During job interviews, there are certain types of questions that employers tend to ask, regardless of the position and company. One of the most common interview questions is, “What is your greatest weakness?,” often preceded or followed by, “What is your greatest strength?” These questions can be phrased in lots of different ways, but employers ask them for the same reasons.
With these questions, the hiring manager is trying to determine what qualities you have that will help you succeed in the job if you are hired, as well as what could be problematic.
Below are interview questions and sample answers related to your strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and accomplishments. Also see below for tips on answering these kinds of questions.
How to Answer Interview Questions About Strengths and Weaknesses
When answering questions about your strengths and weaknesses, always keep the job description in mind. When addressing questions about your strengths, focus on strengths you have that are required for the job. For example, if a job requires a lot of work on team projects, you might say that you are a clear communicator who can work with diverse groups of people.
When answering questions about your weaknesses, avoid weaknesses that would make you unfit for the job. For example, if the job requires a lot of technical skill, do not say that your weakness is technology. Also, no matter what weakness you select, try to put a positive spin on your answer.