How to answer: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

One of the most dreaded job interview questions has got to be, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Yet job seekers get this question all the time. It's often asked because your answers can reveal a lot about you and your qualifications for the job. There are no perfect answers but the way you respond can make a big difference in finding the right role for you. And if you impress your interviewer? You'll significantly increase your chances of landing the job you're applying for. 

In this article, we will walk you through the importance of answering this question, the strategic ways to frame your answers, and the examples of strengths and weaknesses that you can use in your job interviews. 

• Why do interviewers want to know your strengths and weaknesses?
• Tips on how to answer “what are your strengths and weaknesses?”
• Identifying your strengths
• Highlighting your strengths
• Examples of strengths
• Why weaknesses matter
• Knowing your own weaknesses
• How to overcome your weaknesses
• Tips on how to talk about your weaknesses in the job interview
• Examples of weaknesses
• Example answers to “what is your weakness?
• Common mistakes to avoid
• How to deal with follow-up questions
• Summary
• FAQs

Why do interviewers want to know your strengths and weaknesses?

These are some of the reasons interviewers ask this question. More details will appear in the succeeding parts of this article.

1. To learn more about the kind of person you are.
2. To gauge your level of honesty and self-awareness.
3. To find out if your strengths align with the needs of the company.
4. To get a sense of your willingness and capacity for self-improvement.
5. To determine your work style.
6. To see if you can handle stressful situations.

Tips on how to answer “what are your strengths and weaknesses?”

This question is an opportunity for you to summarise your own key selling points for the job. You have to make a good pitch on why the company should hire you, so it's important to be strategic when answering this question.

1. Base your answer on the job requirements

Before coming to the interview, be sure to read the full job description in the job ad. From there, you can anchor your strengths and weaknesses to the requirements of the job. If you have strengths that correspond to the job requirements, then make sure to highlight those.

2. Be specific

You must support your strengths with past accomplishments. Talk about previous projects or sales performances. You can base your weaknesses on the job requirements. If there's a listed secondary skill that you don't have yet, it may be a weakness worth mentioning.

3. Be honest and humble

It's important to express your willingness to acquire skills you don't have through training or mentorship. If you're honest about your weaknesses and you're willing to improve, you will come off as a self-aware person with a growth mindset. This means you're motivated to keep growing. It also means you're adaptable.

According to Mediacorp's HR head Mike Tang in the JobStreet's Quality Connections podcast, avoid overselling yourself: “If their expectation of you is too high, it might [result in] backlash because you're not delivering at a high level.”

Example of how to frame your answer:

“My strength is social media management. I have vast experience in that field. I also handled content creation and user engagement in my previous work. If I have a weakness, it would be my relative lack of experience in the cosmetics industry. But I'm very eager to work on it, and learn a lot in the process."

Identifying your strengths

Knowing your strengths is helpful not just in job interviews. It's valuable in both your professional life and personal life. For starters, it can help you choose the right career. Being aware of your own strengths can also give you plenty of confidence, not just in your job, but also in your daily interaction with people.

The best way to identify your strengths is to look at your past achievements. These don't have to be awards or recognitions. They could be milestones you helped achieve in your past work or notable projects that reveal a certain expertise.

Look for any patterns in your past experience that can be seen as your specialisation. If you're in IT, for instance, in which areas have you accomplished more? Is it in web development, coding, or IT security?

If you have identified several strengths, you can then pare them down to the ones that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. It would not be optimal, for example, to highlight your strengths in customer service when the job requires technical skills. This is most especially the case when shifting to a new career or a new industry. It would be advisable to use soft skills or transferable skills as your strengths in these instances.

Highlighting your strengths

Now that you know what your most relevant strengths are, it's important to highlight them effectively during your interview. It's not enough to tell the hiring manager what your greatest strengths are. You should be able to demonstrate those strengths to them by citing examples or telling stories from your past experiences.

You should do this by applying the STAR method – explaining the following to the interviewer:

• S – situation
• T – task
• A – action
• R – result

The best way to showcase your strength is by narrating a past project where this particular strength of yours was best used. First, you must be able to establish the context of the particular accomplishment by describing the situation in which the project was executed. Then describe the project itself, or the task. From there, you can explain the execution or the action taken and, ultimately, the achievement or the result.

