How to Answer: What is your greatest weakness?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Manager job interview.
2. What is your greatest weakness?
What You Need to Know
Your interviewer's ideal candidate will possess the emotional intelligence, communication skills, patience, and empathy required to manage staff, along with your other responsibilities. This requires adaptability, accountability, ownership, and a drive for continual self-growth. Part of this is having the confidence to admit to one's growth opportunities or failings as a manager. Share this with your interviewer with transparency, and take the time to prepare for this question before your interview. If the company details methods they can facilitate this growth, align this career goal with this opportunity. This will showcase your motivation and dedication to your career choice as a manager.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 25th, 2023
Stay Away From
Stay away from any weaknesses that are required skills detailed for the position. Volunteering you have little to no experience will work against you. Remember, they are looking for an ideal fit for them, just like you are looking for an ideal fit for you. So be filtered, sincere, and put your best foot forward.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 24th, 2023
Pro Tip
Think of a weakness that can be considered a strength. If you are extremely organized, that can be a good thing. But if you are sometimes too obsessive about how neat and tidy everything has to be, there is room to relax a little, especially if it rubs other members of your team the wrong way. Something like this could work well, especially if you have already shown tremendous growth but feel it is a constant struggle.
Written by Kevin Downey on March 24th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I would say one of my greatest weaknesses as a manager is my ability to delegate effectively. My instinct is to set the pace, work alongside my crew, and lead by example. It is hard for me to delegate, be hands-off, and step back. I learned long ago that trust is earned, and this is the practice I have made to earn the trust of my crew. But I have dramatically improved my communication skills, slowing down and adapting my communication style to that of my crew. My weakness has been being able to slow down and take the time to ensure I communicate effectively with each individual rather than trying to save time by telling everyone all at once. This balance is my struggle. But I am aware of it and am working on it actively."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 25th, 2023
Experienced Example
"I'd say one of my weaknesses is learning how to help the other supervisors on my team with their goals without stepping on their toes. I thrive when coaching, but others have been known to steal credit by detailing how they taught someone else how to do something. This is not so uncommon, but it isn't my motive. I am just very team-oriented. As I see it, the more successful the team is, the more successful I am. But this doesn't mean the credit is mine. The merits of their efforts and accomplishments belong to them. If, after coaching them, they want to give me some credit, the choice is theirs. How to do this, according to every personality, is tricky. Some are more receptive than others to my intentions. I feel like the more I work on enhancing my communications skills, the further I have to go."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 25th, 2023
General Manager Example
"One of my greatest weaknesses as a manager is that I rely too much on my supervisors to build effective relationships with our crew. We have a staff of 30, and I haven't always prioritized the time to touch base with every one of them. As a result, in the past, I've earned the reputation of being aloof. Honestly, I don't see myself that way, and the first time I heard an ugly nickname in that regard, it hurt my feelings. That was my first clue that I had to improve my image. Whether I saw myself differently or not is irrelevant. Perception is reality. I am aware of this, and now I walk and greet every one of my employees at the onset of each day, giving them what I can of my time and working it into my time management. But I still have a way to go before I shake that reputation."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 25th, 2023
Project Manager Example
"I push myself too hard and don't take advantage of my breaks as I should. I often work through my lunch break, never take my ten-minute breaks or micro-breaks, and sometimes take my work home. I try to plan for contingency time and beat my deadlines by at least ten percent of the timeframe I am given. But holding myself to too high of a standard, I have learned, is unkind to myself. I am learning the benefits of recharging and taking those breaks when I can. I am constantly implementing new ways to fill those breaks so they don't derail my productivity as I fear but rather improve my focus. But it is part of my makeup, and I feel I will always struggle with this."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 25th, 2023
Regional Manager Example
"As regional manager, part of my job is to find new potential real estate for our expansion. But real estate is not my strong suit. I have a firm grasp on how to improve our KPIs, generate more foot traffic, and help each one of my managers grow and hit all their targets. But when it comes to those core principles of how much location matters, I have been a bit risk averse in the past, as this falls outside of my comfort zone. I have read quite a few books on the subject and know much more now than I did previously, but confidently putting these principles into practice has been a struggle. I know what the company is looking for and all the parameters, and we've opened two new stores under my watch, but there is much to learn, and I have room for growth as a regional manager in this regard."
Written by Kevin Downey on March 25th, 2023