You’re in a job interview and the interviewer asks, "What is your biggest weakness?" How do you answer without sabotaging your chances of landing the job? This is a common and tricky question that can make or break your impression. Here are some tips on how to handle it in the context of advertising.
Don’t lie or avoid the question, as that will make you look untrustworthy or unprepared. But don’t reveal a fatal flaw or a weakness that is directly related to the job requirements, as that will make you look incompetent or unfit. Instead, choose a weakness that is genuine but not essential for the role, and that you can demonstrate how you are working on improving it. For example, you could say that you sometimes struggle with time management, but you have learned to prioritize tasks, set deadlines, and use tools like calendars and apps to keep track of your progress.
When asked about my biggest weakness, I say it's perfectionism. For instance, on a project at my last job, I spent extra hours polishing a presentation that was already well-received. This showed me my high standards could eat into efficiency. Since then, I've been working on setting more realistic goals and asking for feedback earlier in the process. This approach has helped me balance quality with productivity, turning my weakness into a strength by improving team collaboration and meeting deadlines more effectively.
It has to be honest. When you're interviewing someone and they say something that's from an interview they've watched on YouTube, you know it. It's essentially an opportunity to show your self-awareness. You recognise that you're not perfect, and as of today you'd say in front of someone that's assessing you, that you know X is a weakness that you're aware of, and that you're actively addressing by doing [1-2 things]. I always thought that acknowledging you'll always be working on something is never a bad idea in an interview setting. In theory, you'll always have a thing or an area that is "weak" compared to your strengths.
Be ready for this question. It is inevitable. It’s one people hate to answer but love to ask. Flip the script, turn this answer into a strength. The key is to identify something that is not a natural strength, but something you have worked hard to improve. Explain the circumstances. Explain that this wasn’t something that came naturally, but you understood it was important. You worked really hard and got good at it. Today, you do not consider it a natural strength, but it is no longer a weakness. You can also have prepared answers for the things you’re currently working on improving (copy writing, graphic design, etc). Make sure the current examples don’t undermine your ability to perform the job.
Mi proceder es vestir una fortaleza en debilidad. Por ejemplo, el perfeccionismo es una cualidad que suele tener una imagen de fortaleza, sin embargo, ser excesivamente perfeccionista ya no lo es tanto. Y no se está mintiendo. Mi consejo es buscar en nuestro interior fortalezas que en determinado grado se pueden percibir como debilidad. Otro ejemplo: no gestiono eficazmente el tiempo. Si tengo que realizar varias tareas durante el día y creo que no me va a dar tiempo a realizarlas todas me quedo sin comer, pero al final del día me ha sobrado una hora, que es la que tenía para comer. Es mejor tener esta debilidad que la contraria, que es considerar que puedo realizar todas las tareas, me confío, y luego me quedan algunas por hacer.
The STAR method is a framework for answering behavioral questions that involve describing a situation, task, action, and result. You can use it to structure your answer to the weakness question, by giving a specific example of when your weakness affected your work, what you did to overcome it, and what you learned from it. For example, you could say that in a previous project, you had to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines, and you missed an important email from a client. You apologized to the client, explained the situation, and delivered the work as soon as possible. You also implemented a system to check your emails regularly and flag urgent ones. This way, you show that you are self-aware, proactive, and willing to learn from your mistakes.
The STAR method is a structured manner of responding to a behavioral-based interview question by discussing the specific Situation, Task, Action, and Result of the situation you are describing. Asked about my biggest weakness, I'd say it's taking on too much. For example, once, eager to impress, I juggled multiple projects, believing I could handle it all. However, I soon realized it was affecting the quality of my work and my stress levels. Recognizing this, I started prioritizing tasks, setting realistic deadlines, and, importantly, learning to delegate. This shift not only improved my work's quality but also taught me valuable lessons in time management and the power of teamwork, turning a weakness into an area of growth.
While you don’t want to dodge the question or sound arrogant, you also don’t want to dwell on your weakness or make it the focus of your answer. You want to balance it with your strengths and show how they outweigh your weakness or compensate for it. For example, you could say that although you sometimes have difficulty with time management, you are very creative, adaptable, and collaborative, and you always deliver high-quality work that meets the client’s expectations and goals. This way, you show that you are confident, positive, and focused on the value you can bring to the job.
When hit with the "biggest weakness" question in an interview, it’s like sharing a secret but with a twist. Say something like, "I tend to be a perfectionist, which means I can spend too much time on details. But I’m working on balancing quality with efficiency, learning to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines without compromising on the work's quality." It’s about turning a flaw into a story of self-improvement, showing you’re aware and actively becoming a better version of yourself.
In a job interview, transparently acknowledge a weakness unrelated to the job's core requirements, illustrating your awareness and efforts to improve. For example, if time management is a challenge, explain how you've adopted strategies to enhance efficiency. Emphasize willingness to learn and adapt, highlighting how your strengths can contribute to the role. Ensure your approach demonstrates sincerity and a proactive mindset, avoiding exaggerating skills to prevent future performance issues.
The best way to prepare for the weakness question is to practice your answer beforehand. Think of a few possible weaknesses that fit the criteria mentioned above, and use the STAR method to craft your stories. Practice saying them out loud, or record yourself and listen to how you sound. Pay attention to your tone, pace, and body language. You want to sound sincere, humble, and professional, not defensive, nervous, or rehearsed. Ask for feedback from a friend, mentor, or coach, and refine your answer until you feel comfortable and confident.
The interviewer may ask you some follow-up questions to probe deeper into your weakness or challenge your answer. For example, they may ask you how you measure your improvement, what resources you use, or how your weakness affects your team or your clients. Be prepared to answer these questions with honesty and evidence, and show that you are open to feedback and learning. Don’t get defensive or frustrated, and don’t contradict or change your answer. Stay calm and consistent, and use the opportunity to reinforce your strengths and skills.
In general, anything you say could be followed up on in an interview setting. With that in mind, saying less isn't a bad thing. Often, people tend to ramble or go off on tangents in interviews because of nerves and equally because they think it's better to say more. In reality, that just increases the opportunity for an interviewer to pick on something they've said that they might even have forgotten about.
Don't fall into the cliché of saying that your greatest weakness is "being a perfectionist" or any weaknesses that may have a positive side. The interviewer will understand that you are not being sincere and will undermine your credibility. Self-knowledge is power and knowing your weaknesses and knowing how to deal with them is a great strength. Be honest in addressing what you are not really good at and what you are doing to improve on that point. Honesty is what will get you the job! ;)