It's important to be quite succinct in your answer. Ensure you cover the major points, but don't let your explanations drag on for too long, impacting your ability to cover more examples and also affecting the interviewers' schedule.

The STAR method provides a reliable and effective template on which you can highlight your strengths in any interview. It makes your claim more compelling, believable, and also illustrative. It can already give the interviewer a clear picture of how your strengths can fit the job and the ways in which you can contribute to the company.

Examples of strengths

Here's a list of personal strengths that are commonly used in job interviews:

• Communication skills – Highly valuable for jobs that entail speaking and writing skills, such as Customer Relations, Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising, Social Media, Content Creation, TV and Film Production, etc. 
• Leadership skills – Relevant for managerial or supervisory jobs and Project Management roles
• Teamwork – An in-demand skill especially for jobs that are performed within groups, such as creative work, IT, event management, sales, etc.
• Problem-solving skills – An all-encompassing skill that is useful in almost all types of jobs, but especially for those that are technical in nature, such as IT, Engineering, Warehouse Management, etc.
• Time management skills – Valuable in many jobs, but particularly those where performance is measured through targets; sales, manufacturing, video production, etc.
• Adaptability – Most relevant to jobs that require plenty of multitasking
• Attention to detail – Being detail-oriented is valuable to jobs where precision is key, such as Finance, Accounting, Project Management, IT, etc.
• Positive attitude – Optimism applies to almost all jobs, but is specifically relevant in leadership roles as well as customer-facing jobs such as Receptionist, Customer Service Representative, Sales Executive, Tour Guide, etc.

Example answers to “what is your greatest strength?”

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Why weaknesses matter

Answering “what is your greatest strength” is relatively easier. That's because most of us come to interviews with a positive mindset, focused on what we consider to be our positive traits. Being asked about our weaknesses can be tougher. For one, we don't like dwelling on them, since we often think of them as negative traits. We also don't want to give interviewers a reason not to hire us.

However, our weaknesses should not necessarily be viewed as negative traits. They should be considered instead as opportunities for growth. Behind every area where we are not yet excelling can be a project worth pursuing. It can lead to new learnings, new discoveries, and potential we may not have tapped yet.

We should not avoid thinking about our own weaknesses. If we keep ignoring them, then we are limiting our capacity for self-improvement. Identifying your weaknesses is a necessary start to further development and progressing in your career.

Knowing your own weaknesses

Identifying your weaknesses requires a lot of self-reflection. This means being honest and looking deep within ourselves. Without honesty and humility, you cannot make a real self-assessment. 

You should ask yourself: What areas do I struggle with? Where do I still have room to improve? Am I not doing enough to contribute? Which of my goals have I yet to achieve? Answering these questions honestly can help you self-check your career development.

Listening to the feedback of others can help aid you in your self-reflection. A valuable resource would be your past performance reviews. These can serve as your measuring stick on your own progress, how much work you still need to do to improve, and the courses of action you need to take. You should also take mental notes of informal feedback from your supervisors and peers, as these can be very helpful and informative.

How to overcome your weaknesses

Honesty, openness to feedback, and humility are the keys to knowing what your weaknesses are. These qualities will also help you in overcoming your weaknesses. Once you have pinpointed your areas of improvement, you can now begin to build your own developmental plan.

There are many avenues you can explore. You should also be open to mentorship, either from managers or peers, or even outside experts. You can also take courses to acquire new skills or improve or build on your current skills.

Are you a coder with little experience in web design? Then you should consider taking an online course during your spare time. Are you a marketing specialist who wants to update his or her skills? You might want to try taking short courses on digital marketing or even content creation.

Tips on how to talk about your weaknesses in the job interview

“What are your weaknesses?” can be one of the most difficult questions to answer in a job interview. Some job seekers even dread it, thinking that it may be a trick question. Jane McNeill, Director of Hays, explains that hiring managers ask this question “to find out how self-aware you are.”

