One of the most commonly asked questions in a job interview is “What are your weaknesses?”. It is always great to be prepared for a job interview because you will have a much greater chance of impressing your interviewer.
If you don’t have your example answers ready in your mind, you will be more stressed and anxious than usual.
This article will guide you in identifying and assessing your weaknesses, as well as preparing thoughtful responses for interview questions. However, it’s crucial to remember that understanding your strengths is equally important. By taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment, you can gain a comprehensive view of your professional profile. This balanced approach of acknowledging weaknesses while leveraging strengths can significantly enhance your interview performance and overall career development. We’ll provide real-life example answers and show you how to integrate your unique strengths into your responses.
Sample Answers to: “What Are Your Weaknesses?”
Sample answers to the question: What are your weaknesses? While it’s important to be honest about areas for improvement, it’s equally crucial to understand your strengths. The HIGH5 strengths assessment can help you identify your top strengths, allowing you to present a balanced view of yourself. Here are some sample answers that demonstrate self-awareness while also hinting at compensating strengths:
1. “My last position focused mainly on coding in Python, so I do not have much experience in C++. My only experience with C++ was over 10 years ago when I took an introductory course in university.” – Shows a lack of technical skills.
2. “I often have self-doubt and can be overly critical of myself. Anytime I receive constructive criticism from my supervisor, I react harshly to it. Over time, I will have to learn to be less harsh to myself.” This shows being self-critical.
3. “As a child, I have always been shy. Unfortunately, I still struggle with shyness. It can be frightening to speak up, for I do not want to be judged by others.
So, I find myself remaining quiet during meetings. However, I have started to become more confident when speaking in small groups or with people I trust.” – Shows shyness.
4. “At times, I can lack patience when working with a team. I have become very independent in my personal and professional life, so relying on others is challenging to me.
To address this weakness, I have participated in team-building activities and workshops. Even though I prefer independent work, learning to trust my coworkers and ask for help is important to me.” – Shows impatience.
5. “Organization has been a struggle for me. Even though it has not impacted my performance yet, my cluttered desk and disorganized schedule could start interfering with my productivity.
Throughout my career, I have tried to set aside I ever to declutter my inbox and organize my physical space. I plan to continue doing this as it improves my efficiency levels.” – Shows disorganization.
6. “As a leader, my bluntness has helped me get work done efficiently, and some of my employees appreciated my honest critiques. However, I noticed bluntness can be counterintuitive toward producing personal growth in some employees.
I now try to be more understanding and empathetic by deepening the relationships I have with employees.” This shows candidness or lack of empathy.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
When discussing weaknesses in an interview, always pair them with your strengths or efforts to improve. For example, if you mention being overly critical of yourself, you could explain how this drives you to constantly improve and deliver high-quality work. Use the insights from your HIGH5 strengths assessment to identify these complementary strengths, allowing you to craft more nuanced and positive responses that showcase your self-awareness and dedication to professional development.
List of Examples of Weaknesses to Mention in Job Interview
Example of weaknesses you can mention in a job interview include the following:
- Shyness
- Lack of knowledge
- Nativity
- Poor handling of criticism
- Bad leadership qualities
- Self-critical
- Lack of confidence
- Disorganized
- Perfectionist (could be a strength in some roles)
- Overly competitive
- Uncomfortable with risks
Pro Tip From HIGH5
For each weakness you identify, use your HIGH5 strengths assessment results to find a corresponding strength that can help mitigate it. For instance, if you struggle with organization, you might have strengths in adaptability or problem-solving that help you manage despite this challenge. This approach demonstrates self-awareness and a proactive attitude towards personal development, which are highly valued by employers.
How To Identify Weaknesses for a Job Interview?
Identifying weaknesses might seem daunting, but it’s an essential part of personal growth and career development. The key is to be honest with yourself and view weaknesses as opportunities for improvement. However, it’s equally important to understand your strengths. The HIGH5 strengths assessment offers a comprehensive approach to self-discovery, helping you identify not just areas for improvement, but also your unique talents and abilities. This balanced understanding can significantly benefit your career path and interview performance.
Weaknesses are different from one individual to another, and they are areas of improvement, not areas to focus on. You should focus on your strengths but keep your weaknesses under control. This means that weaknesses that are impacting your performance should be identified and worked on.
The quickest way to identify your weaknesses is to take a strengths test or to ask your family members, friends, or work colleagues about your weaknesses.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Use the HIGH5 strengths assessment as a starting point for your self-reflection. It not only helps you identify your top strengths but also provides insights into potential areas for growth. When preparing for interviews, consider how your identified strengths can help you overcome or compensate for your weaknesses. This approach allows you to present a well-rounded view of yourself, demonstrating both self-awareness and a commitment to leveraging your natural talents for professional success.
