How to Answer the Greatest Weakness Interview Question

What is a Greatest Weakness Interview Question?

The greatest weakness interview question is an important question posed by interviewers to assess a candidate's self-awareness and self-improvement. It is typically asked as part of a series of questions related to personal strengths and weaknesses. This question is specifically designed to challenge a candidate to think about their weaknesses, and how they can be improved upon.

Why do Interviewers Ask this Question?

Interviewers ask this question for a few reasons. First, it helps them to gain insight into the candidate's self-awareness. By asking this question, interviewers can gauge how much the candidate knows about their own strengths and weaknesses. This can help them to determine if the candidate is the right fit for the job.

Second, this question can also help interviewers to determine the candidate's ability to think critically. By asking a candidate to explain their greatest weakness, the interviewer can gauge the candidate's ability to think objectively about their own strengths and weaknesses.

How to Answer the Greatest Weakness Interview Question

When answering this question, it's important to remain positive. Instead of focusing solely on the weakness, try to focus on how you have worked to improve upon it. This will demonstrate to the interviewer that you are self-aware and that you take initiative to improve yourself.

When discussing your weakness, be sure to include the steps you are taking to work on it. For example, if you struggle with public speaking, you can mention the steps you are taking to improve your public speaking skills, such as attending a public speaking class or practicing in front of a mirror.

Examples of Answers to the Greatest Weakness Interview Question

Here are some examples of how you can answer this question:

Example 1:

"My greatest weakness is that I am sometimes too detail-oriented. I can spend too much time focusing on the details, rather than seeing the bigger picture. To work on this, I have been trying to challenge myself to think more broadly and to take a step back to see the bigger picture."

Example 2:

"I find it difficult to delegate tasks to others. I like to have control over the outcome of a task, so I tend to take on too much work. To work on this, I have been learning to trust others and give them ownership of tasks. I also try to set clear expectations and provide feedback to ensure they are successful."

Conclusion

The greatest weakness interview question can be a daunting one, but it's important to remain positive when answering it. Try to focus on the steps you are taking to improve and to demonstrate your self-awareness and initiative. By following these tips, you can show the interviewer that you are the right fit for the job.