How To Answer the "Weakness" Question

[Resume Writer]

Hi Everyone,

I found an article on how to answer the "Tell us about your greatest weakness" question. I tend to agree with the author of this article, however, choose your weakness carefully. You have to look at it from all sides and be able to figure out how your weakness could be viewed.

Kathy

Answering "What Are Your Major Weaknesses?" at Interview
by Jonathan Lewis
One of the trickier questions an interviewer might put to you is, "What are your major weaknesses?"

What are you meant to say? If you list all your weaknesses, aren't you just giving the interviewer reasons to think that you aren't up to the job?

If you read most other interview advice guides, they will say that you should list some weaknesses that are just as much strengths. Things like "I am a perfectionist" or "I work too hard."

But these responses are JUST PLAIN WRONG. Let me explain why.

In fact, I'll let you in on a secret. It is my job as an interviewer to form my own opinion on what your strengths and weaknesses are, and I will do so without your needing to tell me! But, if I DO ask you, "What are your major weaknesses?" then I will be looking for three key things:

1. Self awareness
2. Awareness of your impact on others
3. Self development

So work out what your weaknesses are, and package them with the following three steps to make your interviewer know that you are the right person for the job!

1. Self awareness
As an interviewer, I want to see that you are aware of how your 'weakness' really is a weakness. Illustrate with examples where you can.

2. Awareness of your impact on others
Your weakness may also impact others in a negative way, so it is good to show that you are aware of how your behavior rubs off on other people.

(By the way, strong candidates, especially in an environment where teamwork is important, will ALWAYS be demonstrating that they are aware of their impact on others.)

Okay, so now you're showing that you're really on top of this weakness, and that you're not trying to show it off as some kind of strength.

Now it's time to go in for the kill! I will be putty in your hands if you go on to step 3!!

3. Self development
Finishing your response off in this way will truly show that you understand that you have a weakness and THAT YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!

Remember, everyone has weaknesses. They are not something to be hidden, but something to be FIXED. So show your interviewer that you have set about FIXING your weaknesses. Again, examples are useful.

Wrap-up.

So, now do you see how you should REALLY be answering the 'weakness' question? Follow the three steps above, and your interviewer will know that he or she is talking to a high quality candidate who will continue to grow and flourish in their company.

 

[Vector4fun]

So,


If I answered I have a weakness for garters, black stockings, and chocolate chip cookies, but I was working on developing a higher tolerance of all three, that would be good or bad??

 

[Axel]

If I answered I have a weakness for garters, black stockings, and chocolate chip cookies, but I was working on developing a higher tolerance of all three, that would be good or bad??

Depends on your gender.

 

[nosehair]

Resume Writer. Don't you think this is a bit like "tell them what they want to hear"?

As you said, part of the proces of an interview is to get inside the mind of the interviewee. Well, you just dumped that down the tube. People who are NOT self aware, and DO NOT consider how his/her actions affect others would show an element of surprise at the weakness question. They wiggle and squirm at the very idea that you would imply they even had a weakness.
Now, with this "advance coaching", that individual will "prepare" a few "weakness" responses that make them look, oh, so good.
In my honest opinion, you are shi**ing in our backyard.

 

[phishn@daves]

So,


If I answered I have a weakness for garters, black stockings, and chocolate chip cookies, but I was working on developing a higher tolerance of all three, that would be good or bad??

Are you thinking Chocalate chip cookies in garters and black stockings like I am? You know, when you can just barely make out the chips through the nylon.........um .

Anyway, good luck with that.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Nose,

She's not telling people to "can" their answers or be fake, just giving them a logical way to tackle the task of preparing for in ainterview and organize their answers. Most have heard of the S.A.R. approach to telling personal stories (Situation, Action, Result) and this to me is simply the same sort of thing. Figure out a way to organize your thoughts and you come across better.
Notice that this advice doesn't give a list of good weaknesses to talk about (I've seen interview prep that has), it leaves the subject matter up to the individual. Hey, this is one of my weakneses(awareness), this is how I've found it affects those around me, and this is what I've done to help overcome this weakness. Next question.
Good advice, I'd say.

 

[Resume Writer]

Resume Writer. Don't you think this is a bit like "tell them what they want to hear"?

As you said, part of the proces of an interview is to get inside the mind of the interviewee. Well, you just dumped that down the tube. People who are NOT self aware, and DO NOT consider how his/her actions affect others would show an element of surprise at the weakness question. They wiggle and squirm at the very idea that you would imply they even had a weakness.
Now, with this "advance coaching", that individual will "prepare" a few "weakness" responses that make them look, oh, so good.
In my honest opinion, you are shi**ing in our backyard.

