How to answer 'What is Your Greatest Weakness?'

Last time, we showed you how to answer “What is your greatest strength?”
What you cannot forget is “What is your greatest weakness?” question always comes together.
Thinking about your strength might be easier than your weakness, but if you answer this question properly, you can show your work ethic.

One common pitfall to this question is to turn your strength to weakness.

“My greatest weakness is that I am a perfectionist. I just want all my work to be perfect! So sometimes projects and tasks could take me longer than they should.”

Does it sound like sincere answer to you?
Probably not.
Turning your strength to weakness is possible when you give a deep consideration, but it has to be original and genuine.

To build a solid, strong answer, use PAR model.
- Problem
Identify your weakness
- Action
What actions did you take in order to overcome the weakness?
- Result
What was the positive result that you got?

By following PAR model, you can show your initiative to overcome weakness, and hiring manager can see your ability to learn and grow. Rather than just turning your strength to weaknesses, this gives much depth to your answer.

[jtphenom]

Interviewer: What's your greatest weakness?
Me: I'm too honest.
I: I don't think that's a weakness, tho.
M: I don't give a flying fuck what you think.

[xermy]

''What's your greatest weakness?''

I have crippling depression.

[lukesguywalker]

Here's an answer I used during an interview, in case anyone might need another example.

P: I had a sheltered childhood, so I was shy and struggled with communications.
A: Starting with college, I volunteered to speak on panels and pushed myself to speak out during class discussion.
R: I am more confident in terms of articulating my thought to other people and more polished with public speaking.

[harrywang]

"What's your greatest weakness?"
"I am not good at interviews"

[ItsPomi]

"So, what is you're greatest weakness"
"Kryptonite"

[benjig]

Personally I think it would be more effective to show that you have the weakness, but that you're trying to resolve it in some way. Rather than acting like it is a past issue. Hence why its asking what *is* your greatest weakness, not what *was*.

[antonaguirre]

P: Introvert - social skills lacking
A: Gain more experience with interacting with different kinds of people with different backgrounds
R: More comfortable and confident in speaking with generally everyone

[heavenisonlyopenforsingle]

Weakness? "My weakness is this fucking interview because no one wants to hire me because I'm suck at interview!"

[Mendaciloquence]

interviewer: what's your weakness?

Me: idk, fire?

*Brief moment of awkward silence*

interviewer: get out

Me: sorry

true story

[Odiee]

Be sincere, but don't tell the truth??? Practice what you're going to say, but don't sound rehearsed. lol!!! What's your greatest weakness? "I tend to get angry and kill interviewers that ask me about my weaknesses."

[DiggityDoglikeDogg]

Ineterviewer: What is your greatest weakness?
Guy: I'm a perfectionist, (goes on about lacking speed while being animated and engaged)
Speaker: Did THAT sound sincere?

Ineterviewer: What is you greatest weakness?
Girl: (gives the most robotic answer while the interviewer is apparently staring down her inner demons)

[JoshHeiss]

"What's your greatest weakness?"

Probably my calves

[GoldFishNL]

This video is wrong! People dont use this advise. If the interviewer asks this, they want to hear your CURRENT weakness, telling them you had a weakness but overcame it, is basically telling them you have no weakness. Job interviewers appreciate HONESTY, Answering their questions honestly will show them that you will not try to manipulate them and you are trustworthy. Thats basically why they ask this question, to see how good your self reflection is. Everyone has Many weaknesses, if you are not able to cite atleast one, without talking it right like the girl in this video(about how she "overcame" it) you are deemed less trustworthy.

My advise: Cite a weakness that seems not TOO severe and is not directly correlated to the job you are applying for. Something like:
"Sometimes I am so sure about something that I could get irritated if people disagree, then I have to take a few deep breaths and all is fine!"
Dont tell it with a sad face, tell it with Irony, like you are mocking yourself.

[franzhaas]

JOB SPEAKER YOUR VIDEOS ARE VERY HELPFUL.THERE QUICK AND TO THE POINT AND THEY HOLD MY ATTENTION. THANK YOU!

[bsharpD]

these videos are awesome. .. great advice

[mrslove]

This is all great but when you are sat in front of them all of this information goes out of your head! I made notes now but still forget stuff!

[sigialfredob]

Excellent videos.
Getting ready to be hired!
Thanks for helping us

[manlikerobbie]

Brilliant video keep up the great work.

[JonathanOlarte]

Utilize the PAR Model... what was the Action that Resolved the Problem. If I took a class or action and it's already resolved... then it's NOT A PROBLEM or Weakness ANYMORE.

[tinarogan]

This is very helpful. I really needed this