What are your strengths and weaknesses? Best answers for a job interview in 2023

Interviews are a common part of the hiring process. But there are some questions that always strike fear in your heart. And one such question is “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

Doesn't it make you wonder how you’re supposed to list your personal strengths without blowing your own trumpet? Alternatively, you don’t want to respond with weaknesses that’ll prevent you from getting hired.

And as Amanda Abella tells Forbes, this is one of the questions that tell interviewers a lot about your character, so it holds a lot of weight. A career coach, writer, and speaker, Abella adds that it is one of the questions people have the hardest time answering.

Employers value self-awareness, honesty, and willingness to learn and improve in their employees. And, fortunately, there are ways to answer this question by demonstrating your value, to win over the hiring manager.

• Why are strengths and weaknesses important in interviews?
• How to identify your strengths?
• Highlighting Your Strengths
• Examples of common strengths and how to relate them to the job
• Understanding weaknesses
• Self-Reflection and Assessment
• Overcoming Your Weaknesses
• Discussing your weaknesses in an interview
• Framing your answers
• Common mistakes to avoid
• How to stay calm and confident during interviews
• Wrapping Up
• FAQs

Why are strengths and weaknesses important in interviews?

Defining what the question means

“What are your strengths and weaknesses?” is one of the commonly asked questions in an interview after “Tell me about yourself” and “Walk me through your resumé”. The question gives recruiters an essence of your disposition and style of work. But why do they even ask this question?

The simple answer is, no one knows you better than you know yourself. And answering the question shows them that you have a good understanding of your strengths and weaknesses - a core component to thriving in the workplace.

Being aware of what your key strengths are shows the recruiter how you can apply them to this new role. While, talking about your weaknesses, reveals whether you can recognize and put in the work to improve them.

Why do interviewers ask this question?

In addition to assessing your technical knowledge for the new role, the recruiters also want to understand if your personality aligns with the organization’s culture and if you have the potential to succeed in the new role.

While your strengths make you an asset to the workplace, they want to verify if your weaknesses will make it difficult for you to perform the job. Your ability to identify your weakness and assure them of how you are improving will work in your favor. 

How you answer this question during the job interview gives the recruiter an idea of your potential to succeed in the role and create an impact. A common question in many job interviews, preparing the answer in advance will come in handy. It will give you time to contemplate and put together the right pieces to reveal to the recruiter how you are the best hire for this role.

How to identify your strengths?

Importance of identifying your strengths

Strengths are the set of skills or character traits that you possess. These strengths make you productive & efficient in your job and hence a very good candidate for the new role.

Identifying your strengths makes it easy to answer the question, "What is your greatest strength?". It shows the potential employer how your unique skills and abilities can help you fit in, perform better and contribute to the organization’s success.

Here are some tips to identify your strengths:

1. Review the job description
   ⁠Take note of the qualifications and skills mentioned in the job description. And make note of how you will be apt for this new role. This will enable you to self-assess and identify what qualities you possess to do this job.
2. Take stock of your experiences
   ⁠Consider the different roles you've held in the past. Think of the tasks and responsibilities you enjoyed and excelled at. Then, consider the positive feedback received from your past performance.
3. ⁠Consider your personal qualities
   ⁠⁠Assess your communication skills, leadership ability, creativity, and adaptability. These can be valuable strengths that can make you stand out from other candidates during job interviews.
4. Seek feedback from people close to you
   ⁠While self-reflection is a good way to identify your strengths, also consider asking for feedback from people close to you such as colleagues, mentors, or friends on what they see as your strengths. This can offer you insights that you are yet to consider.

Highlighting Your Strengths

Talking about your strengths lets you emphasize your unique skills and abilities thus showing the potential employer what a valuable asset you can be to the organization. You can create a list of your strengths beforehand and when the time comes for the interview, you can just tailor your responses to the job’s specific description.

Moreover, customize your resume every time you are applying for a new role. Take into consideration the job requirements and tweak your resumé by including your strengths. This makes it easier for the recruiter to understand how you could be an asset to the organization.

Learn the STAR method for highlighting strengths

The STAR method is a structured approach to describing your experiences and achievements. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

This method works for answering the interview question because you can highlight your strengths relevant to the job clearly and concisely.

