How to Answer: What is your greatest weakness and what are you doing to improve?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Social Work Internship job interview.
3. What is your greatest weakness and what are you doing to improve?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear about your greatest weakness as a social work professional to see that you are self-aware and can identify an area that needs improvement. When you admit you have a deficiency in a particular aspect of your profession and take steps to improve, it shows the interviewer that you are motivated and inspired to grow professionally.
Written by Krista Wenz on March 20th, 2022
Focus Your Answer On
Focus on a weakness related to your profession, but not one that is an essential job duty. For example, suppose you say your weakness is your verbal communication skills. In that case, the interviewer may pass you over for another candidate since that skill is an essential job duty in a social work internship.
Written by Krista Wenz on March 20th, 2022
What to Avoid
Avoid describing a weakness that is a crucial responsibility needed in a social work internship or one that is not work-related. The interviewer wants to hear what weakness in your profession you have identified and how you plan to improve.
Written by Krista Wenz on March 20th, 2022
Answer Example
"My greatest weakness is my lack of experience interviewing clients. That is one of the reasons I applied for this internship. I am excited to develop and strengthen my interview skills while under the supervision and guidance of your incredible team. I am a quick learner and know I will feel more comfortable after I have conducted a few interviews."
Written by Krista Wenz on March 20th, 2022