One word for strength and weakness

What is your greatest strength? What are your weaknesses?

Tell me three strengths and three weaknesses of yours…

The question about professional strengths and weaknesses is a job interview classic. But do you worry you might be lost for words?

You may be asking yourself:

How can I come up with some really convincing strengths and weaknesses?

Well, here’s your answer: a ready-made list of 50 strengths and weaknesses (with concrete, practical examples).

Take a look right now at these examples of strengths and weaknesses and pick out the ones that work best for you!

So, 50 strengths and weaknesses await you (25 strong points and 25 weak points). That all?

Actually, no:

There are plenty of lists of strengths and weaknesses out there. But as they really are just that — lists — they’re not really all that practical.

That’s why we have decided to give you something more:

Every strength and weakness comes with a brief explanation clarifying the meaning of the term.

But that’s just the beginning.

What’s more, we’ve come up with a practical example you can use in your answer, which you can find under each strength or weakness.

This means you can use our list straight away. And when you’re asked about your strengths and weaknesses (it’s still one of the 100 most common job interview questions), you’ll know exactly what to answer.

Want to know the best part?

Because we’re nice like that, we’ve even added a bonus section at the end…

So don’t waste any more time — get looking for your greatest strengths right away!

25 Strengths Ready for Use at Your Next Job Interview [with Concrete Examples]

We have chosen 25 personal strengths that will help you ace your next job interview.

For each one, there is a brief explanation to help you match the strengths with your own personal and professional qualities, plus a concrete example.

Sounds good?

And if you want to be sure you use your strengths in the best possible way, read our article on how to answer the strengths job interview question.

#1 — Passionate

When enthusiasm casts its spell on you, you feel supercharged and capable of doing anything. You throw every ounce of yourself into what you do.

Answer example:

My favourite quote is “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. I try to apply this rule on a daily basis as it’s a real source of motivation for me. Take the time when…

#2 – Enterprising

You’re always full of ideas and know how to turn them into reality. Your actions show spirit of initiative.

Answer example:

My main strength is my ability to get moving and kick-start others into action. Any project, no matter how well-designed, is useless if isn’t followed through. That’s why I’ve always got a whole load of projects on the go. Take the time…

#3 – Reliable

The people around you know they can always count on you. You finish the work you are assigned and never let people down.

Answer example:

I’m the person that gets assigned the most awkward jobs, because my colleagues and supervisors know they can trust me. I think everybody started to appreciate this key quality of mine when… 

#4 – Creative

The beaten track holds no interest for you. Instead, your mind forges new paths into unchartered territory.

[A word of warning: “creative” continues to be one of the most commonly used words in professional profiles. So use it only if it really is one of your main qualities.]

Answer example:

My greatest strength? Being able to think in a different way to everyone else. I’m not lacking in common sense, but I definitely feel more at home when I’m trying to do something radically different. This has proved useful at work on a number of occasions…

#5 – Consistency

Sprints might not be your thing, but over long distances nobody can live with you. Once you hit your groove, nothing affects your performance levels.

Answer example:

Consistency is one of my strengths: I always complete the projects assigned to me not because I’m the one who gets through the most work in a day, but simply because there’s never a day when I do less than the day before…

#6 – Patience

Undeterred by failure and unaffected by others losing their cool, yours is truly the patience of a saint.

Answer example:

As a very calm, thoughtful person, I’m well acquainted with the virtues of patience. So when we got a group of really angry customers, I volunteered to take care of them and managed to get the best out of what was a very difficult situation.

#7 – Versatile

You’re able to deal with a range of different situations and still come out on top. You approach new challenges safe in the knowledge that you will be able to perform at your best, whatever the circumstances.

Answer example:

Without a doubt, one of my main qualities is my versatility: I’ve taken on a number of fairly varied roles and have always managed to successfully adapt to the specific circumstances. There was one time in particular…

#8 – Ambitious

You’re driven by success. It’s what you desire and you will do whatever it takes to achieve it.

Answer example:

Ambition is a part of me, in fact I see it as one of my key strengths. I align my personal goals with the needs of the company; my natural ambition drives me to always achieve the set objectives. A concrete example of how this has benefited me was when…

#9 – Determined

Once you’ve identified a goal, you reach it no matter what the cost. There’s nothing that can stop you from finishing what you start: you possess granite-like willpower.

Answer example:

My greatest quality is that I never let difficulties get in my way. I carried on undeterred even when…

#10 – Self-starter

You don’t need somebody constantly telling you what to do. You know what you have to do and are able to complete your work on your own initiative.

