“What is your weakness?” This question will always help the hiring team know if you are a great fit for the role depending on how you will answer the question.
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You cannot avoid a weakness-based question in an interview. The best option is to prepare for it. Many candidates fear this question but it is never meant to crucify you. You can always change the situation in your favour by using one of these answers:
Important to note:
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When asked what your weakness is, always highlight your progress in dealing with them. Show how you are overcoming it and how you are making it into a positive thing.
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It is also important that your weakness is in line with the job at hand, this means that you cannot mention weaknesses like being addicted to movies or sleeping too much.
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Create scenarios; answering a weakness-based question using scenarios helps you connect with the question easily. It also shows the interviewer that you have dealt with your weaknesses before and therefore you are in a position to do better.
With the examples below, learn how best to answer this question in your favour:
Example 1: Multitasking
I have always loved handling many things at once because believed that it would help me do my work faster. However, this has greatly affected my work output. When there are many things to do, I can hardly concentrate on anything specific. Having learned this the hard way, I embarked on planning my tasks in terms of priority. I start with one task and only put it down when I am completely through. This has improved my productivity and reduced the panic I once had when working on tight deadlines.
Example 2: Perfectionism
I am obsessed with getting things done a certain way. One day at the office, I declined my colleague’s suggestion regarding how we could approach a client. I did this because she was new and I did not want to mess anything up. At the end of the day, my approach failed and we ended up using hers.
This taught me that everyone’s opinions matter. There are always 1000 ways to get something done.
Also read: Shocking ways being a perfectionist is stopping you from growing at work (and what to do about it)
Example 3: Procrastination
Postponing tasks is one thing that has affected me in my work. I am so inclined to do things later because I am either lazy at the moment or I think it is not as urgent. One day I failed to submit my report on time because I had thought a week was long enough to get everything done. With all my free weekdays, I decided to do it during the weekend at home. With unexpected emergencies, I was unable to get any work done. This was a tough lesson to learn. I now do my work as soon as it is assigned until I get it done; whether it is needed tomorrow or next month.
Example 4: Inexperience with specific software and computer programs
This applies if there is a specific requirement in the job description about a given software that you need to know. Be open and do not be afraid of being rejected, honesty is a great skill to show off. Do not forget that you can always be trained as you work.
I noticed that knowledge of SEO optimization and experience in using WordPress is key to this role. Honestly, I am not very conversant with SEO optimization but I have used WordPress before though not at a professional level. There is no doubt that I am a quick learner and I can assure you that once I am trained, I will execute my roles with ease.
Example 5: Fear of taking risks
I am always up for the safest option. I rarely try new things or ideas because I fear working without experience in something. This makes it unfair to my teammates since I often opt for old ideas and end up rejecting new suggestions. I am working on this weakness greatly, as much as I am not comfortable trying new ideas, I believe that even the old ideas I use were once risks taken by somebody.
Example 6: Impatient with paperwork
I always want to get work done fast. At times paperwork gets overwhelming yet there is something urgent to be done. However, I appreciate the fact that these systems are in place to help us be accountable. This has taught me to plan ahead of time in order to avoid last-minute panic.
Example 7: Lazy on delegation
Teamwork makes work easier always. But I am a bit reluctant to delegate because I love doing things my way and most importantly having control of the output. This has however failed me greatly because I end up with so much to do. The best way I chose to deal with this weakness is by allocating tasks to my teammates in line with their strengths which gives me confidence that they will get it done.
The best way to prepare for your interviews is by doing the necessary homework. Here are more approaches to strength and weakness-based interview questions.
