You also want to make sure you dont pick a weakness that is a core skill or quality needed for the position youre applying for. Their impatience means they get projects completed more quickly and has led to better organization amongst the team. Nobody is perfect. Think of it this way if you've dedicated six months to working out, you won't be able to stop one day and maintain your progress. Lastly, don't say your biggest weakness is something completely unrelated to the job, such as an affinity for junk food, Ross advised. Turn off your notifications to resist the temptation to check in, but let people know how they can reach you if the matter is urgent. With response #1, the candidate went with one of the most overly used responses recruiters see when asked the weakness questionthe non-weakness. Time management abilities. Typically, timidity can be seen as a flaw in the workplace, particularly if a role requires someone to provide feedback to others. However, in the long-term, trying to attain perfectionism leads to burnout, low-quality work, and missed deadlines. My biggest weakness is that I lack focus. I've become much more comfortable analyzing data through these efforts.". The goal is to show candidates how your company can help themfind purposeand grow their careers. Mention that last time when you acquired skills in the short term; If being a perfectionist is a weakness, then I guess Im guilty. Do I qualify? This can be challenging in work situations because sometimes you need to stay laser-sharp and focused on what needs your immediate attention, so things don't fall by the wayside. The most important thing you can do when responding to the question "What is your greatest weakness?" Through my experience with him, I realized feedback can be both helpful and kind when delivered the right way. This can help you resist the urge to multitask, which will ultimately make you less productive. Choose a weakness that will not prevent you from succeeding in the role. Not only are interviewers bored with these responses, but its a missed opportunity to show any real character traits or personal growth over time. Another option is to invest in a more powerfulapplicant tracking system (ATS). One of the most essential parts of arecruiters jobis evaluating an applicant on how they would fit into their company. However, I've recognized my bluntness doesn't always serve my employees well when I'm delivering feedback. This answer works because you've explained how you were able to turn a weakness into a strength through real-world experience. Subscribe to the Marketing Blog below. Impatience Sample answer "I can sometimes be impatient when working with others. With former CEO. Since theyre not putting all their eggs in one basket, theres less chance of a false positive derailing the entire process. Ive always been told that Im a straight shooter and can be relied on not to sugarcoat anything. Finally, lets review a sample answer that uses this three-step formula. This makes me an excellent team member because I can say what needs to be said, even if its not something that others would want to hear. The best way to explain this weakness to your recruiter is obviously by highlighting how you make sure to respect and stick to the deadlines set, while overlooking the frustration you feel when. 1. You also want to make sure you dont pick a weakness that is a core skill or quality needed for the position youre applying for. But thinking about it beforehand can help you give a much better answer. If your weakness is that you have a hard time calling it quits on a job you've invested a lot of effort in and moving on to something else, you should emphasize that this can help eliminate mistakes that you don't see at first. LinkedIn research showsthat the number one thing candidates want to learn during interviews is the responsibilities of the role, so be sure to provide details and answer all their questions. Unable to let go of projects. My first instinct was to go to a bar recruiters frequent and see what they were commiserating about. Tell the hiring manager of your learning capabilities. Demonstrate self-awareness and an ability to look to others to provide you with the resources necessary for growth. Telling them that you are too detail-oriented may mean that you care about getting the job done carefully. Founder, career coach and interview coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com. Share steps you are taking to improve. With that in mind, below are seven of the most common mistakes recruiters make, along with tips on what you should do to make sure you don't make them. It can be time management for instance; you have learned not to take on too much work as the quality of your output cannot be guaranteed. I always make sure to double-check everything I do. Instead, focus on a skill you're trying to advance. Useintake meetingsas an opportunity to set appropriate expectations and gather all the information you need to attract the right candidates. You can also work with hiring managers and your companys learning and development (L&D) team to figure out which skills can betaught internally. Before you start engaging with candidates, consider sitting down with the hiring manager and getting a crash course on the topic at hand. Some interview questions are pretty darn easy. By asking the famous recruiters strengths and weaknesses question, recruiters are trying to figure out your work ethic, motivation levels, communication skills, decision-making abilities, and other factors that may affect your ability to do well in the offered position. With this in mind, I am working to be more mindful of my facial expressions when in meetings. That means you love your job. Try another search, and we'll give it our best shot. For example, an actuary candidate once told me: "I'm working on getting better at presenting to large groups of people by presenting to my team every week. "Oftentimes, I