Answer example:

I would say my main strength is my ability to self-start. Experience has shown me that the ability to manage your own time and objectives as you work towards a final goal is a huge advantage, not just personally but for the whole team. For example…

#11 – Calm and Composed

No matter what is happening around you, you never lose your calm. Even in the middle of a major crisis you keep your composure, because you know that acting hastily is never advisable.

Answer example:

The ability to remain calm is one of my key professional strengths. People admire me for being able to deal with difficult situations that other colleagues with a more fiery temperament are unable to handle. Take, for example, all the customers I have successfully managed…

#12 – Charisma

You were born to lead. When you speak, others listen. You inspire others through your words and your actions.

Answer example:

I’m naturally good at getting the best out of people. As a result, people are happy for me to lead them. An obvious example of this was during the last company event, when…

#13 Strength and Weakness – Competitive

If you don’t have a goal to reach, or somebody to compare yourself with as you work towards it, you feel like something important is missing. Competition brings out the best in you.

Answer example:

Once I had a project in which I was the only participant. My performance was barely half what it normally is when I have others to compare myself with. That was when I realized that my true strength is my competitive nature…

#14 – Rational

You are objective and don’t let emotions affect your decisions. People can always count on you and your ability to be impartial.

Answer example:

My strength is my ability to be rational: when everybody else is letting their emotions get the better of them, I stay focused. For example, there was the time when everyone wanted….

#15 – Efficiency

You work quickly and your results are always excellent. Once you get started, you function like clockwork.

Answer example:

I work out how to achieve success in a specific situation by applying a series of tried-and-tested processes. So I would say one of my key strengths is my efficiency. I’ve got plenty of examples to back this up, for instance…

#16 – Curiosity

When you were little you never stopped asking questions. And now you’re grown up, you haven’t changed a bit. You’re never content with what you already know and always want to find out something more.

Answer example:

My stand-out quality and the strength that has helped me most at work is my curiosity. For me, being curious means never being satisfied with what you know — always wanting to take it that bit further. And the more you know, the more options you have when it comes to taking a decision. This proved particularly useful when…

#17 – Courteous and Well-mannered

There is no situation, no matter how formal or important, that can put you off your game. You never embarrass yourself or the company you are representing.

Answer example:

There is no form of human interaction that can function without courtesy and good manners — it really is the foundation of every relationship. And what is a sale after all if not a relationship between customer and company? To be a successful salesperson, you need to be courteous and respectful, which is why I have worked on this and turned it into a key strength. For example…

#18 Strength and Weakness – Perfectionist

There’s not a single detail of your work which isn’t exactly the way you planned it. You aren’t satisfied with anything less than 100% perfection.

Answer example:

I demand the best from the people around me and above all from myself. Being a perfectionist has never been a problem, though. In fact, it’s one of my key strengths. Take, for example, the time…

#19 – Good Listener

There’s a huge difference between hearing and listening and nobody knows this better than you; you seem to effortlessly understand people’s needs.

Answer example:

There’s no dialogue if nobody listens. That’s obvious enough at a personal level, but I’ve also realized just how important the ability to listen is at work. Which is why I see my skills as a listener as bringing great added value. It certainly helped when…

#20 – Organized

You are able to organize your work so that nothing escapes your attention and always assign tasks their appropriate level of priority.

Answer example:

I believe that organization is critical for any successful project, which is why I have worked hard to make the ability to organize one of my greatest strengths. My professional career contains numerous examples of the benefits of this quality…

#21 Strength and Weakness – Critical

You are always probing beneath the surface of things, looking for hidden motives to subject to critical scrutiny. You know that reality is never as simple as it seems and love trying to figure out what’s really going on.

Answer example:

I’m unable to accept things at face value. Facile explanations don’t satisfy me. Saying something is a certain way “because it is” just doesn’t cut it for me. Everybody sees this as one of my strengths — this critical nature which makes me continually call things into question, including myself. It brings huge benefits though…

#22 – Problem Solver

You analyze the lie of the land and find the most suitable solution for every situation. Where others see problems, you see solutions.

Answer example:

I have an original way of looking at and solving problems. It’s definitely one of my main strengths. For example there was the time when nobody could work out…

#23 – Collaborative

You know that the team performance is much more important than that of any one individual. You’re willing to work with others, socializing and sharing and creating a climate conducive to team-work.

Answer example:

I would definitely choose the ability to build a rapport and work as part of a team as one of my strengths. I could reel off a whole host of examples from my professional career to back this up. For example…

#24 – Altruist

You put the interests of others before your own and are happy to do something useful for somebody else. You’re willing to lend a hand to anybody who asks you, without hesitation.

