Interview Questions: What are my weaknesses?!

The dreaded weakness question! You don’t want to come off arrogant, but you don’t want to come off as a total slug either. The happy medium is to play it safe in the middle. Obviously, it helps to know your audience and the job description. For example, if you are applying for a cashier position you wouldn’t want to say your math skills are horrible. Alternatively, you could choose a weakness that doesn’t directly relate to your potential position, without seeming too off subject. While an employer isn’t necessarily expecting you to be completely blunt about your worst weaknesses, you should think about what weaknesses you have and how you handle them. Try to give an answer that briefly states the weakness, but then explain how you are working on it constructively or are learning from it. Avoid overused answers such as “I’m a workaholic” or “I’m a perfectionist.” A more specific answer is much more effective, such as “I have had some difficulty in the past delegating when working on teams. I sometimes take on too much when I lead, but I’m becoming more comfortable asking for help and dividing up responsibilities in order to accomplish a goal.” Be ready to give specific examples if needed. Remember, if you’re interviewing for a management position, this probably won’t be a great answer!