Interview Preparation
We’ve all been there: The job interview is going swimmingly. You’ve knocked it out of the park with every answer. You’ve connected with the interviewer. The interviewer is leaning in and nodding along while you talk. And then, “What’s your greatest weakness?” Gulp. Even well prepared, your mind scrambles. What do I say? What will be honest without lowering my chances of getting this job? Should I say I don’t have any? Never fear, for within the challenge lies opportunity.
When interviewers ask what your greatest weakness is, they’re handing you an opportunity to demonstrate that you can honestly assess your own abilities. Your answer is vital, because it will affect how the interviewer judges everything else you present about yourself. If your answer isn’t well thought, all of the other claims you make about your abilities may come into question.
Interviewers and hiring managers evaluate every word you say as a candidate, as well as what you don’t say. They are experts separating the talkers from the doers, but they are also seeking people who will fit well into the team and the organization. Personality counts. Managers want employees who are accurately self-aware and who can identify and address their own shortcomings as well as accepting and utilizing the developmental feedback given during a formal review or coaching session.
The question “What’s your greatest weakness?” is possibly the greatest opportunity you will have to demonstrate that you are the right candidate, not only in experience and skills but also in personality and work style.
Additionally, your answer regarding your weaknesses is a chance to revisit your strengths. All qualities of our character are two sided. The strength of being able to easily engage people in conversation can also be the weakness of spending too much time in non-productive conversation. Do you have a tremendous attention to detail? You’re probably prone to getting bogged down in details too, and possibly miss the big picture. Are you a perfectionist? Does that make you somewhat inefficient?
When asked about your greatest weakness, state that your greatest strength (reiterate what it is to reinforce it to your listener) can also be your greatest downfall. For example, “My enthusiasm in tackling new projects and my high energy level sometimes cause me to have trouble focusing on routine tasks” or “Because I value teamwork so highly, I sometimes find myself absorbed in gaining a consensus before acting”.
It’s also vital to communicate that since you are aware of your weakness you have a method for managing it. To continue the example from above regarding lack of focus, try something like “In order to keep that from affecting my performance, I use a prioritized checklist to lay out my tasks.”
As with all interview questions, preparation is the key. If you are honest and confident that you know your strengths, know your weaknesses and know how to manage them your answer to “What is your greatest weakness?” could very well be what wins you the job over the next candidate.