Answer example:

I think the true strength of a person lies in the people around them and in the way they help each other out mutually. That’s why one of the aspects of my personality I would like to draw your attention to is my altruism, which has helped me on a number of occasions during my career…

#25 – Empathy

You are able to naturally connect with and understand the people you come into contact with, even without speaking to them.

Answer example:

Any list of strengths should begin with empathy, which is exactly how mine begins. Connecting with other people and communicating with them without words is a quality others say I have and it’s one I have learnt to take advantage of…

And that 25th strength completes our list of strengths to mention in a job interview.

Meaning it’s time to move on to the list of weaknesses…

What are ‘good’ weaknesses for a job interview?

You’ll notice straight away that some of the weaknesses were also in the list of strengths.

You may wonder why.

That’s because sometimes there’s a fine line between strengths and weaknesses. Some qualities, taken to the extreme, can become weaknesses.

As with the strengths, each weakness is accompanied by a brief description to help you decide whether that particular flaw suits you or not.

The description is followed by a concrete example of each weakness.

Imagine you’ve just been asked to talk about a weakness. How would you go about replying?

Don’t worry: here’s the solution.

And to get the most out of this list of examples, make sure you read our article on replying to questions about your weaknesses!

#1 Strength and Weakness – Competitive

You only work well if there is a goal to be reached or somebody to beat. But the climate at work can suffer from your fierce competitiveness.

How to answer:

I tend to let myself be drawn into competition with my colleagues. To begin with it was a fault I wasn’t aware of, but then somebody pointed out that it was becoming a problem so I took note and began to work on it…

#2 – Stubborn

Headstrong and determined, nothing can change your mind once you have taken a decision. You find it hard to admit you have made a mistake and will often persevere with a course of action even when it isn’t appropriate.

How to answer:

One of my weaknesses is that I’m stubborn. I find it hard to abandon a decision or goal once I’ve set my mind on it. But I’ve realized how difficult this was to deal with and so…

#3 – Impulsive

You tend to act quickly without reflecting too much. But this prevents you from thinking through the consequences of your choices properly.

How to answer:

One of my weaknesses is that I’m too hasty. I’m essentially an impulsive person and act naturally without reflecting too much on where a certain choice will lead. But I’ve realized that this can cause mistakes and so…

#4 Strength and Weakness – Critical

You call absolutely everything into question. Sometimes you’re right, but you can take things too far and this may hinder your work and that of your colleagues.

How to answer:

One weakness I’m working on is my tendency to analyse every single decision and situation. I’ve realized that while sometimes it may allow me to identify and fix problems before they even arise, at other times it can hinder the efficiency of work processes that have already been agreed upon…

#5 – Indecisive

You’re never sure about anything. Chronic indecision and constant changes of mind make you incapable of following through with a decision without having second thoughts.

How to answer:

I’m not sure which of my weaknesses has the biggest impact on my work… although, come to think of it, indecision is probably the one: if I’m given too much responsibility for making decisions, I’m racked by doubts. I’ve discovered though a strategy that helps...

#6 – Chaotic

You’re unable to organize things the way you want (and need) to and are surrounded by an air of chaos. You have a habit, in the midst of all the confusion, of losing track of, or forgetting important items or appointments.

How to answer:

Organization is not exactly my strongest suit. Actually, it would be more accurate to say that disorganization is my biggest weakness. In the past I found it hard to keep it in check. I would tell myself that “you need to have chaos in yourself to give birth to a dancing star”. But I’ve realized that too much chaos can be a problem, so I decided to deal with it by…

#7 – Lateness

Your alarm clock is your sworn enemy. Whether it’s an appointment or a project deadline, you struggle to make it for the agreed time.

How to answer:

I never forget to reply to an email, turn up to an appointment or deliver an assignment, but I don’t always manage to do it within the assigned time period. However, I’ve found I can curb this tendency and meet deadlines better if I…

#8 Strength and Weakness – Perfectionist

You’re only happy when something is perfect. This means you are often unsatisfied, because you don’t have time to do things as well as you would like.

How to answer:

It’s difficult for me to close out a project if I know that there are aspects that can be improved on. After all, if they can be improved, why not do it? So that’s where my perfectionism works against me. I know, however, that there are times when it’s more important to have a finished but imperfect project than a perfect project which hasn’t been started, so…

#9 – Verbosity

Words come easy to you. What’s harder is stopping them. You’re incapable of expressing yourself briefly or succinctly and staying on topic can sometimes prove a challenge.

