Professionally acceptable interview answers for what are your weaknesses?

[Anonymous]

Don't want to give the "I'm a perfectionist" BS but also cant say real weaknesses that would flag the interviewer ....any good ones to use?

[Anonymous]

I've used 'I tend to fixate too closely on the details of a problem in search of a solution, when sometimes taking a step back to see the big picture is more helpful."

[Anonymous]

"I like to schedule and map projects out in detail whenever I have the opportunity, which can frustrate coworkers who tend to work a bit more free form."

[Anonymous]

The trick is to provide a weakness that is a strength in the context of the position for which you are being hired. PPs provide good language for a project manager, event planner, engineer, and other detail-oriented jobs. For an executive or strategic planner, probably that's not a good weakness to cite, but saying that you dislike micromanage because you feel strongly in flexibility to meet objectives might go over well...

[Anonymous]

I think the trick is to say a weakness that is not relevant to the job, like, my HTML coding skills aren't as honed as I would like when you know that coding is not part of the job. Or, my Spanish is not as good as it used to be. Or I'm not a certified scuba diver. Whatever.

[Anonymous]

Just pick a weakness that is apparent on your resume and state how you would work towards improving it: "Since I've only worked as part of a NGO and not in administration, I will need to learn the various rules and regulations pertaining to government oversight. I have already reviewed <pertinent documentation>, and would hopefully work closely with senior staff to get up to speed quickly."

They don't really care if it is your "biggest weakness"--just show you have self-awareness, aren't cocky, and you have a plan to improve whatever weakness you select.

[Anonymous]

Do not give these bullshit "strength as weakness" humblebrag answers. As someone who has interviewed a lot of potential hires, I can tell you that with the possible exception of poor hygiene, nothing is a bigger turnoff. It makes you sound smarmy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not give these bullshit "strength as weakness" humblebrag answers. As someone who has interviewed a lot of potential hires, I can tell you that with the possible exception of poor hygiene, nothing is a bigger turnoff. It makes you sound smarmy.

Then what type of answer is not obnoxious to you?

This is why I hate this question. I also hate the strength-as-weakness answers but in an interview you're trying to sell yourself so it's a natural tendency to answer that way.

[Anonymous]

I just answer it honestly.

For me, my weaknesses are I don't do well in roles where there is lot of 'sales' or marketing type focus, or where i'm on the phone a lot, or where there isn't intellectual stimulation.

I make it clear i will take much less money to not be bored out of my mind.

I don't think my answer has ever hurt me. Probably saved me from a few jobs I would've hated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the trick is to say a weakness that is not relevant to the job, like, my HTML coding skills aren't as honed as I would like when you know that coding is not part of the job. Or, my Spanish is not as good as it used to be. Or I'm not a certified scuba diver. Whatever.

Don't do this unless you really want to look out of touch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not give these bullshit "strength as weakness" humblebrag answers. As someone who has interviewed a lot of potential hires, I can tell you that with the possible exception of poor hygiene, nothing is a bigger turnoff. It makes you sound smarmy.

This. I hate having to ask the "what is your weakness" question, but I HATE the strength as weakness answer even more. We want someone with self awareness. Pick something. Try to pick something not critical to the job your are interviewing for, but that is related. Tell us how you are overcoming/adapting to your weakness. It will be forgotten by the end of the interview.

Try to pull off the bs "I'm too much of a perfectionist?" THAT will not be forgotten. And it shows you haven't really thought about the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just pick a weakness that is apparent on your resume and state how you would work towards improving it: "Since I've only worked as part of a NGO and not in administration, I will need to learn the various rules and regulations pertaining to government oversight. I have already reviewed <pertinent documentation>, and would hopefully work closely with senior staff to get up to speed quickly."

They don't really care if it is your "biggest weakness"--just show you have self-awareness, aren't cocky, and you have a plan to improve whatever weakness you select.

This has worked for me. Or at least not lost me the job.

[Anonymous]

Np here. The bad thing is that perfectionism is my biggest weakness, at least according to my boss. I can point to two clients that I missed out on getting because I wanted a proposal to be perfect instead of just done, and someone beat me to the job. I've worked on it a lot, though, and have gotten a lot faster. Should I come up with another weakness just to not look canned?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np here. The bad thing is that perfectionism is my biggest weakness, at least according to my boss. I can point to two clients that I missed out on getting because I wanted a proposal to be perfect instead of just done, and someone beat me to the job. I've worked on it a lot, though, and have gotten a lot faster. Should I come up with another weakness just to not look canned?

Honestly? Yes. Or tell the same story but without using the word "perfectionism."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Np here. The bad thing is that perfectionism is my biggest weakness, at least according to my boss. I can point to two clients that I missed out on getting because I wanted a proposal to be perfect instead of just done, and someone beat me to the job. I've worked on it a lot, though, and have gotten a lot faster. Should I come up with another weakness just to not look canned?

Honestly? Yes. Or tell the same story but without using the word "perfectionism."

I would NOT tell a story about losing a client! Turn it into something that is not core to your job performance, that you already overcame. Mine is "i used to hate public speaking but i did toastmasters and now I like it."

This is an awful trick question.