Situation

Begin by describing a situation or challenge you faced. For example, there was a problem you needed to solve or an opportunity you wanted to pursue in your previous job.

Task

Describe the specific task or goal you were trying to do in this situation. Again, be clear about what you were responsible for and needed to achieve.

Action

Expound on your actions to address the situation or complete the task. Focus on the strengths and skills you used to do this. Use examples such as problem-solving, communication, and leadership.

Result

End the example with the positive outcome you achieved due to your actions.

Here is an example of a simple interview question answered using the STAR method:

Question: Can you tell me about a time you had to handle a difficult situation with a customer?

Answer: Sure. In my previous job, I was a customer service representative. I once received a call from an upset customer who had received a damaged product.

I could tell the customer was angry and frustrated. Still, I remained calm and empathetic as I listened to their concerns. Using active listening skills, I asked questions to understand the situation better. I assured the customer that I would do everything possible to resolve the issue.

I contacted our shipping department and arranged for a replacement product. I made sure that we sent the package immediately, free of charge. I also kept the customer informed throughout the process. And after they received the replacement, I followed up to ensure their satisfaction.

The experience taught me the importance of active listening, empathy, and swift problem-solving. I also realized the value of following up with customers. When we ensure their satisfaction, we maintain their loyalty. This taught me valuable skills that I have carried to other customer-facing roles. And I will continue to use it in the future.

Examples of common strengths and how to relate them to the job

1. Communication skills
   ⁠Your success in the workplace is directly proportional to how clearly and effectively you communicate with your colleagues. And as one of the crucial skills to have stood the test of time, having this as your strength can make you an asset to the organization. 
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   ⁠Example answer: “I consider my communication skills as my greatest strength. As a sales executive in my previous job, this skill proved to be very valuable in forming relations with prospects. Spending time with them, communicating the organization’s goal, vision and value add enabled me to strengthen its profile in the grassroots and eventually onboard them as customers.”
2. Attention to detail
   ⁠Attention to detail is the skill of using your cognitive ability to achieve thoroughness in the assigned task. No matter how small the task, you should demonstrate a thorough concern for the work. Possessing this skill ensures you monitor, check and do the assigned work meticulously by organizing time and resources efficiently.
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   ⁠Example answer: I am highly organized and detail-oriented. This allows me to manage complex projects effectively. In my last job, I was responsible for coordinating events with many teams within the company. My attention to detail helped to ensure that everything ran smoothly.
3. Time management
   ⁠Managing your time effectively is a skill that makes you a valuable resource to any organization. It makes you a more productive employee as you know how to prioritize and organize your tasks efficiently. This results in less deadline stress. 
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   ⁠Example answer: I am very good at prioritizing tasks effectively. I can successfully develop a system to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality work.
4. Problem-solving skills
   ⁠Example answer: I am a  problem-solver and enjoy finding innovative solutions to complex challenges. In my previous workplace, I was responsible for developing marketing campaigns. My ability to think outside the box helped to drive engagement and sales.
5. Leadership skills
   ⁠Leadership skills are particularly important in managerial roles where you have the responsibility to lead, manage and motivate fellow co-workers. By motivating your teammates you can bring out the best in them and encourage them to efficiently do their tasks. 
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   ⁠Example answer: I have managed a team of employees with diverse backgrounds in my previous role and see myself as a good leader. I successfully created a positive work environment by being flexible and responsive to my team members' needs.

Understanding weaknesses

Weaknesses are certain characteristics or shortcomings you possess. These, if not worked upon can hamper your ability to perform and succeed in a workplace. Interviewers usually ask this question to see how honest and self-aware you are. They want to know what kind of work you are putting into improving these shortcomings. 

What happens when weaknesses go unaddressed?

Whether public speaking makes you anxious or you have difficulty prioritizing and managing time, there is no weakness that cannot be turned into a strength. But the willingness to accept your weakness is the first step to turning it into a strength. Leaving your weakness unaddressed can eventually overshadow your strengths and hamper your career progression. Additionally, it can also impact your self-confidence and leave you feeling frustrated.