How to answer:

I enjoy talking and discussing and am never short of a topic for conversation. But this can become a problem in situations where it’s best to keep the chat to a minimum. It’s not that I can’t do it, just that I find it a pain to have to restrain myself. In any case, I’ve managed to strike a happy medium by…

#10 – Distracted

You’re such a multi-tasker that you’re unable to focus on what you’re doing at any given moment and your short-term attention span means it’s never long before you’re thinking about something else.

How to answer:

One of my weaknesses is that I’m easily distracted. At the company I work for, this proved a problem because the working environment is very chaotic and I personally found this hard to deal with. But I managed to get by, and my attention level even improved…

#11 – Introverted

You enjoy your own company so much that you find it difficult to be around others. It takes time for you to build a rapport with your colleagues and the thought of speaking at a meeting sends you into a cold sweat.

How to answer:

If I had to choose a weakness, it would probably be that I’m an introvert. Having seen the benefits but also the limitations it brings, I view this characteristic as both a strength and a weakness. However, to make sure I’m not hampered by the limitations and to step outside my comfort zone, I’ve decided to…

#12 – Impatient

You’re unable to dedicate time to yourself or to others. This makes you rush things, and in your haste, you overlook details and the quality of your work suffers as a consequence.

How to answer:

Impatience is a weakness of mine. I’ve made mistakes in the past because of my inability to take sufficient time to sit and reflect. But I’ve learned from this to…

#13 – Passive

You feel unable to take the initiative, or else wait for others to do it for you. Rather than responding promptly to outside input, you simply experience it passively.

How to answer:

One of my weaknesses is that I personally find it difficult to respond to external input and generally prefer to wait for others to make decisions rather than actively taking them myself. I’ve realized though that this was becoming a weakness at work and was holding me back, so I…

#14 – Sensitive

You take literally everything to heart, no matter what the situation, and tend to lead with your heart more than your head. At times you lack clarity of thought and if something goes wrong, you take it personally.

How to answer:

I’m not always able to separate my emotions from my work and this has an effect on my ability to think clearly. Being overly sensitive was a problem until I decided to find a way of managing it…

#15 – Conventional

The way you see it, things should always stay the same. Once you’ve got used to a certain way of doing things, you find it difficult to imagine another way of doing them. And if you were asked to do something creative, you wouldn’t know where to begin.

How to answer:

I like well-established, conventional ways of doing things. I realized how much this had become a weakness when our procedures were revised and I had trouble adapting. That prompted me to…

#16 – Undisciplined

If somebody tells you to do something in a certain way, you nod and then do things the way you want. You don’t like following orders and prefer to decide for yourself.

How to answer:

My list of weaknesses definitely includes problems following instructions. I find it humiliating having somebody always telling me what to do. On occasions, this has led me to putting my foot down and doing things my own way. I found, however, that what helped me a lot…

#17 – Anxious

You experience everything as if it was an attack on your peace of mind. You’re in a constant state of anxiety and the stress is causing you psychological damage.

How to answer:

One of my weaknesses is the anxiety that certain work situations cause me. Speaking at an official meeting was for a long time an insurmountable challenge for me until I…

#18 – Overbearing

You’re sure that your point of view is the right one and try to impose it on others. You have no qualms about disregarding the ideas and thoughts of others to make sure that your own prevail.

How to answer:

In discussions, people have mentioned to me that I tend to push my own point of view at the expense of those of others. This is definitely one of my defects. But since I’m aware of it, I’m careful to…

#19 – Selfish

You’re unable to do something for someone else disinterestedly and instead seek personal gain at every opportunity. Your principal concern is yourself.

How to answer:

I find it hard to empathize with the needs of others if they are in contrast with my own. To combat this weakness of mine I have started to…

#20 – Procrastinator

“Never do today what you can do tomorrow” is your own personal motto. Although to be honest, you’re fairly sure there’ll be time the day after tomorrow, too!

How to answer:

My biggest weakness is putting things off. It never seems the right time to do something — there’s always a better moment just around the corner. But careful organization and more structure is helping me improve…

#21 – Control freak

You micromanage every little detail to make sure absolutely everything goes according to plan and find it difficult to allow others to act independently.

How to answer:

I am fanatical about organization and control, but realized it was really a weakness and that my need for control was becoming a prison of my own making. So I decided to break free…

#22 – Slow

You take forever to do things — or at least longer than you would like. You can’t understand how the time manages to pass so quickly and end up working like a maniac to complete the tasks you were assigned.

How to answer:

One of my weaknesses is that I’m slow. I’m a very pensive type of person and struggle if I’m told the goal of a project is speed, not quality. But I’ve now worked out how to handle these situations…

#23 – Indifferent

As far as you’re concerned, one opinion is as good as another. Nothing can get you off that neutral fence upon which you sit, while the unbridled enthusiasm of others leaves you unmoved.

