What are your greatest weaknesses?

Why ask this question
Referring a weakness that is so basic or stupid that the interviewer has to wonder if that’s the biggest thing (she did say one thing) you could change. Beware - this is an eliminator question, designed to shorten the candidate list. Any admission of a weakness or fault will earn you an “A” for honesty, but an “F” for the interview.

Potential Answer: Cover up strength as a weakness.

Example: “I sometimes push my people too hard.  I like to work with a sense of urgency and everyone is not always on the same wavelength.”

Drawback:  This strategy is better than admitting a flaw, but it's so widely used, it is see-through to any experienced interviewer.

Most Effective Answer 
Assure the interviewer that you can think of nothing that would stand in the way of your performing in this position with excellence. Then, quickly review you strongest qualifications.

Example:  “Nobody's perfect, but based on what you've told me about this position, I believe I' d make an outstanding match. I know that when I hire people, I look for two things most of all. Do they have the qualifications to do the job well, and the motivation to do it well?  Everything in my background shows I have both the qualifications and a strong desire to achieve excellence in whatever I take on. So I can say in all honesty that I see nothing that would cause you even a small concern about my ability or my strong desire to perform this job with excellence.”

Alternate strategy: Instead of confessing a weakness, describe what you like most and like least, making sure that what you like most matches up with the most important qualification for success in the position, and what you like least is not essential.


Example: “My e-mail communications were known to be unintentionally short and curt. Co-workers were used to my terse writing style; however, customers were not. One time, a client e-mailed me, inquiring about a new product of the company. In my reply, I pointed him to the Web site where the features and benefits of the product were described. The client took my reply as a lack of interest in him continued business. Because of this I was able to salvage the relationship, after that incident I enrolled in an e-mail communications course to ensure that my correspondences accurately reflected my intentions. as result this is a problem I am still working to correct. When I find that my e-mail messages are coming across negatively, I pick up the phone and explain”.


Example:  “If given a choice, I like to spend as much time as possible in front of my prospects selling, as opposed to shuffling paperwork back at the office.  Of course, I long ago learned the importance of filing paperwork properly, and I do it conscientiously. But what I really love to do is sell (if your interviewer were a sales manager, this should be music to his ears.)


Remember: When talking about any faults, weaknesses, or areas for improvement, it’s critical that you talk about the steps or actions that you take to limit or compensate for them,

This question can be ask as under also

  • Tell me about a time you worked on a project when your role was not clearly defined.
  • All of us have personality defects – what is yours? 
  • Give an example of a situation in which your greatest weakness negatively impacted a customer relationship or on misunderstanding. 
  • Provide an example of your existing (previous) company’s weakness and the steps you took to overcome it. 
  • Recall a time when you were given a set of instructions that you were unable to follow. 
  • What do you consider to be your weaknesses? 
  • Which technical problems are the most challenging for you? 
  • Describe a recent occasion when you felt that your level of specialist knowledge was insufficient. 
  • What did you find the most difficult about your Job?





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