The truth is, there is no wrong or right answer to this question. The only wrong answer would be “I have no weaknesses,” which would indicate false confidence and lack of self-awareness. But there are effective ways to answer this question; read on and find out! We have several tips and pieces of advice that you can use to craft your own answers.

1. Be true to yourself

Make sure to mention a real weakness that you have. Interviewers can see through you, which is why you have to answer this question truthfully.

2. Put a positive spin on it

Remember: weaknesses don't have to be negative. With this mindset, you can evoke a sense of humility, self-awareness, and above all, confidence during the job interview. Keep in mind to always support your statement with the intention and willingness to improve.

3. Choose your weaknesses wisely

The weaknesses that you mention should not go against the requirements detailed in the job ad. You want to be truthful, but not to the point of hurting your chances of getting hired. So, make sure to choose only your weaknesses that are not directly relevant to the job.

4. When in doubt, use your inexperience

Your qualifications are already detailed in your resume, so pointing to your lack of experience in certain areas will not cause further harm. However, you must balance this out by mentioning your eagerness to learn and seek improvement.

Examples of weaknesses

• Presentation skills – You can mention this if applying for a job that has little to no public speaking or client interaction requirements, such as those that are technical in nature.
• Being too hard on yourself – This can indirectly give the impression that you set a high standard for yourself and are therefore a conscientious worker. However, you must emphasise your desire to work on it, so that it does not affect your work.
• Being introverted – If you're an introvert, then there is no shame in admitting so. But mentioning this as one of your weaknesses should come with the acknowledgment of how it may hinder you in some aspects of the job. You should also express your willingness to overcome your introversion in order to become a better overall worker.
• Technical skills – This can be mentioned by job seekers applying for a job that is heavier on soft skills. Make sure to mention your willingness to be trained for any software or equipment necessary for the job.
• Leadership skills – This is an understandable weakness for people who are in the early stages of their career. You should stress that it's the one quality you're specifically working on because you plan on embracing a leadership role in the future. This gives them the impression that you're open and willing to go through a management program or some form of mentorship.

Example answers to “what is your weakness?”

Introversion

Technical skills

Common mistakes to avoid

Here are some things you don't want to do when talking about your strengths and weaknesses in job interviews:

1. Don't sound arrogant

We all want to boast about our strengths and accomplishments, but make sure to balance them out with humility. This is where mentioning your weaknesses can actually help, as it forces you to also talk about the things you need to improve on.

2. Avoid too much “me, me, me”

When narrating your past achievements, always make sure to stress the role of your co-workers. Don't make it too much about yourself because this could create an impression of selfishness. For instance, instead of framing your past success as yours, you should phrase it as “the project's success” or “the team's success” of which you were instrumental.

3. Never answer “I don't have any weaknesses”

This answer suggests a lack of self-awareness, lack of preparation, and arrogance.

4. Avoid clichéd weaknesses

You know those weaknesses that actually sound like strengths? Those have all been done before and interviewers have heard them all by now. “I work too hard.” “I'm too much of a perfectionist.” Avoid these common answers because they lack self-awareness. 

5. Don't reveal too much

It's important to be honest, but you should still be able to choose your weaknesses wisely. Avoid mentioning weaknesses that can be reasons for you not to get hired, like tardiness, tendency to procrastinate, inability to multitask, temper issues, etc.

How to deal with follow-up questions

After giving your answers to “what are your greatest strengths and weaknesses,” you should be prepared for any possible follow-up questions.

“Can you share more examples of why you consider this your strength?”

This is where having vast experience in your area of expertise can greatly help. Relate some successful projects you did in the past or even minor work problems that were solved by tapping into your best qualities.

“How do you plan on overcoming this weakness?”

You should be specific when answering this follow-up question. It would be better to give concrete plans, personal goals, and even a progress report. This lets the interviewer know how self-aware you are and how serious you are about improving yourself.

“Would you be comfortable in another role that does not emphasise your greatest strengths?”

Some interviewers may ask this, in case you are being considered for another role they feel you're also qualified for. Answering yes to this question gives you flexibility in your job options. You could also mention that another strength of yours is your adaptability and your willingness to learn new skills.

