How to Answer: What is your greatest weakness?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Royal Bank of Canada job interview.
9. What is your greatest weakness?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is directed at determining how self-aware you are, and whether you are taking charge of your own development. Someone who is emotionally developed and career-driven will have no issue admitting to their weaknesses (or growth opportunities). Doing so conveys taking ownership and responsibility, and could position you as a top performer. In HireVue's interview builder, novices are classified as individuals who fail to seek information to understand the rationale behind change. An individual with intermediate skill or higher in any category takes responsibility for setbacks and acknowledges weaknesses, limitations, and mistakes. A person with more experience sees potential for growth in areas that need improvement, rather than viewing them as weaknesses or limitations. Sharing a growth opportunity is a display of strength for those who take ownership of it.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 31st, 2024
What You Need to Know
HireVue explains and recommends the following: "Video-based assessments evaluate both what you know about performing the job ('hard skills' or competencies) and what recruiters call 'soft' competencies, like communication skills, conscientiousness, problem-solving skills, team orientation, and initiative. The competencies in your video assessment are based on research by organizational psychologists about the skills and characteristics that are most important for success in that particular job role. The best thing you can do is to carefully study the job description and be sure that you have examples and real experience behind you to 'show what you know' about doing that job well."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 31st, 2024
How to Prep
"Always the dreaded question in any interview! RBC recommends that their candidates, "put a positive spin on your 'biggest weakness.' You don't want to point out your flaws at this stage, so try to answer it in a positive way. For example, 'I sometimes struggle with my public speaking skills, so I am taking public speaking courses to improve.'"
Written by Kevin Downey on March 31st, 2024
Answer Example
"I would say that my greatest weakness is that sometimes I get a bit lost in the details, and lose track of time. I always aim to turn in the highest standard of work as possible, but when I narrow my focus too much, I cut it too close to meeting my deadlines. But, this came up in my last performance review, and I recognized the truth in it, and have been aggressively working on improving this. I have frequently asked for feedback as well on my perceived progress on this point from my supervisors and peers, and the consensus is that I have shown great strides in improving upon this."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 31st, 2024