Strengths in Weakness
It’s very common for interviewers to ask you what your weakness is. Rather than list off an actual weakness, it’s better to find an answer that is both a strength and a weakness at the same time. Additionally, you want to be sure to mention how you’re addressing these flaws and improving yourself. To help you out, here are 20 solid answers that frame you in the best light while also grappling with realistic shortcomings.
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1. Perfectionism
This is a pretty common one, everyone is recommended to use. Essentially, being a perfectionist means you are willing to make sacrifices for high-quality work. The downside to this is that you often prioritize quality above everything else, which is a trade-off some employers are happy to take.
2. Impatience For Slowness
This weakness is a great way to emphasize your drive for results. Essentially, explain to your employer how you can’t stand slow processes or when results take too long, stressing how you’re looking for ways to optimize workflows and find new means to bolster performance. They’ll see this as a big win for them.
3. Difficulty Saying No
This is a completely valid and often all too realistic weakness to include. Be sure to frame it so it conveys that you’re a team player. Tell them how you can’t say no when your teammates need help, and how you’re working on balancing core responsibilities with your desire to help others.
4. Taking On Too Much
No employer’s going to complain when you tell them you’re always eager for more work and often take on too many projects. Of course, there is the issue of quality, as too much work can stretch you thin. So be sure to frame it as how you’re working on managing your eagerness with a realistic workload.
5. Stressing The Details
Essentially, stating your weaknesses is just a great way to rephrase your strengths. Telling your employer that you’re too detail-oriented and stress accuracy above all is a great way to show off your skills. Let them know that you can get stuck on small details, but your intentions are just to ensure high quality.
6. Work-Life Balance
This is a very realistic weakness that many people struggle with. Lots of people dedicate themselves to their work, often at the cost of their life balance. Be sure to emphasize how you’re often too committed to your work and can struggle to disconnect at the end of the day. Add in how you’re working on adding breaks to stay productive and avoid burnout.
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7. Public Speaking
This is a more believable and common weakness that lots of people have. As long as your job doesn’t involve public speaking, most employers will have no issue with this. You can even frame it as a work in progress and explain how you’re working on improving it, and will be willing to try and step up for presentations when the time comes.
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8. Self-Critical
Being self-critical means you’re your biggest critic. Explain how you can be hard on yourself when things don’t go perfectly, and your employer will see this as you valuing accountability. Be sure to add bits about how you’re working on improving your confidence and are trying to see mistakes as learning opportunities.
9. Lack of Tool Experience
If there’s a software or tool that your employer wants you to use, but you’re not too familiar with it, don’t be afraid to say so. As long as it’s not a core part of the job, mentioning how you’re still learning a lesser tool or are enrolling in courses is a great way to show your dedication. Plus, experience issues are the easiest to fix.
10. Delegation
Delegating tasks means handing off work to others and ensuring they get it done. This can be a difficult endeavor for someone who likes to do all their work on their own to ensure quality. Trusting one’s teammates can be hard to do, which is why this is a viable weakness that implies you’re very responsible.
11. Time Management
No matter what weakness you share, you want to make sure you explain how you’re addressing it in the next sentence. Let them know that you can struggle to manage all your time wisely. Then let them know how you’re developing solutions, whether that involves time-blocking strategies or setting alarms.
12. Conflict-Averse
A lot of people are afraid of conflict and would prefer to avoid it above all. This shows that you have emotional intelligence and value team harmony, which is something your employer can certainly appreciate. Let them know that you prefer to avoid conflict and are learning how to address it constructively.
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13. Preferring Written Communication
While this weakness is very specific, in the right context, it can be quite a winner. Emphasizing that you prefer written communication styles shows that you’re methodical and always cover your bases. Verbal communication can be a bit unreliable, especially when trying to recall past events, so this is a valid approach for sure.
14. Impostor Syndrome
This is an issue that has gained traction in modern times but is one many people can relate to. Impostor syndrome means you find yourself questioning your qualifications, and it can negatively impact your confidence. At the same time, this shows your employer that you have humility.
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15. Too Independent
Some jobs may have you working alone for long hours with barely any input from the outside world. In which case, being too independent can certainly be seen as a pro. Either way, tell your employer how you tend to solve problems on your own and have strong independent initiative. But do mention how you’re working on your teamwork skills as well.
16. Asking For Help
Lots of people struggle with asking for help, especially if they want to appear independent and driven. Explain how you prefer to try to figure things out on your own to show off your problem-solving skills. Explain that you’re still working on asking for help, noting how asking earlier can often save time in the long run.
17. Bored With Routine
This can be a double-edged sword, but your goal here is to convey your desire for growth and learning. Carefully tell your employer how you like to introduce variety in your work and are always finding ways to improve and optimize your processes. This way you seem more eager than bored.
18. Being Too Direct
This can be a strength or a weakness depending on how you look at it, so be sure to frame it as both. Tell your employer how you have a very direct communication style, and how that can come across as blunt at times. At the same time, mention how this has helped you navigate fast-paced environments and communicate effectively.
19. Shy in Large Groups
This is a weakness lots of people carry over from their schooling days. Large groups can be a bit intimidating, especially when you’re unsure about your ideas. But phrased in the right way, this weakness conveys humility, and you can add on how you’re working on addressing the issue.
20. Overthinking
No employer is going to get upset if you mention overthinking as your weakness. While overthinking can take more time and may not be the qualities you want in a decisive leader, it certainly has its perks. For instance, it shows that you’re very thoughtful and careful in your approach.
