What is your greatest weakness, and what are you doing to improve this weakness?
This question is similar to exploring your failures, where the aim is to assess your emotional intelligence, self-awareness, integrity, and level of experience. Being aware of, and admitting to, your shortcomings is a sign of confidence, strength, and experience. Additionally, by sharing those weaknesses which you are currently working on, Goldman Sachs' recruiters will have a better sense of whether you actively take charge of your own development, and how they can help you grow from here. If you go into your interview already knowing how they can help you grow and improve, all the better. The goal of your response is to show the hiring managers that you are self-aware, reflective, and can identify areas for improvement, with a clear vision of where you aim to grow next.
Goldman Sachs wants you to be honest about your weaknesses. At the same time, the company wants to see that you are proactive in improving yourself. As their recruiters suggest, "Being able to articulate your strengths and weaknesses, as well as which experiences and skills, make you a good fit for the job. Consider preparing examples which could set you apart from other applicants. Interviewers like to understand what motivates you, why you are interested in their company and why your experiences make you their ideal candidate."
So, choose a weakness that is not a core skill for the position. For instance, if you are interviewing for an administrator role, your greatest weakness should not be your Excel skills. Perhaps you are watching YouTube tutorials to gain skills in a particular area. Maybe you are reading the latest and greatest books on the skills you wish to improve, or perhaps you are taking an online workshop to bridge a skills gap. When discussing your most significant weaknesses, you must display your interest in professional growth. Be sure to maintain a positive tone, show confidence in your ability to improve, and demonstrate a desire for improvement.
Avoid talking about weaknesses that are a red flag or potentially point to a more significant issue. For instance, if time management is a weakness, the interviewer might wonder if you can meet your deadlines or if you are frequently late to work. For this reason, it's best to choose weaknesses that will not impact your ability to succeed in the role.
It's also essential to give a thoughtful response. Avoid cliche or overused statements like:
- I work too hard
- I am a perfectionist
- I am a workaholic
- My weaknesses are also my strengths
- My greatest weakness is chocolate (insert uncomfortable chuckle)
"One weakness I'm improving is my ability to be concise when I send email updates to the department. Brevity has not always been my strongest point; however, I have been practicing by writing a first draft and then asking myself which words can be deleted. So far, I have noticed a marked improvement; however, I believe that clear communication is a work in progress and can always be improved."
In HireVue's interview builder, they break a candidate's experience level into five categories: novice, developing, intermediate, advanced, and expert. Someone with an intermediate skill level or above in any particular category is someone who holds themself accountable for their setbacks while identifying and admitting to their weaknesses, limitations needed adjustments, and mistakes. Someone more experienced considers areas where there is room for improvement as a growth opportunity rather than a weakness or debilitation. And someone who takes ownership of a growth opportunity isn't afraid to share it, which in itself is a show of strength.
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