How to Answer: What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Civil Engineer Intern job interview.
16. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
When interviewers ask you to identify your greatest weaknesses, they are looking for the following things: honesty--they want to know if you're honest enough to give a real weakness; self-awareness--the ability to analyze yourself and recognize the areas you need to work on; and your willingness to improve. Even though the question is about weaknesses, your answer should always be framed around the positive aspects of your skills and abilities as an employee.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on April 15th, 2022
How to Answer
Framing your weaknesses positively can be challenging, but when you combine self-awareness with an action plan, you can quickly stand apart from other job applicants. The key to preparing for this question is to identify weaknesses that still communicate your strengths. This will show the interviewer you're introspective enough to know your areas of opportunity. Discuss the steps you're taking to improve yourself.
Written by Sue Oberliesen on April 15th, 2022
Answer Example
"My greatest weakness is time management. I have always been very detail-oriented, so it sometimes takes me longer to finish a project than I initially think it will. This is why I started using time-tracking software in my last job. It made me more conscious of the time a task takes me and helped me to never miss a deadline again."
Written by Sue Oberliesen on April 15th, 2022