10 Strengths and Weaknesses Interviews Questions for a Job with Examples
Have a job interview coming up? Feeling nervous? That’s completely normal. A job interview is stressful, and it can put anyone off. The inclusion of questions about strengths, weaknesses, future ambitions, and other topics makes interviews even more difficult for people. However, it is manageable, and one can do it by staying calm and exhibiting control. Try to show your best self and simultaneously be honest about everything you have worked on. Additionally, knowing what questions to expect can help candidates relax and give a better interview.
The blog here will deal with 10 common interview questions about what your strengths and weaknesses are. No worries. Answers for each of these will also be discussed with simple, real-world examples. So, get ready to feel confident and prepared to nail these crucial questions!
Table Of Content
Understanding the Purpose of ‘Strengths’ Question
10 Common ‘Strengths’ Interview Questions with Examples
Understanding the Purpose of ‘Weaknesses’ Question
10. Common ‘Weaknesses’ Interview Questions with Examples
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
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Understanding the Purpose of ‘Strengths’ Question
Have you ever appeared for a strengths and weaknesses interview? If not, then understand why an interviewer asks about your strengths. They actually want to know what you are good at and if that skill fits the job role they are hiring for. So, picking a strength that aligns with their requirement is important.
Here, you can use the STAR method –
- S – Situation: Start by describing a specific time or situation.
- T – Task: Explain what you had to do.
- A – Action: Talk about what you did using your strength.
- R – Result: Share the positive outcome of your actions.
To be more specific, say, your strength is teamwork; then you might explain it this way: “In my last excursion from college (Situation), I was responsible for organizing the team. I created a shared schedule and made sure everyone stayed on track (Action). We completed the project early and received top marks (Result).”
This method shows your strength in action and proves how it brings real results. Be confident while answering about your strengths. It will help interviewers consider you for the required job role.
10 Common ‘Strengths’ Interview Questions with Examples
Answering the questions directed towards your ‘strength’ is a fantastic opportunity for you in a strengths and weaknesses interview. It allows you to show them what you are best at and how you justify the role they are hiring for.
So, when you are asked about your ‘strengths’ in a strengths and weaknesses interview question, your answers must be appropriate. There should not be any bias. The following list of questions will definitely help you. Each question will be clubbed with an example for you to understand.
1. According to you, what is your greatest ‘strength?’
I always stay positive and calm, even if the situation is critical. This, I feel, is my greatest strength. For example, at my last job, when our team faced a tight deadline and a technical issue, I did not lose my mind. It was a serious issue, as the client warned about canceling the contract. I quickly analyzed the situation, identified a method to overcome the problem, and helped the team fix the issue on time.
2. What are you good at?
I am a very good orator. I can simply explain complex and critical ideas. Everyone finds my explanations easy to understand. Like, for example, there was a dispute between two of my colleagues regarding a document. It was clearly due to miscommunication. I mediated and made them understand the real problem clearly. It was solved.
3. According to your colleagues, what is your greatest strength?
My colleagues generally find me very organized. It is my habit to maintain a spreadsheet where I keep track of tasks, time, and the schedule of the projects. So, whenever my peers need any information or a reminder of the deadline, they approach me. Their opinion is that the process is running smoothly because of me.
4. Give an example of a problem that was solved because of you.
Once, I noticed a regular but essential process in our workflow being run manually. It was taking too much time. Nobody asked me to find a solution. I myself researched and found an easy and faster method to avoid repetitive work. Thereafter, I approached my manager with the problem and its solution, and it was implemented. This saved a lot of time.
5. If there is a challenge at work, how will you handle it?
My patience is my greatest weapon. When there is a challenge, I first think and then try to break the work into smaller parts. Then I focus on finding solutions to each part separately and overcoming the challenge. In case there is any feedback, I take it as a learning experience.
6. What makes you a good team player?
I always have a supportive attitude. I listen to others’ ideas and share my own thoughts constructively. Also, I do not hesitate to offer help whenever needed.
7. Cite an example of a situation when you showed leadership skills.
There was a group project, and there was no coordination. The team members were arguing, as each one had separate ideas. I took hold of the situation, stepped in, and initiated a discussion. It helped the members identify their common goals. Then, with a clear, communicative speech, I guided the team to a decision we could all support. We succeeded in that project.
