Telling a potential employer your weaknesses can be terrifying, and it might feel as though you’re digging yourself into a whole. But you’re NOT! There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question. They might be gauging your self-awareness, seeing if you would be a good fit for the role, or even just testing your communication! How can you talk about your weaknesses without making it seem like you would be hopeless in the job?
One of the biggest tips we can give you is not to say things like “I work too hard” or “I don’t have any weaknesses. You do not want to come off as though you aren’t self-aware, or that you are overconfident. No one is perfect! It is totally fine to have flaws. We all do. Being honest and upfront can put you so far ahead of the competition! Providing a detailed answer is better than saying nothing!
Common Responses
There are a few responses that interviewers tend to hear most, and that’s okay! People are often similar in their professional weaknesses. If you’re having a hard time thinking of some, here is a quick list.
- Hard time saying no
- Lack of confidence
- Procrastination
- Trouble staying organized
- Trouble asking for help.
Spin your weaknesses into something positive
Instead of saying negative words like “fail” or “bad at it” try to spin it to seem more light. For example, if you have a habit of getting disorganized, you can say something like, “In the past, my organization has been a weakness, and I came up with (give an example) to help me overcome it”. This looks amazing and shows growth and self-awareness.
Just to reiterate, having weaknesses is not a problem, as long as you are aware and always striving to improve! This question can definitely spike some anxieties, but just remain calm and stay truthful. Employers aren’t looking for perfection, the more honest you are, the better the role can be long-term. If you are prepping for an interview, check out our tips!