How to answer:

One of my weaknesses is that I find it difficult to share other people’s emotions. It takes me time to get involved in something, but I’ve realized I can overcome this if…

#24 – Intolerant

You are unable to tolerate opinions that diverge from your own. You find it difficult to work with people who see things differently to you and rebuff all efforts to mediate.

How to answer:

I find it much easier dealing with people who agree with my point of view or with whom I can easily identify. This weakness in my relations with other has, however, lessened ever since…

#25 – Immature

You approach everything as if it was a game, even when this is inappropriate. You’re unable to adjust your behaviour to suit the circumstances, or to take situations seriously.

How to answer:

I like the fun, playful side of life, but sometimes this clashes with work requirements. This proved to be a weakness, for example, when…

That 25th defect closes our list of weaknesses to mention in a job interview, with corresponding examples.

And, as promised, here comes the bonus section…

[Bonus] The Strengths and Weaknesses You Don’t Know About (But Should)

Strengths and weaknesses are not just about personal characteristics. What you studied at school or university, or learnt through experience, might also represent an important and distinctive strength!

But here’s the interesting part:

In addition to being strengths, education and experience are also, crucially, the aspects in which it is easiest to improve.

The point?

They also make excellent weaknesses. A deficiency in a specific area is one that you can remediate, showing commitment and dedication as you do so.

And if you are the kind of person who learns things quickly, well, that’s another strength you shouldn’t underestimated!

Let’s now look at a list of strengths and weaknesses connected with your education and experience that could come in useful in a job interview!

#1 – Formal qualifications

It might seem obvious, but in the right circumstances, your qualifications could turn out to be your secret weapon.

Don’t forget any training or refresher courses you may have taken or certificates you have earned. The more specific or unusual they are, the better they will help you stand out from the crowd!

#2 – Foreign Languages

Every single language you know could make the difference.

It’s better if you possess actual certificates proving your language skills, but experience and time spent abroad may count for even more.

On the other hand, if your knowledge of a language leaves a little to be desired, it could be an excellent weakness to say you are working on.

#3 – IT Skills

In many job interviews, information technology skills represent a key strength.

The better and more complex you skills are (it might be knowing how to use a software application or how to program in a specific language), the more important they will be.

#4 – Market Sector

Let’s say you’ve worked for years in a given sector and have got to know it inside out — its characteristics, the customers and competitors, the overall situation and the specific details.

How many others could say the same? That’s right, not many. So make the most of it!

So what next?

Now you’ve worked out what your strengths and weaknesses are, you just need to find the right opportunity to put yourself to the test:

So what are you waiting for? Start looking for potential job opportunities right away on Jobted!

One of the most common questions you’ll come across in any job interview is “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” 

At first glance, this interview question may seem like a trap. 

How are you supposed to talk about your strengths without coming off as too boastful, or discuss your weaknesses without harming your chances of getting hired? 

In reality, though, this is a valuable opportunity to showcase your skills and personality. By having a good understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, you can demonstrate your self-awareness, your ability to improve, and your fit for the position.

In the end, it all comes down to knowing how to answer — and this is exactly what we’re here to help you with. 

In this article, we’ll cover:

• Why do hiring managers ask about your strengths and weaknesses?
• Tips to talk about your strengths and weaknesses. 
• A list of strengths and weaknesses you can use when crafting your answer. 

Let’s dive in! 

Why Do Interviewers Ask About Strengths and Weaknesses

The first step to acing this tricky interview question is understanding why interviewers ask it in the first place. 

There are 5 reasons for this:

• To assess your self-awareness. Being able to identify your strengths and weaknesses is a sign of self-awareness, which is a valuable trait in the workplace. Self-aware employees can make the most of their strengths and work to improve on their weaknesses. 
• To see whether you can improve. Everyone has weaknesses, but not everyone works on them. As such, when asking this question, the interviewer wants to see whether you are the type of person who actively works on improving your skills and yourself. 
• To learn about your work style. The way you answer this question can reveal a lot about your personality and work style (e.g. how you cope with stress, whether you’re a team player, etc.). 
• To evaluate if you’re the right fit for the job. At the end of the day, the interviewer wants to know whether you have the necessary skills and work experience to succeed in the role. In this regard, your strengths can be what proves you’re a right fit whereas your weaknesses can show what areas you need to work on. 
• To see how you handle a tough question. Talking about your weaknesses can be stressful, and interviewers may use this to see how you handle the pressure. 

In a nutshell, the “strengths and weaknesses” question can provide valuable insight into the candidate’s skills, personality, and self-awareness, as well as show the interviewer whether they’re the right fit for the job. 

