What is Your Greatest Weakness?
"What is your greatest weakness?" is one of the toughest questions to answer in an interview. This would be a question that you include in your preparation. You should be waiting for them to ask the question because you have prepared your answer ahead of time. If you prepare your answer it will be a point for your side. Given most people don’t prepare for their interviews, this answer could be one that differentiates you from your competition.
So, What is your greatest weakness? First when preparing your answer I recommend that you change the way you read, see or think about this question. Rather than think about ALL of your weaknesses and selecting the one you think will be less likely to affect the outcome of the interview, consider a different perspective. What growth opportunities do you have? In other words re-frame the question and turn the conversation to areas you need to improve. As much as you may want to avoid this question, it will not go away. One way or the other the interviewer will find a way to frame a question that forces you to honestly discuss an area/areas of weakness you will bring to the job. Everyone has a weakness or an Achilles heal. The interviewers job is to find yours.
Depending on your answer, may determine whether you continue in the process or whether you receive a "Dear John" letter. Interviewers are looking for every reason to screen you “out” of the hiring process. Think about this question and put together an honest answer. It is critical that you discuss what you are doing to improve in the area you share with the interviewer. Make sure that whatever area you choose to use does not indicate that you will have difficulty doing the job you are discussing.
You do not want to sound negative or impatient with yourself while discussing your growth opportunity. Topics to avoid: procrastination, tardiness and absenteeism, outburst of anger, poor team playing, pet peeves, inability to get along with coworkers or boss. Things to consider discussing: Skills and abilities you would like to gain (remember it can not be something you need for position you are discussing). Work/life balance (use only if that is real for you).
Today, hiring managers will re-frame this question to box you into an answer. What am I saying? What I am saying is that many hiring managers will ask the questions in other ways. For example, they may ask you to describe a time you you failed on the job, or they may ask you to discuss what you current manager gave you as suggestions for improving your performance on the job. Questions like these find their root in "What is your greatest weakness?" Why? Because they want to make sure that you have all of the essential skills they are looking for in the position you are discussing. They want to know if you are the best candidate for the job. How much of a liability are you going to be if they say Yes. This is a great question to score points, but it can also diminish your chances if you try to wing it and shoot yourself in the foot!
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POSTED IN: Coach's Cornor, Preparation & Planning, The Interview, Tough Questions
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