Q: How should we answer "tell me your biggest weakness"? I have heard we should work in a strength as the answer.
Bad advice. The “it's-a-weakness-but-really-a-strength” response will highlight a true weakness: a lack of self-awareness.
The purpose of this question is generally to learn about your character. Mature, self-aware people know what they do well and where they need support, and they have enough self-confidence to admit it.
In answering this question, you should not belabor the point or be self-deprecating, but you should answer the question honestly. Responses like, "sometimes I need help managing multiple deadlines" or "sometimes my first response is to act without thinking through thoroughly" are perfectly acceptable and will not hurt you.
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By R. Scott Morris
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- R. Scott Morris
- I wrote Polished and created How to Get Hired to help job seekers understand what someone in my position is looking for in a job candidate and to teach them to effectively market and present their skill sets.
Throughout my career, I have reviewed thousands of resumes and cover letters and have performed over five hundred first- and second-round interviews.
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I also encounter these questions frequently but whenever I am asked I try not to be too negative about it. Also, I limit my "weaknesses" to one or two and then follow it up with a positive note.