can be timid when providing constructive feedback to coworkers or managers, out of fear of hurting someone's feelings. Also, be sure to describe how you've already taken steps and made strides in strengthening this skill, showing your ability and desire to constantly learn and grow. I always want to be the best, which has led to me putting a lot of pressure on myself sometimes. Indeed says: "Sharing something you feel you need to improve on shows the interviewer that you are self-aware and like to challenge yourself.". Organization. In this new role, I will continue to be incredibly mindful of my facial expressions. Recruiting tips, Have blog stories delivered to your inbox, probe the hiring manager about the job requirements. This made it challenging at times to balance everything, but I find that when youre flexible and able to shift your time to your biggest priorities, there are always enough hours in the day. Have two-way conversations with your hiring managers. Of course, no one in HR wants to hear something terrible from a candidate. due to overall confidence level, voice quality, or lack of smile? Im very dedicated to everything I do. "I don't have much patience when working with a team I am incredibly self-sufficient, so it's difficult when I need to rely on others to complete my work. The best way to respond is by explaining a real weakness but offering a solution to address it. Team player. Ill always stick out the course to get the job done no matter what. Underneath the desire to do perfect work may lie a weakness of trust. This style of training has been so ingrained in me that I've forgotten to discern who may need that coaching and who does not. The problem, as explained onQuorabyAngela Liu, senior manager of talent delivery atCompuGain: "Biggest problem: Skilled labor shortage The shortage is most likely going to continue and manifest itself even more painfully in the years to come.. Free and premium plans, Operations software. This is fine, as long as you're not telling the recruiter that one of your weaknesses is also one of the key skills they're looking for. I can often see different perspectives that others may not think of when trying to solve these challenges. Hiring managers don't expect you to overcome your weaknesses completely overnight. I take pride in producing good work, but I feel like I struggle feeling satisfied with it, which has led to burnout in the past. They also want to find out how theyll fit in with the team, so its worth carving out time for them to meet the people theyd be working with every day. 3. These features can augment your instincts about candidates, helping you quickly and confidently decide who to move on to the next stage. To help me improve in this area, I give myself deadlines for revisions. To make sure that the recruiter sees this weakness in a positive light, Indeed recommends "explaining how you're making improvements in this area by focusing on the big picture" of the company. The recruiter is looking for a confident applicant who will do well within their organization, so you want to come across as someone who can handle any situation that might arise on the job while showing an optimistic attitude towards future challenges. If you've struggled with work-life balance issues in the past, it's important to state how you're restoring that balance and how it has impacted your work. Keep in mind that if you get hired, your professional weaknesses will come up in one way or another, so being open about them in advance is the best option. Don't be arrogant and don't underestimate yourself. One Reddit user said they answered that, "People say I can be condescending. My goal is to not only feel comfortable, but also to be successful working with uncertainty. (If lack of confidence is your weakness, keep reading.) Ultimately, your awareness of how you might be perceived by others shows a level of emotional intelligence, which is a critical asset for a team leader. Some try to avoid it while others try and say they don't have a real weakness. Not mentioning any weakness also makes you sound defensive. To do this, I have created a personal framework for times when I feel overwhelmed or confused by an ambiguous task that includes conducting structured research and seeking advice from subject matter experts. I came across this job on LinkedIn that requires an individual who is focused and loves to learn new things, which generated my interest in this position. You've found a helpful solution to a problem that you and perhaps others on the team face, which means you can be an immediate resource to the team. However, when I became manager in my last role, it became critical I learn to delegate tasks. "What is your greatest weakness" is one of the most common job interview questions. I'm working on this by leaning more into my experience and practicing listening to my gut.". Asking about a candidate's weaknesses is common in job interviews. Opinions expressed are those of the author. I can get really excited about the projects I work on, which pushes me always to do my best and give 110%. Tie your answer to the prospective employer and role. only have seven seconds to make a strong impression. Lack of confidence is a common weakness in the workplace. However, in my last role, my coworker asked me to edit some of his pieces and provide feedback for areas of improvement. My greatest strength is my fast-learning skills. Piece of cake. But by learning from the experiences of others in your field, youll see that youre far from alone in any of the challenges that youre facing. For example, when I was in college, I had many different classes scheduled throughout the week because my school offered so many courses. So it becomes very tricky to excite them further.. Whenever I work on a project or get together with my team, I demand that everything I do and everything we create is nothing less than perfect. In this article, well