To learn what the best answers are for other popular interview questions and answers, check out our comprehensive guide.

5 Tips to Talk About Your Strengths

Now that we got the “why-s” out of the way, let’s talk about some practical tips you can take advantage of when discussing your strengths: 

1. Be relevant. You should mention strengths that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Take a close look at the job description and company values to identify them. Make sure to mention them when asked about your strengths (as long as you really possess them, of course). 
2. Back up your claims. To really make an impression, back up everything you say with evidence. Instead of saying “I’m a great leader,” say something like: “I’d say my strength is being a team leader. In my previous role, I led a team of five that increased company sales by 20% in seven months.” 
3. Show humility. While it’s beneficial to “show off” your strengths, it’s just as important to show humility and acknowledge you still have room — and willingness — to learn and grow. 
4. Be authentic. Don’t exaggerate or embellish your strengths and, most importantly, don’t lie about them. Sooner or later, your employer will know and that’s not a situation that you want to be in. 
5. Emphasize how your strengths can benefit the company. As much as you can, tie your strengths back to how they can benefit the company and contribute to its success. For example, “Creativity is one of my biggest strengths and I think it will help me create more successful and engaging advertising campaigns for your products.”

List of Strengths You Can Mention in Your Interview

Incorporating all the above-mentioned tips into your answer can be challenging, so we suggest you take some time prior to the interview to think about what you want to say and how you want to say it.   

Start by making a list of your top strengths that also match the job description and the role requirements. Then, think about these two questions as you structure your answer:

• Why are you good at X? How can you prove it?
• How can X help you in this position/has helped you in your previous roles?

Both of these questions can help you come up with an answer that’s impactful, genuine, and relevant to the job or field you’re applying for. 

In case you’re not sure which of your top strengths to mention, here are some in-demand strengths for many jobs, across a number of industries: 

1. Creativity
2. Versatility
3. Flexibility
4. Focused
5. Taking Initiative
6. Honesty
7. Dedication
8. Integrity
9. Continuous Learning
10. Teamwork

5 Sample Answers for “What Are Your Strengths?” 

Even the most experienced candidates can struggle with describing their strengths, so we’ve compiled a list of examples to inspire you: 

#1. Continuous Learning 

“My greatest strength is my passion for continuous learning. For example, whenever new software is released, I am always the first one to test and get familiar with it. I enjoy exploring and learning every aspect of the software, as I believe it’s essential to stay ahead in this ever-evolving industry. I believe this position would provide me with the opportunity to apply my eagerness to learn and use it as an asset to help Company X adapt to new tech.” 

#2. Collaboration

“I’d say it’s my ability to work well with others. I have always enjoyed working as part of a team and find that my collaborative nature is one of my strongest professional attributes. In my last role as a project leader, I was able to meet all deadlines and deliverables by improving team collaboration via new processes and software.  I am confident that I can bring this strength to your team and contribute to building a positive, collaborative work environment.”

#3. Writing Skills

“I’d say my greatest strength is my writing skills. I take pride in my ability to write with clarity and precision, and I always make sure to meet deadlines. One specific example I want to mention happened in my last role when a colleague couldn’t finalize a project and only told my editor two hours before the deadline. The project was important, so I immediately got to work, and completed the article on time. Despite the time crunch, I was able to deliver high-quality work that was well-received by our audience.” 

#4. Empathy 

“My greatest strength is my empathy and my ability to relate to people and understand their needs. During my internship last summer, I was working on the support line and received a call from a frustrated customer who was unhappy with our services. By listening to her concerns and communicating with her both on a professional and on a personal level, we managed to retain her as a customer. I believe that a happy customer is a vital component of any successful business. and I am confident that my empathetic approach can help you build positive, lasting relationships with yours.”

#5. Problem-Solving 

“My greatest strength is my problem-solving skills. I pride myself on being able to quickly and efficiently analyze and solve complex problems by considering different perspectives. This skill allows me to remain effective even in a stressful situation. Additionally, I am also a confident communicator, able to effectively convey my ideas and insights to both senior executives and junior team members. By considering all sides of an issue, I can offer a well-rounded perspective that can provide the team with valuable insight. I believe that my ability to solve problems efficiently and communicate effectively can be an asset to your team, and I am eager to contribute my skills to help the team succeed.”

6 Tips to Talk About Your Weaknesses 

Effectively highlighting your strengths when answering the “strengths and weaknesses” question is only half of the work.

The rest is about discussing your weaknesses the right way. 

