Example Answers to “What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?” 

Learn how to effectively answer this classic yet challenging interview question.

By Venus Gentile, Monster Contributor

Imagine you’re in the spotlight of a job interview, and the interviewer throws the classic curveball question at you: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” This isn’t just casual chitchat - it’s an invitation into a deeper conversation about who you are as a professional.

Talking about your greatest strengths is usually the easy part. It’s like sharing the best segments from your personal highlight reel. But when it comes to your weaknesses, the interviewer is doing some real detective work. Don’t worry though - they’re not looking to catch you out.

What they’re really after is to see if you’re the kind of person who can say, “I’m not the best at this,” and then follow it up with a, “But here’s what I’m doing to get better.” It shows you’re not just self-aware but also a self-starter, someone who takes a little bump in the road and paves it into a personal runway for growth.

Let’s not forget this isn’t about either bragging or putting yourself down. It’s about balance.

For your strengths, this is an opportunity to highlight how far you’ve come in your career, what you’ve learned, and what you can bring to the table now. When it comes to your weaknesses, the aim is to reveal enough to show that you’re honest but also savvy about how you handle your growth areas.

In a nutshell, when that question comes up, it’s your moment to show that you’ve got a clear view of both your strengths and weaknesses, proving that you’re someone who’s not just riding on talent but is also a work in progress.

In this article, we explain how to assess your unique strengths and weaknesses and tips on how to script your answers so you can talk about them intelligently. We also give you a list of strengths and weaknesses for your interview with example answers to help you prepare your responses.

Assessing Your Weaknesses

Knowing your weaknesses before you step into a job interview is crucial for several reasons. First, it showcases self-awareness - one of the cornerstones of emotional intelligence.

Employers are on the lookout for applicants who not only understand their strengths but are also acutely aware of their areas for improvement and are actively working on them. Moreover, openly discussing your weaknesses can actually build trust. It reflects honesty and suggests that you are someone who values integrity.

Remember, prospective employers are not looking for perfection; they’re seeking candidates who are authentic and reliable. By articulating your weaknesses, you demonstrate that you can be trusted to own your entire narrative, not just the flattering aspects.

Here are some weaknesses examples you could mention:

  • self-criticism
  • reluctance to ask for help
  • presentation skills
  • delegating tasks
  • insecurity
  • procrastination

So, how do you assess your weaknesses for a job interview? Here's a structured approach to help you prepare:

  • Reflect on past feedback. Review past performance appraisals, feedback from colleagues or mentors, and any self-reflective notes you may have. Look for common themes or areas where you've been consistently advised to improve.
  • Identify patterns. Look for patterns in your work habits or behaviors that might hold you back. For example, if you notice that you often procrastinate on big projects, that could indicate a weakness in time management or project planning.
  • Take strengths and weaknesses tests. There are many online tools and tests designed to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses, such as the SWOT analysis or the StrengthsFinder assessment.
  • Practice self-awareness. Pay attention to your daily work and notice when you feel the most challenged or out of your depth. These feelings can often point to areas where you could improve.

Assessing Your Strengths

Understanding your professional strengths instills confidence, which is crucial when selling yourself as the best candidate for the job. A firm grasp of your capabilities allows you to articulate them with conviction, and this self-assurance often translates into a more persuasive presentation of your qualifications.

Moreover, knowing your strengths for a job enables you to align your answers more closely with the job posting. It’s about making it clear to the interviewer that your particular strengths directly correspond to what they’re looking for in a candidate.

Your unique work strengths also help you stand out from the crowd. In a sea of applicants, many will have similar experiences or skill sets. However, combining your employee strengths with your skills and experiences can make your application memorable and distinctive, which is particularly important in a competitive job market.

So, what are the strengths of a person most valued in the workplace? Employers often look for a combination of strengths, tailored to the specific needs of the job and company culture. Some examples of strengths to showcase include:

  • teamwork
  • communication
  • creativity
  • adaptability
  • discipline
  • patience
  • integrity

Assessing your strengths for a job interview is a process that helps you to present your best self to a potential employer. Here's how to go about it:

  • Reflect on your achievements. What is your strength? Most likely, you have many, but narrow it down by listing your accomplishments, both big and small. These successes can be professional milestones, academic accolades, or even personal victories with transferable skills relevant to the workplace.
  • Analyze job descriptions. What are good strengths for a job interview? First, look at the job posting for the role you're applying for and identify the essential skills and competencies required. Match these with your own strengths, focusing on where you align most closely with what the employer is seeking.
  • Take skills assessments. Utilize online tools or professional assessments that can help identify your strengths. Tests like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the CliftonStrengths assessment can provide a structured understanding of your professional attributes.
  • Consider your passions. Often, your strengths are closely tied to what you enjoy doing. Reflect on the tasks and activities that engage and excite you, as your natural inclinations can point to your innate strengths.

Scripting Your Answers to “What are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?”

The key to preparing the best responses to the question "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" is to be reflective and honest, allowing your true self to shine through. The goal is not to memorize but to become comfortable with your narrative, ensuring you can share your professional journey confidently and compellingly during the interview.

