want to avoid conflicts that need to be addressed. I try to be mindful of this potential to over emphasize harmony and make certain that issues are resolved."

Other strengths could be adaptability, consistency, empathy. Try to find something that resonates for you and express that to the interviewer, then mention how you focus to keep that from tipping "too far" into a weakness.

Always take time to pause and be thoughtful. Interviewers want to know you are providing an answer you believe, not something you memorized!

Good Luck

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Poonam’s Answer

HOW TO GO ABOUT ANSWERING THESE?

While replying to questions concerning your strengths and weaknesses, always keep the job description at the back of your mind. While tending to questions regarding your strengths, concentrate on strengths you possess that are needed for the job. For instance, if a job requires a considerable measure of work on team ventures, you may state that you are a reasonable communicator who can work with various groups of individuals.

While answering questions concerning your weaknesses, dodge shortcomings that would portray that you are unfit for the job. For instance, if the job position requires a great deal of technical ability, don’t state that your shortcoming is technology. Likewise, regardless of what shortcoming you choose, try and put a positive outlook to your answer.

E.g. you may state that you are attempting to improve a specific shortcoming, or clarify how a shortcoming may be viewed as a strength (for instance, on the off chance that you are a bit too meticulous, you can clarify how this in certainty, encourages you come up with quality work).

Thus we saw a few basic interview questions, related to strengths and weaknesses. We also saw the approach to answer them. Now you can face these questions in a better manner. That’s what we feel.

for more details: Interview Questions Related To Strengths and Weaknesses

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Simeon’s Answer

The more sincere you can make your answer, the better. I would talk to friends and family to give you honest feedback on what your weaknesses are. Then, think about ways that you have worked on or will work on that weakness. Then, in the interview, you'll be able to give a more sincere answer and have a positive direction to take the question in by talking about how you're improving.
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ritesh’s Answer

Ways to answer, “What’s your greatest weaknesses?”

It’s tricky! Here are 3 ways you must consider when answering the question.

1: Avoid the essential skills for the job

You don’t need to list the essential quality of the job. This could be a red flag from their point of view.

If you are interviewing for a job in social media, for instance, never say that technology or communication is your weakness.

You need to talk about the right weakness, think about your weaknesses in relatedness of the role you are applying for.

Example answers include:

My biggest weakness is that I am at the time little reserved – This would function in roles where communication with other people or customers isn’t required.

I’m not very good with numbers – This would be a good answer if your role doesn’t need mathematical or financial skills.

2: Pick a weakness which you have a solution for

Another good way is to concentrate on is finding a weakness, which you are actively trying to solve.

Example answers include:

I sometimes get nervous while addressing a large crowd or a meeting, but I’m trying to improve it by registering for a drama class.

I sometimes feel that I’m not good at managing multiple tasks. But I’ve begun to keep a more detailed schedule and setting up notifications, which have helped me stay focused.

Click here for full article : How To Answer Strengths And Weaknesses During A Job Interview

Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it. Costar
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Kate’s Answer

This has plauged many, so you are in good company. Employers want you to be honest, so take a moment to really evaluate what your weakness might be. It can be hard, but think about it for a moment. Once you have that in mind, find a way to twist it into a positive. Accept your weaknesses, but continue to work on them every day. This shows character growth and can catch the eye of an employer.

For example, here is my personal response to this question:
"I have found that I struggle with group work, but excell in individual work. Group exercises in college were a struggle for me, but they taught me to listen to others, respect their ideas and beliefs, and learn to reach a common ground. I definitely prefer to work alone and get the task done my own efficient way, but I am working every day to improve my interpersonal skills."

Bottom line, find out what YOU struggle with, then find a way to show employers you acknowledge it and are constantly working on it.
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