cover both strengths and weaknesses you might want to talk about during your interview. To help me improve in this area, I use a project management application so I can view how much work I have at any given time and know whether or not I have the capacity to take on more.". Everyone knows this question is probably coming during an interview. In order for them to make this assessment with you based on limited information, it requires honesty from both parties. "In my last position, I found that my supervisor gave very specific instructions about my responsibilities. Breaking through the noise with relevant, insights-based content. The best answers to this question sincerely explain a weakness and provide an example of how you are actively working on being better. When an interviewer asks, "What is your greatest weakness?" they want to find out: "My blunt, straightforward nature has allowed me to succeed over the years as a team manager, because I'm able to get things done efficiently, and people often appreciate my honesty. This answer shows that while you may be used to running your crew or team a specific way, you're willing to admit when your method isn't the most effective. A good answer to the biggest weakness interview question doesn't mean saying something negative about yourself. A top recruiter says there's only one good way to answer that question about your biggest weakness. Whether you have a healthy level of self-awareness, Whether you can be open and honest, particularly about shortcomings, Whether you pursue self-improvement and growth opportunities to combat these issues, as opposed to letting these weaknesses hold you back. The problem, as explained onQuorabyPrashant Bhattacharya, program manager of leadership hiring atCapgemini: Understanding the technical job specs and explaining it to the passive candidates [is a challenge] When we are trying to sell to passive candidates for niche tech jobs, we don't have answers to all their queries. While you might feel unsure how to answer this question, there are tons of ways to not only give a thoughtful, honest answer but also ensure it comes across in a positive light. If this is your weakness, present it to the interviewer by focusing on all the achievements you have made following the guidelines set by your superiors. The recruiter is looking for a confident applicant who will do well within their organization, so you want to come across as someone who can handle any situation that might arise on the job while showing an optimistic attitude towards future challenges. Asking predictable questions that lead to . Editor's note: This post was originally published in December 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness. When responding to "What are your weaknesses?" best answers include: 1. Unless youre aspecialist recruiter, youre unlikely to know everything about every role that you hire for but that doesnt mean that no one at your company possesses this knowledge. There are tons of questions you may be asked during your job interview by a recruiter, but one of themost famous is the recruiters strengths and weaknesses question. What areas of opportunity did you identify in your most recent performance evaluation? While math is not directly tied to my role as a writer, I believe it's important to have a rudimentary understanding of Google Analytics to ensure my work is performing well. Like saying "I'm too passionate," saying that you have perfectionist tendencies as your biggest weakness is a non-specific answer that does not tell a recruiter a story about your career. These documents provide examples of your strengths as well as the areas you can improve upon, making them a great source of inspiration. In my last role, I set up monthly meetings with the SEO manager to discuss analytics and how our posts were performing. Indeed suggests responding: "My biggest weakness is that I sometimes have a hard time letting go of a project. Before you start expressing a genuine weakness to your interviewer, get comfortable with the types of answers that make hiring managers want to work with you. When answering the recruiters strengths and weaknesses question, it is essential to be honest, positive, and captivate your interviewer at the same time. This question originally appeared on Quora: In a job interview, is . But this lack of confidence can have an impact on the overall performance of the company, for example if you find it difficult to express points of view that could improve some things. For example, let's say you're interviewing for a training . Published: So, how exactly do you figure out which weakness to talk about? It has been helpful for me to keep an updated account of the impact I've had on my team and my organization to better understand why I need to be confident in the unique skills and talents I bring to the table.I have also made it a point to express my ideas and opinions during meetings when I believe they are appropriate and will add value to the conversation. Here are a few questions to support you in identifying and communicating your weaknesses: While you want to be honest with your answer, you also want to avoid highlighting a weakness that may cause the recruiter or hiring manager to second-guess your qualifications and abilities. Asking for help when you need it or knowing how to delegate. Perhaps you don't trust that you'll be able to make mistakes on the team, so you strive to do everything perfectly. "Because I am independent and enjoy working fast, I have found it difficult to ask for help when I have needed it. I've tried to improve in this area by acknowledging it and giving myself the opportunity to refocus on the big picture. want to know how honest and self-aware you are. To combat this, I spoke with my manager and she recommended I speak at each team meeting for a few minutes about our project timeline, deadlines, and goals when developing a website for a client.