“What are your weaknesses”: How to create great answer
Today, I am going to show you how to create and give a great answer to the the “What are your weaknesses” question in job interviews.
This is a question that causes people to stumble and lose confidence in themselves when trying to answer it without proper consideration and preparation.
Many people quickly say they don't have any weaknesses and try to get rid of the question. This is not an advisable practice. With this question, interviewers are checking to see how self-aware you are about your abilities and see what you are doing to get better.
It’s ideal to be honest with yourself and with the interviewers where you can improve and grow in terms of skills and abilities. We all have areas we can get better in. Acknowledge that you have weaknesses, but use the answer to this question to show self-awareness and eagerness to improve and get better in areas you need improvement.
Here is the approach I take to answer this question:
Identify 2-3 of your professional skills that you want to improve upon and list them as areas of improvement needed (weaknesses)
List out strategies to improve these skills through taking responsibility and study (i.e reading books or taking courses)
Remind them of an example of how you overcame weaknesses in the past through intentional study and practice
Here is an example that model above concepts:
“Can you tell us a little bit about your weaknesses?”
“Absolutely! After examining my past experiences and noticing the skills gaps in my team, I recognized that I can further improve my skills in Project Management and Python skills to help me grow professionally while adding a lot of value to my team.
“I am taking steps to improve these areas by taking courses and reading books on the subjects such as ‘Agile Manifesto’ and ‘Python for Project Managers.’
“Based on my past success in developing skills in client relations and several others, I recognize that I have the ability to self-learn skills to overcome my challenges, and get better at them fairly quickly. I am pretty excited to grow my skills in these areas and help my team do better.
Please let me know if you have specific questions about my weaknesses, happy to answer them for you.”
Let’s break this down bit further:
Step 1: Acknowledge the question and identify skills you can improve
When answering this question, the first thing you must do is acknowledge the question with a simple “Sure” or “Absolutely”. This will inform the interviewer the question is heard correctly and that you will provide an answer.
Once this is done, you can identify the key skills you believe can further improve your professional career and your employees.
Can you tell us a little bit about your weaknesses?”
“Absolutely! After examining my past experiences and noticing the skills gaps in my team, I recognized that I can further improve my skills in Project Management and Python skills to help me grow professionally while adding a lot of value to my team.
Step 2: Discuss your steps or actions for improvement
Next, indicate the steps or actions that you are taking to improve on the skills you identified. You can inform the interviewer that you are taking persistent and continuous steps to improve by reading books, taking courses or getting coached to improve identified skills.
“I am taking steps to improve these areas by taking courses and reading books on the subjects such as ‘Agile Manifesto’ and ‘Python for Project Managers.’
Step 3: Discuss your past successes and your excitement to overcome current weaknesses
Finally, discuss how you have overcome past weaknesses using your methods and inform them that you are excited to develop skills and grow in identified weak areas in this question.
“Based on my past success in developing skills in client relations and several others, I recognize that I have the ability to self-learn skills to overcome my challenges, and get better at them fairly quickly. I am pretty excited to grow my skills in these areas and help my team do better.”
Professionals know everyone has weaknesses and flaws. They want to know if you are aware of yours and whether you are taking the steps to improve upon them. Tell them clearly what you are doing, get better at your skills, and advance in your field.
Step 4: Ask for follow up questions
Once you have provided an answer, you can ask if there are any outstanding questions.
Please let me know if you have specific questions about my weaknesses, happy to answer them for you.”
If they probe for more answers, provide them specific examples where you had to overcome challenges or tough projects at work. Discuss the problem, actions you took and the results you had. The best way to answer this question is in advanced preparation.
True professionals understand everyone has weaknesses and flaws. They want to know if you are aware of yours and whether you are taking the steps to improve upon them. Tell them clearly what you are doing, to get better at your skills, and to advance in your field.
Cheers!