First, as Hugh said, I am not telling anyone how to answer that question. A person needs to look at their background and see what applies. What I am saying is that if a person takes a HUGE weakness and tries to turn that around, it might be impossible to make that come out as a positive. As I have said in previous posts, past performance predicts future behavior. It is hard for me to tell each person what to use unless I know their background. The main point is, take a true instance where you had a deficiency and tell them what steps you took to overcome that deficiency. It does not have to be a current weakness. You could say that you had a problem with XYZ and then tell them what you did.

I do not understand what you mean by, "In my honest opinion, you are shi**ing in our backyard." Please explain how giving this information is somehow detrimental to this board??

Further, in my posts previous to this, I instruct people to figure out why the interviewer is asking the question. It is clearly spelled out in this article. They want to know if people are self-aware and can fix a problem. Yes, the interviewer wants to get into the mind of the interviewee to see if they would be a good fit for their organization. Someone that spouts baloney answers is not going to succeed.

Kathy

 

[BoDEAN]

How about an example, ResumeWriter, of how someone answers what their weakness is? I'm sure you've heard many eye catching/great ones =)

 

[Resume Writer]

How about an example, ResumeWriter, of how someone answers what their weakness is? I'm sure you've heard many eye catching/great ones =)

I am right in the middle of meeting deadlines for two more resumes, but I will come back later on to answer this!

Kathy

 

[bart]

This interview question in my experience as a hiring manager was one that offered key insights into a person's self awareness as Kathy stated. It was always fun to play with people that had canned and rehearsed answers with no grounding in reality, as one or two questions exploring their initial answer usually left them sputtering and trying to get the "right" answer to the question, whereas those with genuine answers would usually respond with "I havent thought about that" or "that is a good question, I need to give that some thought".

Generally, it takes a very well adjusted and sharp interviewer to get past canned responses without totally rattling the candidate. I would encourage people to come up with their answer to the question after serious thought and introspection, rather than use your buddies idea, or some idea you get off a website. If you choose to use a canned response, be ready for some follow-up questions based on your answer.

 

[bobbysamd]

Answering the weakness question

Who says you have to use an admitted weakness to answer the question? Don't admit to weaknesses. Answer it with what could be seen by others as a strength.

Usually, the "weakness" question is preceded by the "what is your greatest strength" question. Keeping that in mind, answer that question with a strength that you might have; it doesn't have to be the strength. Then, when confronted with the "weakness" question, answer it with your greatest strength. I.e., "a major weakness of mine is wanting to meet deadlines and complete my work. I put in extra time to meet deadlines. I feel disappointed in myself when I cannot meet a deadline. It is my experience that deadlines are established for a reason and not meeting them as expected hurts the overall effort. Therefore, I am always striving to complete my work on time or before." Etc.

An answer like this does not actually admit a weakness but does demonstrate that you are trying to improve what many would see as a strength but what you perceive as a weakness.

 

[LUVChild]

Bobby, no offense, but as somebody who has done some interviewing at an airline before, that answer would have gotten you checked right off my list.

Everyone has weaknesses. Everyone. Not admitting to a weakness would have indicated to me (as an interviewer) that you were egotistical and unlikely to admit when you made a mistake. And if you can't admit to a mistake and take accountability for it, you will never learn from it. Not a good trait to see in somebody interviewing for a pilot position.

You miss the point of the question in the first place. The point of the question is NOT to find your weakness and grade you down because of it. The point of the question is to identify whether you have the traits of self-awareness, humility, and the desire to improve yourself.

Don't get me wrong...I wouldn't go in there and admit that you have a liking for underage girls in cheerleading skirts. I would, however, take a serious look at yourself and identify a flaw that you would be willing to work on. Or better yet, ask a trusted friend in the profession for some feedback. You might be surprised at what you hear, and the perspective that others have of you.

 

[AA717driver]

White, starched blouse. Plaid skirt(three inches above the knee). White knee socks. Black, patent-leather pumps. No cookies... TC

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

admit that you have a liking for underage girls in cheerleading skirts.

How underage is too underage?

 

[PonchoMan]

From reading your profile I assume you were one of those $hit-hot navy boys, you should know the answer to that question. Or did they close the Phillipines down by then? Of course I am just kidding.