After all, you don’t want to be one of those candidates who make the interview mistake of answering with something like “my greatest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist.” The interviewer will not appreciate your lack of self-awareness and inability to talk about your weak points. 

At the same time, you don’t want to mention a weakness that can actually ruin your chances of getting the job (e.g. saying your weakness is impatience while applying for a role as a teacher). 

So, how can you talk about your weakness in a way that shows self-awareness and the willingness to learn? Here are our top tips: 

1. Be honest, but tactful. Talk about a genuine weakness, but avoid mentioning a weakness that’s critical to the job or that’s too personal (e.g. “my weakness is that I’m unlucky in love and often get used by people”). 
2. Talk about self-improvement. Actions speak louder than words. Explain just how you’re working on overcoming your weakness by highlighting the steps you’ve taken or that you’re currently taking to improve. 
3. Show willingness to learn. When you’re discussing your weaknesses, make sure to stress that you’re open to feedback, advice, and help to continue learning and growing. 
4. Highlight strengths. For every weakness that you mention, show that you possess a strength or skill to compensate for it. For example, if you mention public speaking as a weakness, you can say your creativity compensates for it. 
5. Be specific. This applies to literally everything job-application-process-related, interviews included. The more specific you can be about an example where you identified a weakness, overcame it, or turned it into a strength, the more you’ll be able to impress the hiring manager.
6. Practice your response. Talking about our weaknesses doesn’t come easy to most people, so don’t let this question catch you off guard. Check the job description and role requirements in advance, think about a genuine weakness that won’t penalize you as a candidate, and practice your answer before the interview to deliver it as confidently as possible. 

List of Weaknesses You Can Mention in Your Interview

Identifying your weaknesses can be easier said than done — especially when you need to make sure none of your weaknesses can jeopardize your chances of getting hired. 

If you’re having a hard time finding your weaknesses, turn to a friend or close coworker to help you determine what you can improve on. Always remember that weaknesses are not permanent, and just because you have a few weaknesses does not mean that you are doomed.

Alternatively, here’s a list of weaknesses that you can use to inspire your response:

• Self-criticism
• Insecurity
• Extremely Introverted
• Extremely Extroverted
• Creative Writing
• Too detail-oriented
• Financial Literacy
• A Particular Software
• Too sensitive
• Presentation Skills

5 Samples Answers for “What Are Your Weaknesses?”

And here are some sample answers to “what are your weaknesses?” that can help inspire you:

#1. Self-criticism

“One of my weaknesses is that I tend to be overly critical of myself. After completing a project, even if it’s received positive feedback, I often feel like I could have done more. This can lead to overworking and burnout. To address this, I’ve learned to take time to objectively evaluate my achievements and celebrate my wins. This has not only improved my work and confidence but has also helped me appreciate the support of my team and other systems behind me. I still strive for excellence but have learned to balance it with self-care and a healthy perspective on my accomplishments.”

#2. Introversion

“I used to struggle with sharing my ideas in group settings and speaking up during team meetings due to my introverted nature. However, I have since recognized the importance of participating and have been actively working to improve in this area. After my team underperformed on two consecutive projects, I realized that I needed to make changes to contribute more effectively. To overcome my introversion, I enrolled in local improv classes and started pushing myself to speak up more during team meetings. Although it’s still a work in progress, I have made significant improvements over the past year and am continuing to work on my communication skills to be a more effective team member.”

#3. Avoiding confrontation

“I tend to avoid confrontations, both in my personal and professional life. While I believe it’s important to maintain a harmonious work environment, I understand that conflicts can arise and need to be addressed promptly. I am taking steps to improve in this area by developing my conflict resolution skills. For example, I have been attending workshops and reading books on conflict management. I am also practicing having difficult conversations with colleagues and friends to get more comfortable with the whole process.”

#4. Insecurity 

“My greatest weakness is my tendency to second-guess myself and my abilities. For instance, I sometimes doubt my work and worry that it may not be up to the required standards, even when it is. However, I am taking steps to overcome this weakness. I have been working on building my confidence by reminding myself of my past accomplishments. I also actively seek feedback from others, including coworkers and managers, to help validate my work. I understand that this is a common issue, and I am willing to put in the work to overcome my insecurities.”

#5. Presentation Skills

“My greatest weakness is my presentation skills. While I am comfortable communicating one-on-one or in small groups, I tend to get nervous when giving presentations to larger groups. However, I am taking steps to overcome this weakness. For instance, I have been practicing and watching online tutorials on how to improve my presentation skills. Additionally, I have been seeking opportunities to present in front of others, both in and out of work, to gain more experience and confidence. For example, I recently gave a presentation at a local meetup group which allowed me to practice my skills in a more relaxed environment.”