Self-Reflection and Assessment

The importance of self-reflection in identifying weaknesses

Self-reflection is the key to identifying weaknesses. Giving yourself time to reflect enables you to understand your thoughts and responses. Take a step back and evaluate your past & present behaviors and actions. In this process, you’ll spot patterns of behavior contributing to your limitations and weaknesses. And this will in turn make you more self-aware to develop new and more effective habits. 

Here are some methods and tools you can use for self-assessment:

1. Personality tests
   ⁠Personality tests assess how you are wired as an individual and give a comprehensive assessment & understanding of how you think, work, and act. This not only improves your self-awareness but also allows you to maximize your strong character traits and core competencies. Some popular tests include Truity, High5 Test, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the DISC assessment, and the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire among others.
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2. 360-degree feedback
   ⁠A good way to see things objectively is to ask for feedback from different sources. Get the perspective of workers and friends outside the workplace. This will provide you with a well-rounded view of your strengths and weaknesses.
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3. Goal-setting
   ⁠Setting goals can also be a form of self-assessment. In the process of effectively setting goals, you find out what you want to really achieve. You also identify how much you want to reach your goal, and what you are willing to change within you to make it happen. 
   ⁠
4. Career assessments
   ⁠Career assessments help identify your interests, values, and skills. Taking career assessments can help you make informed career decisions. Assessments include the Holland Code assessment. The Holland Code allows you to match your personality to the right work environment. Finally, there is the Strong Interest Inventory assessment that helps you identify your work personality by exploring your interests in six key areas. These areas are: realistic, artistic, investigative, social, enterprising, and conventional (RAISEC).
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5. Working with a career coach 
   ⁠Career coaches play an important role in helping you set your goals and hold you accountable to achieve them. Working with a career coach or mentor can help you navigate your career path and identify areas for improvement. 

Overcoming Your Weaknesses

Strategies for overcoming your weaknesses:

1. Acknowledge your weaknesses
   ⁠The first step is to recognize your limitations and accept that they exist.
   ⁠
2. Develop a plan of action
   ⁠Create a plan that outlines specific actions you can take to address your weaknesses. Set achievable goals and create a timeline for achieving them.
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3. Seek feedback
   ⁠Ask for feedback from your colleagues, supervisors, or mentors. It will help you identify areas for improvement. You can also use this feedback to adjust your plans.
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4. Learn new skills
   ⁠Take the initiative and sign up for courses, workshops, and seminars. You can also read books to help you develop your skills to overcome your weaknesses.
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5. Keep practicing
   ⁠Practice your new skills and behaviors regularly, both inside and outside of work.
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6. Stay positive
   ⁠Focus on your progress, not your failures. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem!
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7. Ask for help
   ⁠If you struggle to overcome your weaknesses, don't hesitate to ask for help. Talk to your supervisor about areas where you can improve. Or seek guidance from a mentor, coach, or therapist.

Also read: 10 dominant qualities of highly effective employees

Discussing your weaknesses in an interview

How to approach discussing your weaknesses

1. Be honest
   ⁠Be candid, acknowledge your weaknesses, and provide specific examples.
   ⁠
   ⁠Example: I often find it difficult to delegate tasks as I feel I can do it well myself. But I had to develop this critical skill when I entered the manager role in my previous job. Although it took some time and trouble to learn, I managed to delegate tasks and ensure my teammates became better collaborators and team players. I maintained a project management log and regularly interacted with them to ensure the tasks were running smoothly.
   ⁠
2. Frame it in a positive way
   ⁠Talk about how improving your weaknesses has led to personal growth and development.
   ⁠
   ⁠Example: I always seek feedback from my colleagues and mentors to identify my areas of weakness. I actively work on them through personal development plans and self-reflection. As a result, I have seen significant growth in my skills and abilities. I am now more confident about my ability to take on new challenges and responsibilities.
   ⁠
3. Relate it to the job
   ⁠Explain how overcoming your weaknesses will help you perform better in the new role. Link how improving on your shortcomings contributes to the company's success.
   ⁠
   ⁠Example: As a marketer, I've been improving my analytical skills. Improving my analytical skills helps me better analyze and understand consumer behavior. Additionally it has helped me create more effective campaigns. If hired, these skills will help your organization fulfill its marketing goals.
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4. Avoid making excuses
   ⁠Take ownership of your weaknesses instead of making excuses. Reiterate how you are taking steps to overcome them.
   ⁠
   ⁠Example: I take full ownership and responsibility for my work. I  focus on identifying the root cause to prevent similar errors in the future. I continuously work on my weaknesses through professional development opportunities and self-reflection.

