How to Answer: What do you perceive as your greatest weakness?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Siemens job interview.
9. What do you perceive as your greatest weakness?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Be sure to keep your answers consistent. How you answer this question will give the interviewer insight into your self-awareness and how you identify your weaknesses and growth opportunities.
Written by Kevin Downey on February 4th, 2022
How to Answer
Frame your greatest weakness as an asset in its own right. Being a perfectionist can be a weakness. Sometimes, it can be difficult to let go and decide when good enough is good enough. At the same time, this quality can be seen as a benefit to a company.
Written by Kevin Downey on February 4th, 2022
What NOT to Say
Don't say, "I would say my weakness is my attendance. I am habitually late. I've tried everything, but even when I set five alarms and have coffee right next to my bed, I somehow miss the bus to get to work. It's not even my fault most of the time. Can't be helped!"
Written by Kevin Downey on February 4th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I can be hard on myself. This often comes up in my reviews. Even the toughest bosses I've had said they don't push me too hard because they know I'm pushing myself harder than they ever would. In the past, this caused me to trip myself up, but I've gotten better."
Written by Kevin Downey on February 4th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I tend to over-analyze data. I have excellent attention to detail. Anytime I noticed anything that caused me to question what I was looking at, I'd bring it to the attention of my superiors. My old boss said I was over-communicative. I've gotten better at being more discerning with what I bring to my superiors' attention these days, instead of distracting them with every discrepancy I found."
Written by Kevin Downey on February 4th, 2022