Tips to Talk About Your Strengths

  1. Match your strengths with the job requirements. Identify good strengths to have that are most relevant to the job description and focus on those. Ensure your answers highlights why these strengths make you a good fit for the role.
  2. Use concrete examples. Prepare anecdotes that demonstrate your strengths in action. These stories should illustrate how you've utilized these strengths in past experiences to achieve positive outcomes.
  3. Be honest and genuine. Choose strengths that you genuinely possess and can confidently discuss. Authenticity is key to making a good impression.
  4. Include soft and hard skills. Bring a balance of soft skills (like communication or teamwork) and hard skills (like technical proficiency or languages) to your answers.
  5. Quantify your success. Where possible, add numbers to your success stories (e.g., "increased sales by 20%") to provide clear evidence of your impact.

Tips to Talk About Your Weaknesses

  1. Select appropriate weaknesses. Be aware of the boundaries between a real weakness and one that could potentially disqualify you for the job.
  2. Anticipate different phrasings. Be prepared for different variations of the question, such as "What would your previous boss say is an area you could improve on?" or “How do you bounce back from mistakes?”
  3. Present a recovery plan. Always accompany a weakness with a statement about what you're doing to improve it. This should be a specific, actionable plan.
  4. Keep it professional. Only discuss work-related weaknesses; avoid personal weaknesses irrelevant to the job.
  5. End on a positive note. Conclude your answer by reiterating your commitment to professional growth and how your efforts to overcome your weaknesses have led to personal development.

Presenting Strengths and Weaknesses: Examples for a Job Interview

Now that you have a clear idea of how to structure your responses, you're likely asking, “ What is a good answer for "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" An effective response should showcase your strengths as they relate to the job while honestly addressing your weaknesses and the measures you're taking to address them. We've compiled a strengths and weaknesses list with example answers to help you formulate your response.

5 Sample Answers to “What Are Your Strengths?”

The answers to these strengths examples demonstrate confidence and your ability to utilize these strengths to succeed in the specific role. Remember to back up each strength with measurable results whenever possible.

1. Adaptability

Sample Answer: "Adaptability has always been one of my core strengths. In my previous role, when we faced a sudden shift to remote work, I was quick to reorganize my home office, adapt to new communication tools, and help my team to stay productive during the transition, which actually led to an increase in team output of 15% over the initial months."

2. Communication Skills

Sample Answer: "Effective communication is a strength I pride myself on. Whether explaining complex technical issues to clients or collaborating with cross-functional teams, I've consistently received positive feedback on my ability to convey information clearly and listen to others' needs. For instance, when I led a workshop in my previous role, it resulted in our team reducing misunderstandings and increasing project delivery speed."

3. Teamwork

Sample Answer: "I've always believed that a cohesive team is greater than the sum of its parts. During a major project at my last job, I coordinated with different departments to streamline our workflow. My effort to understand and integrate everyone's expertise was pivotal in completing the project 20% ahead of schedule and under budget."

4. Problem-Solving

Sample Answer: "I excel in problem-solving because I enjoy tackling challenges head-on. For instance, when a critical deadline was at risk due to a supplier issue, I analyzed alternative solutions. I identified a local vendor that met our needs, thereby keeping the project on track without compromising on quality.

5. Emotional Intelligence

Sample Answer: "My high emotional intelligence allows me to lead with empathy and understanding. In my previous role as a supervisor, this strength helped me to successfully mediate conflicts and foster a supportive team environment that improved overall morale and reduced staff turnover by 30%."

5 Sample Answers to “What Are Your Weaknesses?”

These sample answers illustrate a thoughtful process of self-improvement. This shows that you not only understand your areas of weakness but are taking concrete actions to address them, turning potential negatives into positives.

1. Impatience

Sample Answer: "I tend to be impatient when I see inefficient processes. To channel this constructively, I've become the go-to person for streamlining tasks. For example, at my last job, my drive to improve project delivery times led me to implement a new scheduling system that reduced time-to-completion by 25%."

2. Issues with Delegating Tasks

Sample Answer: "I've sometimes struggled to delegate tasks because of my attention to detail and high standards. However, I've realized the value of teamwork and trust in my colleagues. I've been working on this by assigning tasks more frequently and have a thorough briefing process, which recently led to my team completing a complex project well before the deadline."

3. Fear of Public Speaking

Sample Answer: "Public speaking has always been a challenge for me. Recognizing this, I've taken steps to improve, such as joining a local Toastmasters club. This effort paid off when I was asked to present at a company-wide seminar and received positive feedback on my clarity and confidence."

4. Overcommitment

Sample Answer: "I've had a tendency to say 'yes' too often and overcommit because I like to help wherever I can. I've learned the importance of setting realistic expectations. I am now using project management tools to better manage my commitments, which has enhanced my productivity and work quality."

5. Self-Criticism

Sample Answer: "I tend to be my own harshest critic, setting high standards for myself, which can lead to unnecessary self-doubt. I've been addressing this by actively seeking feedback, which has affirmed my accomplishments and helped me maintain perspective. For instance, after completing a project that I thought I could've done better, feedback revealed it exceeded our team's goals, which taught me to celebrate wins rather than fixate on imperfections."

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