Answering the "weaknesses" interview question


One of the trickier questions an interviewer might put to you is "what are your weaknesses?"

What are you meant to say? If you list all your weaknesses, aren't you just giving the interviewer reasons to think that you aren't up to the job?

If you read most other interview advice guides, they will say that you should list some weaknesses that are just as much strengths. Things like "I am a perfectionist" or "I work too hard".

But these answers are JUST PLAIN WRONG and could cost you the interview. Let me explain why.

In fact, I'll let you in on a secret.

It is MY job as an interviewer to form MY OWN opinion on what your strengths and weaknesses are and I will do so without you needing to tell me!

But, if I DO ask you "what are your major weaknesses?" then I will be looking for three key things: So let's take the response so loved by other interview advice guides - "I'm a perfectionist" - and work out how this can be improved so that it doesn't sound like the hackneyed response that it is.

Show your interviewer you are aware of your weaknesses



As your interviewer, I want to see that you are aware how your 'weakness' really is a weakness. Illustrate with examples where you can.

Let's stick with the 'perfectionist' interview answer for now, and show how even this response to the interview weakness question can be turned around. For instance, your interview answer may start along the lines of:

"One of my weaknesses is that I can be a perfectionist which sometimes means that I need to work long hours in order to get things done to the high standards I set myself.

As an example, I needed to complete a proposal for a new client, and I was up until 2am the morning before the presentation getting it finished, which I realise could make my work suffer the next day"
Okay, so you've established the fact that you are TRULY AWARE that you have a WEAKNESS. You're already scoring well now. Time to go on to the next stage.

Show your interviewer you know how your weakness impacts others



Your weakness may also impacting others in a negative way, so it is good to show that you are aware of how your behavior rubs off on other people.

(By the way, strong candidates, especially in an environment where teamwork is important, will ALWAYS be demonstrating that they are aware of their impact on others.)

So, to continue our example, you might say something along the following lines:

"I am aware that people who work with me can find it tiring to work with someone who will push themselves to deliver such a high standard on every piece of work that they do."
Okay, so now you're showing that you're really on top of this weakness, and that you're not trying to show it off as some kind of strength.

Now it's time to go in for the kill! I will be putty in your hands if you go on to step 3!!

Show your interviewer you are dealing with your weakness



Finishing your response off in this way will truly show that you understand that you have a weakness and THAT YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING TO FIX IT!!

Remember, everyone has weaknesses. They are not something to be hidden, but something to be FIXED.

So show your interviewer that you have set about FIXING your weaknesses. Again, examples are useful.

The response may finish something like this:

"I am now making a conscious effort on every piece of work I do to ask myself whether pushing myself to the 'perfect' solution is really being efficient or whether I would be better off putting some time into other things. I am also involving my team to give me advice on when they think I am over-doing things, and I am also asking my manager to let me know when I have done too much.

I think that I will always strive to over deliver - that's just the kind of person I am - but I am also trying to make sure that I work more efficiently and without tiring out people around me"
Next steps

So, now do you see how you should REALLY be answering the 'weakness' interview question?

Follow the three steps above, and your interviewer will know that they are talking to a high quality candidate who will continue to address their weaknesses, grow and flourish in their company.

But remember, this is just one tough of the tough interview questions which you will face. Are you prepared for them all....?

So what now?

Well hopefully you've now got a much better idea of how to answer the weaknesses interview question!

Unfortunately, however, we all know that it can take many months before you actually start picking up a pay check again.

Almost ten years ago, I left one job without another job to go to. Well fortunately I was able to get interviewed by the company I wanted to work with within two weeks, and after a whole day of interviews, psychometric tests and group exercises, they gave me an offer! But the offer was to join them in six months' time! Somehow I was going to have to support myself and my family over that time, as well as not go stir-crazy by not having a job to go to each day.

If I was in that situation today, I know that I'd be looking at many of the work-at-home businesses which can be started up for little or no money on the internet. Anything to provide a purpose to the day while also bringing in some extra cash to tide me over to the next pay check.

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