FAQs on Strengths and Weaknesses 

Q — 

1. What are some strengths and weaknesses of a student?

Some common strengths and weaknesses of students are:

Strengths:

1. Curiosity and eagerness to learn new things
2. Ability to adapt and adjust to changing situations
3. Good time-management skills
4. Strong work ethic and determination to succeed
5. Creativity and innovative thinking
6. Good communication skills and ability to work in teams

Weaknesses:

1. Procrastination and lack of motivation
2. Poor time-management skills
3. Difficulty with concentration and focus
4. Limited organization skills
5. Difficulty with critical thinking and problem-solving
6. Lack of self-discipline and self-motivation

Q — 

2. How can I assess my strengths and weaknesses?

To assess your strengths, think about skills that you really possess and that you can prove that you possess with specific examples and achievements. Then, pick the strengths that have helped you the most in your career so far or that can come in handy for the role you’re applying for currently. 

When it comes to identifying your weaknesses, here are some strategies that can help you:

1. Seek feedback from trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors on areas where they think that you can improve. This can help you identify blind spots you may be unaware of.
2. Spend some time reflecting on your professional performance. Think about situations where you faced challenges and try to pinpoint the underlying reasons. 
3. Use objective assessment tools, such as personality traits or skills assessments to identify where you need to improve. 
4. Set goals to address all the weaknesses you’ve identified.

Q — 

3. What are some good strengths and weaknesses to mention in a job interview?

There is no one-fits-all answer to this question, as each individual has their strengths and weaknesses in their personal and professional life.

In the professional context, you should mention a strength that highlights skills that are relevant to the role or industry you’re applying for and that you can prove with facts and achievements. 

Conclusion

And that’s a wrap on this popular job interview question! 

We hope that our tips and sample answers will help and inspire you to effectively talk about your strengths and weaknesses to potential employers and increase your chances of landing your dream job. 

Just remember to always show confidence, honesty, and self-awareness when answering this question and you can rest assured the interviewer will approve. 

For more advice, check out the rest of our career blog! 

Related Articles: 

• 21+ Behavioral Interview Questions
• How to Answer “Tell me About Yourself” in 2023 
• What Are Your Career Goals?
• How to Answer “Why Should We Hire You?” 
• 10+ Best Answers for “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
• How to Ace Interviews with the STAR Method
• 10+ Situational Interview Questions and Answers

One of the most commonly asked HR interview questions that most of us experienced or will experience at some point in a personal interview is “What are your strength and weakness?”. Many candidates are unsure how to approach this question, however, establishing the appropriate context can give recruiters an honest and thoughtful answer. Highlighting both your consciousness and professionalism can help you crack an interview. In this article, you’ll find the list of strengths and weaknesses and tips on how to prepare your response for such interview questions.

Know the Best Answer for Why MBA!

Why Do Interviewers Ask “What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

“What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?” is a frequent question asked by recruiters and interviewers across the globe. It is the best way to assess a candidate’s ability to communicate, differentiate and relay their own skills, strengths, and drawbacks to the interviewer. The question helps the interviewer understand your potential and whether your strengths and weaknesses align with the organization’s ethics and principles.

27 Key One-Word Strengths List

Here are the best examples of key strengths you can say in an interview:

1. Accuracy
2. Brevity
3. Clarity
4. Creative
5. Determinate
6. Disciplined
7. Dedicated
8. Enthusiastic
9. Flexible
10. Honest
11. Hard-working
12. Negotiation Skills
13. Organization Skills
14. Patient
15. Trustworthy
16. Time-management
17. Team player
18. Quick learner
19. Versatile
20. Optimistic
21. Judiciousness
22. Excellent Communication Multitasking
23. Expressive
24. Respectful
25. Innovative
26. Attentive
27. Empathetic

Always remember, when you are preparing your response to the “What is your strength and weakness?” question, it’s important to ensure your strengths support the job description and set you apart from other candidates. Be specific in your responses and not overly humble. 

Here are Expert Answers for Where You See Yourself in 5 Years!

10+ One Word Weaknesses List

When it comes to understanding your weaknesses, it is quite a sloppy path. It is at this point where you can place your creative thinking at play and be smart about it. Your answer needs to reflect your clear analytical understanding of your own weak spots yet it needs to not absolve you of your strengths. Here are the best answer examples for What are Your Weaknesses:

1. Too critical of yourself 
2. Perfectionist
3. Procrastinator
4. Introverted
5. In a rush to complete tasks before the deadlines and you stress yourself in the process.
6. It takes time for you to develop trust with your subordinates. 
7. