How to Answer: What is your greatest weakness?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a HSBC Bank job interview.
24. What is your greatest weakness?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How a candidate answers questions about their weakness could reveal their strengths as a candidate. Remember, HSBC says that they "set high standards and are each accountable for our actions." Being able to take ownership of your growth opportunities, and being willing to admit to them with details as to how you are taking charge of your professional development, is a strength. Whenever you can suggest a weakness is something like being a perfectionist, or get hung up on pet peeves that benefit the company, that reveals integrity and taking a strength of yours too far where it turns into a weakness. But the key here is to convey that you are well along your way down the road to self improvement.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 8th, 2023
What You Need to Know
The Modern Hire's assistive AI technology may evaluate a candidate for their consistency, not just concerning how consistent their answers are from question to question, or in relation to what they've detailed on their resume and. cover letter. They may also flag a candidate for how consistent their non-verbal cues are compared to what they're communicating verbally. When words and statements are incongruent with tone, facial expressions, or mannerisms, it is commonly considered an indication of limited emotional intelligence or burnout syndrome. It may also suggest a lack of self-awareness of one's nonverbal cues as being inconsistent with their narrative.
Written by Kevin Downey on April 8th, 2023
Experienced Example
"I really love working side by side with others. I am perfectly capable, and effective at delegating, and communicating in more efficient ways. But since I so enjoy working with people, I am often too tempted to do so, which has in the past compromised my efficiency. That is to say, I have a strong work ethic, and consistently deliver at speed and ahead of schedule. But I often can do better, and am working on this."
Written by Kevin Downey on April 8th, 2023