How would your weaknesses interfere with your ability to do this job?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Answer Example

There are many candidates who might divulge too much information about themselves when prompted by questions such as these. People are generally forthcoming about telling you who they are right off the bat. Sometimes lightly admitting that you have anger management issues, but framing this in a way that presents the person you're telling this to would be the exception to this rule, will only serve by offering them the exact red flag they're looking for.

Frame your greatest weakness as an asset in its own right. Being a perfectionist can be a weakness. Similarly, this quality can be seen as a benefit. Think about self-assessments you may have done prior to previous performance reviews and see if any of those growth opportunities can be applied.

"My sensitivity is as much a strength as it is a weakness. I wouldn't say this weakness, per se would negatively affect my ability to perform my job. Only in the extremest days, I'd that the hardest of days on the job might be difficult to shake, and that might result in a sleepless night or two, but that can happen to anyone in this profession. And if it didn't, well, that's another issue worth examining."

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How to Answer: How would your weaknesses interfere with your ability to do this job?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Department of Social Services job interview.

3. How would your weaknesses interfere with your ability to do this job?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

There are many candidates who might divulge too much information about themselves when prompted by questions such as these. People are generally forthcoming about telling you who they are right off the bat. Sometimes lightly admitting that you have anger management issues, but framing this in a way that presents the person you're telling this to would be the exception to this rule, will only serve by offering them the exact red flag they're looking for.

Written by Kevin Downey on April 21st, 2022

How to Answer

Frame your greatest weakness as an asset in its own right. Being a perfectionist can be a weakness. Similarly, this quality can be seen as a benefit. Think about self-assessments you may have done prior to previous performance reviews and see if any of those growth opportunities can be applied.

Written by Kevin Downey on April 21st, 2022

Answer Example

"My sensitivity is as much a strength as it is a weakness. I wouldn't say this weakness, per se would negatively affect my ability to perform my job. Only in the extremest days, I'd that the hardest of days on the job might be difficult to shake, and that might result in a sleepless night or two, but that can happen to anyone in this profession. And if it didn't, well, that's another issue worth examining."

Written by Kevin Downey on April 21st, 2022

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