Interview Question - What are your weaknesses? | 5 sample answers for freshers & Experienced people

Summary

In this video, Diksha Arora, an interview coach, provides valuable insights on how to answer the common yet challenging interview question, 'What are your weaknesses?' She explains the purpose behind the question, highlighting how interviewers seek self-awareness and growth. Diksha offers practical do's and don'ts, emphasizing the importance of choosing relevant weaknesses and showcasing how you've worked on them. The video concludes with five sample answers, suitable for both freshers and experienced professionals, to help candidates respond confidently and impress interviewers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Interviewers ask about weaknesses to assess your self-awareness and ability to improve.
• 😀 Choose weaknesses that are not crucial to the job you're applying for.
• 😀 Focus on explaining how you've taken steps to overcome your weaknesses.
• 😀 Avoid unrealistic answers, such as claiming you have no weaknesses.
• 😀 Don't dwell too much on your weaknesses; highlight the actions you've taken to improve.
• 😀 Acknowledge the importance of personal growth and how weaknesses have helped you develop.
• 😀 Don't say communication skills are your weakness if the job requires strong communication.
• 😀 Share how you’ve grown from past weaknesses, showcasing your professional development.
• 😀 Practice framing weaknesses as opportunities for growth, not as roadblocks.
• 😀 Provide specific examples of how you've actively worked on improving your weaknesses.
• 😀 Use structured answers to show a balance between acknowledging weaknesses and focusing on solutions.

Q & A

Why do interviewers ask about your weaknesses during an interview?

Interviewers ask this question to assess your self-awareness. They want to know if you recognize your weaknesses and what steps you've taken to improve or overcome them.

How should I choose the weaknesses I mention during an interview?

You should choose weaknesses that do not directly interfere with the responsibilities of the job. For example, if the job requires strong communication skills, mentioning communication as a weakness would be a bad choice.

What should I focus on when discussing my weaknesses in an interview?

When discussing your weaknesses, focus more on the steps you've taken to overcome them rather than dwelling too much on the weaknesses themselves. Show that you're proactive in personal and professional growth.

Why is it a mistake to say you don't have any weaknesses during an interview?

Saying you don't have any weaknesses comes across as unrealistic and can harm your connection with the interviewer. It suggests a lack of self-awareness, which is essential for growth and development.

What is one common mistake candidates make when answering questions about weaknesses?

A common mistake is to exaggerate or dwell too long on weaknesses. Instead, aim for a balanced answer where you also highlight the steps you're taking to improve.

What is an example of a good weakness to mention in an interview?

A good example is saying, 'I'm a detail-oriented person, but when a project has a tight deadline, this can sometimes be less helpful. I'm working on focusing more on the end goal and prioritizing deadlines.' This shows self-awareness and the steps you're taking to improve.

How can I turn a tendency to be independent into a positive answer about my weaknesses?

You can say, 'I tend to try to figure things out on my own, but I understand the value of seeking help when needed. I'm working on being more open to asking for advice from my team to improve collaboration.' This shows that you acknowledge your weakness and are taking steps to overcome it.

How should I address the issue of being uncomfortable giving feedback in an interview?

You can say, 'I used to avoid giving feedback because I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I've learned that constructive feedback is essential for improvement. I've been practicing giving feedback whenever it's requested.' This shows growth and the development of communication skills.

What is a good way to handle saying 'yes' to too many tasks in an interview?

You can mention, 'I used to find it hard to say no to people, which sometimes led to being overwhelmed. Now, I assess my workload before taking on additional responsibilities, ensuring I have the capacity to manage them effectively.' This demonstrates self-awareness and a proactive approach to time management.

How should I talk about stress as a weakness during an interview?

You can say, 'I tend to get stressed if I think a project is running behind schedule because I take full responsibility for my work. However, I'm learning to stay calm in such situations and focus on getting the project completed on time.' This shows that you're aware of your stress triggers and are working on better managing them.