How to Answer: What is your greatest weakness, and what are you doing to improve?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Merck job interview.
8. What is your greatest weakness, and what are you doing to improve?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear about your greatest weakness as an employee or student to see that you are self-aware and can identify an area that needs improvement. When you admit you have a deficiency in a particular aspect of your profession and take steps to improve, it shows the interviewer that you are motivated and inspired to grow professionally.
Written by Krista Wenz on May 12th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on a weakness related to your profession, but not one that is an essential job duty. For example, suppose you say your weakness is your listening skills. In that case, the interviewer may pass you over for another candidate since that skill is an essential part of being an excellent Merck Intern.
Written by Krista Wenz on May 12th, 2022
Answer Example
"My greatest weakness as a student has been remembering people's names when I first meet them. I understand it is a weakness in this profession because I need to remember my mentor and coworkers' names. I recently bought a book called 'How to Remember Names and Faces' by Luis Echeverria. He is a Memory Master Champion and guarantees success by reading his book and practicing his memory training exercises. I have been reading the book for a week and already found I remember people's names and faces better. I am confident this weakness will become a strength when I am finished with the book and the exercises."
Written by Krista Wenz on May 12th, 2022