Other ways you can frame your weaknesses in a positive light:

• Discuss specific steps to overcome your limitations, such as training or seeking feedback
• Show how you have already made progress in addressing your weakness
• Highlight how your other strengths and skills compensate for your weakness
• Use language that shows humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to learn and improve

Framing your answers

How to frame your answers effectively

1. Use specific examples
   ⁠When answering weaknesses for job interviews, use specific examples from your past experiences. It helps illustrate your skills and abilities. It also makes your answer memorable while demonstrating your expertise. CEO of WorkItDaily, J.T. O’ Donnell recommends citing a relevant experience. Choose example weaknesses that summarize and describe your learnings.
   ⁠
2. Be concise
   ⁠Keep your answers to what your greatest weaknesses are short and to the point. Avoid rambling. Stick to the question at hand and focus on providing a clear solution. Rambling indicates that you are unsure of what to say. More so when faced with an open-ended question. 
   ⁠
3. Show enthusiasm
   ⁠Show your eagerness to join the company. It will also highlight your enthusiasm to contribute to the organization and grow professionally.
   ⁠
4. Practice active listening
   ⁠Listen carefully to the interviewer's questions and respond thoughtfully. Avoid interrupting or talking over your interviewer. Remember to reflect on your answer before responding.
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5. Align your answers with the job requirements
   ⁠When answering, focus on how your skills and experience are compatible with the job. This also shows your suitability for the role and that you have researched the job you are applying for.

Examples of best weaknesses and how to frame your answers

1. Fear of public speaking
   ⁠Although public speaking is not a skill required for all roles, talking in front of small groups remains an essential skill for all employees. Your job requires you to effectively convey information to your co-workers and manager. You also have to engage clients at times. This involves efficiently articulating your thoughts to inform and motivate.
   ⁠
   ⁠Example answer: “I consider public speaking to be my weakness and am currently working towards improving the skill. Although I have experience presenting to small groups, I get nervous when speaking in front of a larger audience. To address this, I have been taking public speaking classes to build my confidence.”
   ⁠
2. Lack of Organization
   ⁠Being organized helps you focus on what’s more important and the work that matters. Organizational skills enable you to put your effort, time, and resources on important tasks thus making progress in your career.
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   ⁠Example Answer: I often struggle with organization. While this particular weakness doesn’t necessarily impact my work performance, a cluttered desk, and the mess around definitely hampers my efficiency. Over time, I've learned to be more cognizant of my surroundings and make it a point to organize my workspace the night before. This has greatly helped me with increased efficiency levels.”
   ⁠
3. Learning new technology
   ⁠In today’s day and age, technology is upgrading at a really fast pace. Knowing a new technology or tool always gives you an edge over others. Organizations tend to incline more toward someone who is aware of the happenings of the tech industry.
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   ⁠Example answer: There was a time when understanding a new digital tool seemed like a daunting task to me. But I’ve come a long way since and today rely on learning new technologies by watching YouTube videos and attending online workshops. I believe this helped me adapt faster to my previous job.
   ⁠
4. Task delegation
   ⁠Task delegation is a very essential skill, especially if you are someone applying for a managerial role. Delegating tasks enables you to focus on higher-level tasks while fostering teamwork. In addition, you are able to better manage your time and empower employees.
   ⁠
   ⁠Example Answer: My tendency to take on too much work at once is a genuine weakness I have. While I enjoy being busy and productive, I sometimes need help prioritizing tasks and feel overwhelmed. But, I have been learning to delegate tasks more effectively and this has helped me become more productive.
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5. Indecisiveness
   ⁠Sometimes your work needs you to make immediate decisions. And for making decisions quickly and confidently, you need to believe in yourself. This skill enables you to develop a solution mindset and improves your ability to choose solutions over challenges.
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   ⁠Example Answer: "I sometimes struggle with ambiguity and decision makings when directions are unclear. I’ve realized that today’s work scenarios sometimes need me to make decisions in the heat of the moment. I’m steadily practicing listening to my gut and taking quicker decisions that have a larger work impact.”