8. Which skill are you particularly proud of?
I am a fast learner. This is the ability that I take pride in. In my previous role, I had to master Excel VLOOKUP within a week. I became proficient by dedicating extra time and effort to training and practice. Now I am training other team members.
9. What is your motivation?
My clear, short-term goals and focus on work with positive outcomes help me stay motivated. I never find my work boring, as I enjoy learning new things and taking on challenges.
10. What is the area of your excellence?
I am a very detail-oriented person. It is my habit to cross-check and minimize errors. I make sure the work I deliver is qualitative and accurate.
Understanding the Purpose of ‘Weaknesses’ Question
Do not try to act too smart in a strengths and weaknesses interview. Instead, be honest. The ‘weakness’ question is intended to gauge your self-awareness and desire to grow. Avoid giving cliché answers like “I always submit work on time” or “I love to handle loads of work.” This sounds rehearsed and does not really explain anything useful.
Instead, share a real but not critical weakness – something that will not stop you from doing the job. For example, you can say, “I used to feel nervous speaking in front of groups, but I’ve been improving by giving small team updates.”
Always explain what steps you are taking to improve. This shows responsibility and a positive attitude. However, be careful about what you say. Do not talk about weaknesses that can instantly get you rejected, like a lack of time management or succumbing to peer pressure.
Your answer must be strong enough to convince the employer that you understand your strengths and weaknesses. Also, after a strengths and weaknesses interview, the employer must know that you are trying to become better.
10. Common ‘Weaknesses’ Interview Questions with Examples
It is important to be prepared for the question, what are your strengths and weaknesses examples. To be honest, asking about your weakness is not a tricky matter. This way, the interviewers try to gauge your sense of self-awareness. Also, it helps them to find out if you are eager to work on your limitations. So, when they focus on your weakness in a strengths and weaknesses interview, do not get nervous. Instead, make them understand that you want to grow. Frame your answer explaining what you are doing to overcome your weakness.
1. What do you think is your primary weakness?
I am too detail-oriented. It sometimes slows me down. However, I am working on this, trying to learn to scrutinizing with efficiency and meet the deadlines on time.
2. Where do you think you need to improve?
I become nervous while speaking publicly. This is an area that I need to work on. For this, I have joined a local group. There, I practice debating and expressing my thoughts in front of a group of people. It is helping me to gain confidence while speaking publicly.
3. How can you handle a challenge?
Once, I hesitated while distributing tasks to my team members. Later, I realized I needed to trust my team more, so I started clearly explaining expectations and providing support, which improved team efficiency.
4. Where do you think you could develop further?
My data analysis part is not up to the mark. So, I am trying to work on it. Presently, I am doing an online course to hone and understand this skill.
5. How do you treat mistakes?
Once, I could not deliver a document within the specified timeline because I could not manage my time. The project was hampered. I took this mistake as a lesson and started prioritizing tasks according to the deadlines.
6. What at work do you find difficult?
Often, I cannot say no to work even if I do not have the bandwidth. As a result, I get overloaded. However, I am trying to assess my capacity and take work accordingly.
7. If there is any criticism, how do you face it?
For me, criticism is an opportunity to know my loopholes. So, whenever I get feedback, I listen carefully, try to understand my faults, and try to work on those ASAP.
8. What at work frustrates you?
Miscommunication. A lot of misunderstandings happen due to this. Even the clients get infuriated at times. I try to solve such problems by communicating clearly and ensuring everyone understands the matter.
9. Which skill do you not have?
I do not have any experience with project management software. I truly want to learn this. So, I have started exploring different online tutorials.
10. How do you manage stress?
In my initial days, I succumbed to stress. I have learned to manage it by breaking down tasks, taking short breaks, etc.
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Conclusion
Hopefully you have mastered the art of cleverly answering each of the strengths and weaknesses interview questions. To prepare for this aspect of a job interview, you need to be aware of yourself. You must know where you lag and where you excel, and based on that, you craft your answers that leave a lasting impression on the interviewer. Also, remember that every weakness is an opportunity to emphasize your commitment to improve. This way, your negatives will turn into positives, and who knows, you may end up getting the job you always wanted.
Now, being prepared for the interview is not enough; you need to be qualified for the position. While academics can prove that, adding something extra to the CV always helps. In this regard, you can look at the Youth Leadership Program from IIM Indore. Apart from all the content that will prepare you for future roles, it will also give you an IIM alumni status.
Frequently Asked Questions
