What's your go to answer to this classic job interview question?

[MaryBoBary]

What’s your biggest weakness?

I haven’t had a job interview for 6 years. I haven’t worked for 3 years (since having my son) and I now have an interview for my dream job next week. I am so nervous and trying to prepare but need some help answering this potential question. My biggest weaknesses are that I worry about things I can’t change (actually have anxiety and am on medication but clearly won’t be disclosing that!), have no self confidence and am very self critical, but how do I express these in a way that don’t make me look like a nightmare employee? Or is there a better answer I should use, even if it’s not strictly true?

How do you answer this question and still look like a desirable candidate? What other questions should I prepare for? Any and all advice really appreciated!

I would pick a weakness they can already see from your cv so you're not giving away anything new they didn't already know, and you can use it as an opportunity to address any concerns they might already have E.g. you've got a gap since your previous job, which will presumably be obvious, so I'd go for saying you've had some time away and your experience isn't current, so you've worked on this by keeping in touch with old contacts, reading industry literature, going on courses or whatever.

I once said reverse parking and they laughed, got offered the job.

Design your answer so your weakness is ultimately a positive characteristic- ie "I care a lot about doing a job well and sometimes this means I have moments where I doubt my abilities but I try to channel it in a positive way and remember how I have overcome challenges in the past by working hard and thinking on my feet"*

Don't give a weakness that is a sly brag. e.g. "My weakness is that I work too hard/care too much etc" It shows lack of self awareness and a lack of ability to be honest about aspects of yourself you need to work on.

I would rather hear, I struggle talking in front of large groups, I'm not good at X, Y, Z in Excel.

I swear, if I hear another, I'm just too hard working...

I'd be honest - I get bored once the excitement of a new project is over. I'm not a completer finisher at all. But I recognise that about myself and it means that I'm very good at working to short timescales, I'll get things done quickly.

Something that you can easily change or learn that's no big deal, do not say anything personality related.
You said a PPs post above was a "great answer" whereas I wouldn't hire someone who had said that. Personality is very subjective.

Go for something like "I only used an old pc with basic word in my last job.. aware I will need to brush up IT skills! But I'm a fast learner and good with tech in my personal life"
Or
"In my last job I noticed a flaw in the way I prioritised my time, but I've been working on it and feel that has improved, hope to keep working on efficiency"

Or exactly what you posted before... "I used to work in marketing and I know that I understand the industry really well, however, I am not familiar with this exact role, so I know it'll take me some time to understand the ins and outs.. but I'm confident my skills and some of my knowledge is transferrable"

You literally couldn't knock this answer. They already know this before they even asked you to interview. Says more positive things about you than negative.

@origamiunicorn

Agree, I interview too and whilst I hate this question sometimes it pops out of a manager's mouth before I can stop it and the perfectionist/work too hard answer just comes over as a 'this is what everyone says' and, yes, shows no self awareness. We all have things we need to improve.

Thank you @spanishwife, that’s made me feel confident that I can give a good and honest answer.

A good way to answer this question is to talk about your weaknesses as a flip side of your strengths.

So for example, if one of your strengths is driving projects forward and meeting deadlines, you may find it frustrating when external forces prevent you from achieving your goals. You can then go on to talk about how you manage this, so showing the interviewer that you're self- aware, whilst also getting the opportunity to tell them about what you are good at.

The best answer is one that shows something you need to work in and then how you are currently addressing it. For example 'I find I get nervous if I have to speak in front of very large groups but since joining toastmasters I've found I've really developed my confidence in this area'

I think it's a shit question and all a good answer usually tells the interviewer is that you've thought about it and you/your friends have come up with something that sounds like it would please an interviewer.
I'd say something like "I was worried about how I may be perceived in light of my time away from the workplace, however, I have done [things you've done/read about/kept up with] to make sure I can fit straight back into the workplace." That way you're covering something which they might have been wondering about and telling them why it isn't a problem anyway.

What’s your biggest weakness?

‘I don’t tolerate fools asking me stupid questions’

🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s a STUPID question.

Good luck with getting the job.

Honesty"

"I don't think honesty is a weakness."

"I don't give a fuck what you think."

Or alternatively, I say ‘one weakness? My husband keeps a spreadsheet‘‚

I don't remember ever being asked that in interview.
A) I don't know, too many to choose from!

B) I think my classic answer (as an employee) could be to say that I didn't ask for help when I needed it, was too quick to feel embarrassed and struggled thru with potentially bad guesses. It's a work in progress path to not doing that. What makes me uncomfortable in more recent yrs, is when I get discouraged or frustrated; happens rarely but it is the thing that can make me most unhappy, leads to flapping.

This question

I hate this question. Ive taken to asking back is anyone really that self aware or honest? Or doing something specific like spelling but its ok as I know to get my work proof read.

It's not a stupid question. I've interviewed hundreds of people and it gave me a good idea of how self-reflective they were. It's not so crucial for junior roles but for more senior roles I'd expect them to understand their development needs. I was surprised how often people didn't expect the question and literally couldn't think of an answer.

Those people who are suggesting you craft your answer so that your weakness is a strength are falling into the very trap the question is deliberately designed to set.

My favourite (and very honest) answer to this was from a fairly recent graduate applying for a role with us...

"I hate getting up in the morning and I'm quite often late for work in my holiday job. I do try hard to get up but it depends on whether I've been out. In my previous job I was able to make up time at the end of the day and I'm really happy to do that. Will it be the same here?"

I'm not a perfectionist, I'm a "get it done now" person which means I'm very intolerant of Last Minute Lucy.

Just be honest. Really.

If you're honest, HR/management know where to put you, and how you're going to work. And if your honest answer means you don't fit their requirements, then so be it.

Your getting the job is not the be all and end all. It's how you get along in your role, and with others.

IT is a small part of my job. I tend to say that it doesn't come naturally to me, and I need to make cheat sheets.

I've a very ' people' based job- luckily I've always been interviewed by people just like me.

Ideally your weakness should be something smallish and something you've managed. Don't get too deep....

I read a really interesting and strident reply to this awful question on a FB teaching site. It stuck in my mind so I've searched it out.... I really admired the strength in this reply and you could moderate the tone slightly 😁

Having said that, don't pick a big issue as your weakness, it has to be something you can work on and that you've considered already. So something like, "my Excel skills are a bit rusty so I would look at refreshing my skills before I start".

Hope they make sense .. the just of it is... she doesn't use the word weakness, areas of development are identified through self evaluation addressed through professional development . It's a bit teacher specific but the viewpoint is good and positive ,actually.