How do I answer the weakness question?
What you need to know:
- You can finish your presentation by telling the panel how your improved skills resulted in you delivering your goals, describing the add value to the team members.
- You could also describe any positive feedback you may have received from your colleague which would confirm your improvement.
I am asked about my strengths and weaknesses in almost all interviews. What is the best way to respond to an interview question about weaknesses without shooting oneself in the foot? Gillian
Dear Gillian,
The reason why interviewers ask questions associated with your weaknesses, is to find out whether you have the ability and professional maturity to recognise your gaps.
The best way to present your weaknesses is to use an example where your technical gap caused or resulted in adversely affecting what you wanted to achieve. While you share the story, remember the focus is on acknowledging how your technical gap had a negative impact, showing you understand what it means to be held accountable.
The second part of the presentation is communicating what you would do differently the next time, proving you are an agile learner.
It is important to talk about what you have done, through your own initiative, to address the gap. This could be going back to school, taking a short course, or requesting for coaching and mentoring opportunities.
Initiating any one of these positions you as professional who is proactive and a self-starter.
You can finish your presentation by telling the panel how your improved skills resulted in you delivering your goals, describing the add value to the team members.
You could also describe any positive feedback you may have received from your colleague which would confirm your improvement.
Caroline Mboijana
Managing Director
The Leadership Team (U)
[email protected]