Summary

“What are your strengths and weaknesses” is an important interview question. It's a good way to gauge your fit for the job and in the company. By answering it truthfully and strategically, you'll be able to highlight your key selling points for the job. Plus, you'll also leave a favourable impression on the interviewer.

How you answer this question could be the defining factor of your interview. Remember: if you're job searching in a competitive industry, there could be hundreds of other applicants vying for the same position as you. So if you want to get hired, you have to stand out. Assure the interviewer of your strengths and willingness to overcome your weaknesses.

Be specific by citing examples from your previous experience. This will help you identify your strengths, since your resume will reveal a pattern that could point to your strengths. When choosing the right strength to highlight, it helps to read the job description. It will help you align your strengths with their specific requirements.

When talking about your weaknesses in the job interview, mention the ones that don't run against the job requirements. If you're going to mention any lack of skills, make it about the secondary requirements of the job. This way, your chances of getting hired won't get affected.

The most important thing is being honest. Being self-aware is the key to identifying your weaknesses. It's also vital to determine your capacity to overcome them. Your weakness should always balance out your expressed willingness to improve. 

FAQs

1. Why do interviewers ask about strengths and weaknesses?
   ⁠This common interview question helps interviewers determine which person is the best fit for the job and the company. They also want to see signs of honesty, humility, and potential for growth. How someone assesses themselves can be very revealing to an interviewer.
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2. How do I identify my strengths and weaknesses?
   ⁠By doing some honest self-assessment. For strengths, look to your previous experience, educational background, and most notable achievements for any pattern of proficiency. It also helps to listen to feedback from others, especially in identifying your weaknesses.
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3. Should I focus more on my strengths or weaknesses in my answer? There should be a balance to your answer. Your strengths should be able to offset your weaknesses, while it should be clear that your weakness is correctable or suggests a future path for growth. Whether you're talking about your strength or your weakness, you should always speak in terms of being productive, constantly improving, and staying positive.
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4. Should I be completely honest about my weaknesses?
   ⁠Yes. Honesty is a must when mentioning your weaknesses. You should not give weaknesses that also sound like strengths (“I tend to work too hard sometimes”). However, you must avoid unnecessary details that hurt your chances of getting hired. You must choose a weakness that is not directly relevant to the job you're applying for, plus express a willingness to improve. 
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5. Can I use the same answer for every job interview?
   ⁠Yes, you may, as long as the jobs you're applying for are the same types of jobs. Since you're being honest with your answers, saying the same thing will be unavoidable. However, you should always remember to choose specific strengths and weaknesses that align with the job requirements.
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6. What if I don't have any weaknesses to talk about?
   ⁠This means you have not done a real self-assessment yet. No one is perfect and you need to embrace this fact in order to come off as honest and self-aware during the interview. Do some self-reflection and listen to the feedback of people you respect in order to identify your weaknesses. Career coach Leah Lambert explains that leaders aren't keen to manage people who think they're perfect, “so it's always better to admit to weaknesses rather than pretending you don't have any.”
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7. Should I mention weaknesses that are not relevant to the job?
   ⁠This is a recommended tact, as to not reduce your chances of getting hired. You can mention a specific inexperience with something that the job does not directly need but you're interested in learning.
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8. How do I avoid sounding arrogant when talking about my strengths? Crediting the people who have helped you in your success is a good way to avoid arrogance during the interview. This is easy to do when talking about projects you were involved in that required team effort. You can highlight your specific role and how it was instrumental in the project's success, but be sure to give credit to the rest of the team as well.
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9. Is it better to provide examples or just talk in general terms about my strengths and weaknesses?
   ⁠Always provide examples. The more specific, the better. When it comes to interviews, a good rule of thumb is to show, not tell. You can show your strengths by telling a story to better illustrate your best qualities. By doing so, you're leaving a more lasting impression on the interviewer.
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10. Can I ask for more time to think about my answer to this question during the interview?
    ⁠Ideally, it would be better to have an answer ready right away, as it shows the interviewer that you came prepared. It will also show that you have enough self-awareness to respond immediately. If you follow this guide as well as our tips, then you will come better prepared for this question.

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