Common mistakes to avoid

While talking about what your greatest weakness is there is a good chance you can get carried away and lose your chance at getting your dream job. Here are some things to avoid when answering the question about your weaknesses:

1. Being too vague or generic
   ⁠Avoid giving answers that are too broad or generic. They need to provide more accurate insight into your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Lying or exaggerating
   ⁠It's imperative to be honest when discussing your weaknesses. Lying or extreme embellishing can be easily detected and could damage your credibility.
3. Not relating strengths and weaknesses to the job interview question
   ⁠Make it a point to provide specific examples of how your strengths and weaknesses relate to the job. Show how strengths and overcoming weaknesses can contribute to your success.

How to stay calm and confident during interviews

According to the Robert Half Group, having pre-interview jitters is perfectly okay. But you can manage those nerves by doing the following to stay calm and confident.

1. Prepare
   ⁠Prepare example weaknesses thoroughly for the interview. Research the company and the job requirements and practice common interview questions.
   ⁠
2. Be positive
   ⁠Use positive self-talk to build your confidence and self motivation. Remind yourself of your strengths, accomplishments, and qualifications.
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3. Breathe
   ⁠Take deep breaths to calm your nerves, relax and manage anxiety. Try the 4-7-8 breathing method. Inhale deeply for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, then slowly exhale for 8 seconds. 
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4. Body language
   ⁠Sit straight, maintain eye contact, and avoid fidgeting or crossing your arms. Body language can impact how you come across during the interview.
   ⁠
5. Be mindful
   ⁠Stay present and focused on the interview by practicing mindfulness. Take a few deep breaths, clear your mind, and focus on the present moment.
   ⁠
6. Visualize
   ⁠See yourself succeeding in the interview. Practice answering questions confidently and leaving a positive impression.

Wrapping Up

Asking about your strengths and weaknesses helps interviewers evaluate your character. It also gives interviewers a better idea of your attitude and shows whether you are a good fit for the company you are applying to. It's best to prepare example answers for this question beforehand considering it is a commonly asked question.

It's important to take time and reflect on your work performance (both past and present). Self-reflection helps identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Provide examples to help illustrate your points. Still, balancing being specific and keeping your example answers concise is also essential. No one wants to drag an employment interview longer than necessary!

If you need more time to think about your answer, it's okay to ask for a moment to collect your thoughts. A thoughtful and honest response to such questions can help you stand out as a strong candidate. Good luck!

FAQs

1. Why do interviewers ask about strengths and weaknesses?
   ⁠The strength and weakness question provides an interviewer with valuable insight into your skills and personality showing them who you really are. It shows them your areas of expertise and where you may need to improve. Your answer shows them how self-aware you are and gives them an understanding of whether you are the right fit for the job.
   ⁠
2. How do I identify my strengths and weaknesses?
   ⁠Here are some ways to identify your strengths and weaknesses:

   • Take stock of your experiences.

   • Review job descriptions

   • Consider your personal qualities

   • Seek feedback from others

   • Self-reflection

3. Should I focus more on my strengths or weaknesses in my answer?
   Both. Show a balance between strengths and weaknesses in a job interview. Show your self-awareness and commitment to personal and professional growth.
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4. Should I be completely honest about my weaknesses?
   ⁠Show yourself as an honest person who isn't afraid of admitting vulnerability.
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5. Can I use the same answer for every job interview?
   ⁠Prepare for each interview individually. You should answer the questions based on the requirements of the new role.
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6. What if I have no weaknesses to talk about?
   ⁠Talk about areas where you still need to develop your skills. Underline your commitment to personal growth and professional development.
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7. Should I mention weaknesses that are not relevant to the job?
   ⁠If the said weakness isn't relevant to the job you are applying for, leave it out. Instead, focus on the areas you can improve on for the current job requirements.
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8. How do I avoid sounding arrogant when talking about my strengths?
   ⁠Provide specific examples that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments. Show humility and gratitude. Especially for the opportunities that helped you to develop those strengths.
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9. Can I ask for more time to consider my answer to this question during the interview?
   ⁠Yes, asking for more time to think about your answer to a question during a job interview is acceptable. Especially if it is a complex question that requires thoughtful consideration.

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