 

[bobbysamd]

Weaknesses and flaws

You miss the point of the question in the first place. The point of the question is NOT to find your weakness and grade you down because of it. The point of the question is to identify whether you have the traits of self-awareness, humility, and the desire to improve yourself.

Well, from my perspective as an interviewee, I see the question as an interviewer's ploy to identify and eliminate flawed applicants. I guess it depends on the interviewer.

Notice that I said that I identified a personal strength (I hope) as a weakness and stated that I am always trying to bolster it. I should hope that working hard to meet deadlines demonstrates responsibility, accountability and interest in the team, and that trying to improve it presupposes humility and desire for self-improvement. Sure, everyone has weaknesses. Everyone. But why give an interviewer the chance to exploit them. If I admit to one outright flaw, undoubtedly the interviewer will conclude that I must have others.

It's odd what people regard as flaws. On The Apprentice last night, Mr. Trump canned a contestant, Bradley, who stood with his troops after they lost the ice cream selling contest. Bradley, as a group leader, waived his exemption to be fired and put the opportunity of a lifetime on the line. I thought that Bradley exhibited a lot of integrity, especially after it was Ivana who clearly exhibited her flaws. Apparently, exhibiting integrity and doing the right thing is a flaw these days. Mr. Trump saw it as a rash decision and fired Bradley therefor. Call me old-school. But, I digress.

Finally, for the sake of this discussion, I attended four regional airline interviews and a cattle call and was never asked that question.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

If I admit to one flaw, undoubtedly the interviewer will conclude that I must have others.

If you admit to no flaws, the interviewer will assume you must have bigger ones than the average types of flaws all people have, recognize and work at. You are putting your honesty in question by not admitting to flaws. If you try sliding the big strength as a flaw, you'll be flagged as a bull$hitter from the get-go.

 

[LUVChild]

"How underage is too underage?"

Hugh, the way I see it, that depends on how many firearms her father owns.

"I thought that Bradley exhibited a lot of integrity, especially after it was Ivana who clearly exhibited her flaws. Apparently, exhibiting integrity and doing the right thing is a flaw these days. Mr. Trump saw it as a rash decision and fired Bradley therefor. Call me old-school. But, I digress."

Bobby, I would actually agree with you there. I think corporate America would be a lot better place if our "leaders" took accountability for their actions, which Bradley clearly did. I could name more than a few airline CEOs that I wish had that trait of standing WITH their teams, rather than above them.

But then again, I'm not a huge fan of Trump. They guy has one huge ego, and with those type of people, you often walk on eggshells as you try to figure out what they consider to be good traits versus bad traits in their employees. I personally can't find any consistency in the man's thought process, other than he's constantly promoting himself. But, I digress.

In regards to the interview question, I don't think it's asked as often as it used to be. Perhaps because of the exact reason you brought about....some interviewers (though the minority, I believe) see it as a chance to identify somebody's weakness. Other's (and by far the majority, I believe) want to evaluate your self-awareness, humility, and desire to improve yourself. Regardless, I think that if you make an obvious attempt to promote a strength as a weakness, the interviewer's B.S. meter will go off, and you won't get the job, regardless. And at that point, it won't matter what the interviewer's intent was.

Also, and here's one last thought: if you're asked that question in a pilot interview, I would have considered it perfectly acceptable to point to a technical skill in your flying that you're still working to improve. For some people, it's a little more palatable to admit to a technical skills weakness, rather than what could be perceived as a weakness in their character. JMHO

 

[bobbysamd]

A better "weakness" answer and The Donald

But then again, I'm not a huge fan of Trump . . . . I personally can't find any consistency in the man's thought process, other than he's constantly promoting himself . . . .

I didn't think much of "The Donald" until I started watching the show. Yes, he has a big ego, but, I found that he grew on me and he impressed me as someone who would be a great mentor. Having said that, his termination of Bradley yesterday disappointed me, but proves that to succeed these days you had better not exhibit any weaknesses - or integrity.

I would have considered it perfectly acceptable to point to a technical skill in your flying that you're still working to improve. For some people, it's a little more palatable to admit to a technical skills weakness, rather than what could be perceived as a weakness in their character.

I can live with that. No matter how good a pilot you are, you can always improve and there will still always be someone who's better than you - and that's how I would answer the question.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Finally, for the sake of this discussion, I attended four regional airline interviews and a cattle call and was never asked that question.

2 regionals, 1 jet operator, 1 national and 1 major....and I was never asked the question either.