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When prepping for an interview, there are standard questions to expect to let the interviewer know if you are the right fit. Questions about your strengths and weaknesses for job interviews are common and help you pitch your skills and show a level of self-awareness about the skills you are improving.
To ace your interview, you should prepare a list of possible responses to the questions, ‘What are your weaknesses?” and “what are your greatest strengths?”. Below are 30 strengths and weaknesses to help you ace your next job interview. Shortlisting possible answers equips you with honest and introspective answers, setting you apart as a professional.
How to answer “What are your strengths?”
When making your shortlist, you should;
- Tailor your answers to the job description: Shortlist 3 strengths relevant to the role. I know you are a bag of talents, but the interviewer does not need to know about your cooking skills, Gordon Ramsay.
- Personify your response: Trailing off with your greatest strengths is good, but giving instances of you being a badass is even better.
- Leave an impression: Actions speak louder than words and are more memorable. The answers you shortlist should be unique and highlight your experience.
- Keep it short and straightforward: You want to be witty and engaging when sharing your example. It is not the time to delve into a monologue. Practice your answers, record yourself and avoid making it a high school musical audition.
- Pick your strengths from personal attributes such as punctuality and the inability to hop on the bandwagon of African time. You could also pick knowledge or experience-based skills such as your ability to speak three languages. You could also include transferable skills such as strong communication or collaboration skills.
- Toot your horn! There is a vast difference between being humble and selling yourself short. Acknowledge the skills and experience that make you an excellent fit for the job. If you don’t sell yourself, who will?
15 strengths to help you prep for your next job interview
- Detail-oriented
- Self-motivation
- Empathy
- Collaboration/Team player
- Communication skills
- Time management
- Flexibility
- Problem-solving/ Resourcefulness
- Leadership skills
- Writing skills
- Patience
- Creative/ Innovative
- Enthusiasm/ Willingness to learn
- Determination
- Dedication
Sample answers to “What is your greatest strength?”
- Self-motivation
I am self-motivated with an ability to do what is necessary without being prompted. My determination to get better has allowed me to thrive and learn from my mistakes early. I am constantly improving my skill set and my work by extension.
2. Empathy
I am an empathetic person, and I try to understand people and their needs. As a client-facing associate, I endeavor to help clients by making them feel heard and presenting them with solutions to problems, which has helped to increase customer satisfaction and engagement.
3. Collaboration/Team player
I relate well with people and prefer to work in a team. My collaborative skills enable me to work with diverse talents, share my passion for the job and achieve set goals. The spirit of camaraderie boosts morale and increases trust.
4. Communication skills
My interpersonal skills have thrived as a result of my strong communication skills. I am an effective communicator and active listener, which helped me manage my team in my current role. I have increased productivity by 30% and exceeded other KPIs.
5. Time management
My time management skill is one of my greatest strengths. I am punctual at work and meetings, and I always strive to meet deadlines for tasks. I prioritize tasks, track deadlines, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
6. Problem-solving/ Resourcefulness
I am adept at managing crises. I am solution-driven under challenging situations and evaluate ways to resolve bottlenecks quickly.
7. Writing Skills
I possess excellent writing skills, and I can convey my intentions to readers and leave no ambiguity when communicating as a content writer. My articles are well-researched and tailored to a specific audience with excellent performance metrics.
How to answer “What are your weaknesses?”
Answering this question demonstrates self-awareness and the ability to take responsibility for your growth.
During an interview,
- You should not mention skills vital to the role or any that will hinder your success in the role.
- You should mention easily improved skills so you do not jeopardize your chances.
- State your intention to learn or improve the skill.
- Be honest.
15 weaknesses to help you prep for your next job interview
- Public speaking
- Perfectionism
- Unhealthy work-life balance
- Inability to delegate tasks
- Procrastination
- Self-criticism
- Limited experience with a skill
- Impatience
- Difficulty working with ambiguity
- Micromanagement
- Difficulty setting boundaries
- Risk-averse
- Poor organizational skill
- Lack confidence
- Competitiveness
Sample answers to “What is your greatest weakness?”
- Unhealthy work-life balance
I started working remotely last year, but it has taken some time to adjust to taking breaks, and I tend to work overtime. I am more intentional about separating my work hours from my time, and I try to schedule time off to rest.
- Inability to delegate tasks
I currently struggle with delegating and asking for help, which has resulted in me taking on more workload than is necessary and the pressure to finish all my tasks. I am learning to trust my coworkers’ capabilities and ask for help.
- Self-criticism
I am my biggest critic and can be very critical of myself and second guess the quality of my work. I am actively trying to celebrate my achievements and acknowledge my growth.
- Limited experience with a skill
I could use more experience interpreting analytics. It is a valuable skill to have, and I am currently researching online courses.
- Impatience
As an action-oriented person, I often get impatient when projects near the deadline, which was not an issue when working independently. But recently, as a team member, I have been learning to promote efficiency and time management.
- Difficulty working with ambiguity
My previous role had specific tasks detailing my responsibility, so I respond well to direction and feedback and struggle with ambiguous tasks. As I progress in my career, I hope to work with less-defined goals to create a structure for myself.
- Difficulty setting boundaries
I am often the person taking on more work due to my inability to say no, which has caused me to experience stress and pressure. I am learning to set boundaries and prevent burnout.
Remember to tailor your answers to the job description and practice answering these questions. Check out more interview questions and unique questions you should ask the interviewer.
