What are your weaknesses?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
What You Need to Know
Answer Example

Your interviewer is looking for candidates who are focused on challenging themselves to grow and develop their skills, to improve upon themselves, and to better their company. Someone hesitant to admit to their weaknesses is less likely to take responsibility for their mistakes or ownership of their development. Whereas someone who already takes ownership of their self-perceived weaknesses, and is constantly challenging themselves to improve on them, is more likely to be successful and driven in their career, positioning themselves as a desirable candidate. So, your interviewer wants to know whether you take ownership of your weaknesses and view them as growth opportunities.

On their careers site, Northrop Grumman says, "Invent. Design. Build. We don't just develop the answers here, we invent the question. Your career here will give you challenges that will help define your career. Northrop Grumman offers a variety of programs that allow our employees to expand their proficiencies across a breadth of skillsets. The programs enable the employees to grow their careers while continuing to make significant contributions to the company. Never stop exploring, always be challenged. Define possible in your next move at Northrop Grumman. Put your passions into practice."

Additionally, they define their values as "what we do and why we exist, our values reflect who we are and how we behave. These values are the bedrock of our culture. What makes them real is our collective actions, decisions and the commitment of our team. We do the right thing; we earn trust, act with ethics, integrity and transparency, treat everyone with respect, value diversity and foster safe and inclusive environments. We do what we promise; we own the delivery of results, focused on quality outcomes. We commit to shared success; we work together to focus on the mission and take accountability for the sustainable success of our people, customers, shareholders, suppliers and communities. We pioneer; with fierce curiosity, dedication, and innovation, we seek to solve the world's most challenging problems."

"I would say that my biggest weakness is that I can often be shy in asserting myself with the rest of the team. I have a lot of really great input and ideas to offer, and my leaders have made a habit of pointing me out in meetings and putting me on the spot to offer ideas and suggestions. They're always valued and often implemented. But, I just have difficulty asserting them. My leadership has spoken to me about this, and I have made significant improvements. I know that with a new crowd it might take me some time to brave being bold, but it is something I, like I said, am actively working on and striving to improve."

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How to Answer: What are your weaknesses?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Northrop Grumman job interview.

28. What are your weaknesses?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Your interviewer is looking for candidates who are focused on challenging themselves to grow and develop their skills, to improve upon themselves, and to better their company. Someone hesitant to admit to their weaknesses is less likely to take responsibility for their mistakes or ownership of their development. Whereas someone who already takes ownership of their self-perceived weaknesses, and is constantly challenging themselves to improve on them, is more likely to be successful and driven in their career, positioning themselves as a desirable candidate. So, your interviewer wants to know whether you take ownership of your weaknesses and view them as growth opportunities.

Written by Samantha Brown on January 8th, 2024

What You Need to Know

On their careers site, Northrop Grumman says, "Invent. Design. Build. We don't just develop the answers here, we invent the question. Your career here will give you challenges that will help define your career. Northrop Grumman offers a variety of programs that allow our employees to expand their proficiencies across a breadth of skillsets. The programs enable the employees to grow their careers while continuing to make significant contributions to the company. Never stop exploring, always be challenged. Define possible in your next move at Northrop Grumman. Put your passions into practice."

Additionally, they define their values as "what we do and why we exist, our values reflect who we are and how we behave. These values are the bedrock of our culture. What makes them real is our collective actions, decisions and the commitment of our team. We do the right thing; we earn trust, act with ethics, integrity and transparency, treat everyone with respect, value diversity and foster safe and inclusive environments. We do what we promise; we own the delivery of results, focused on quality outcomes. We commit to shared success; we work together to focus on the mission and take accountability for the sustainable success of our people, customers, shareholders, suppliers and communities. We pioneer; with fierce curiosity, dedication, and innovation, we seek to solve the world's most challenging problems."

Written by Samantha Brown on January 8th, 2024

Answer Example

"I would say that my biggest weakness is that I can often be shy in asserting myself with the rest of the team. I have a lot of really great input and ideas to offer, and my leaders have made a habit of pointing me out in meetings and putting me on the spot to offer ideas and suggestions. They're always valued and often implemented. But, I just have difficulty asserting them. My leadership has spoken to me about this, and I have made significant improvements. I know that with a new crowd it might take me some time to brave being bold, but it is something I, like I said, am actively working on and striving to improve."

Written by Samantha Brown on January 8th, 2024

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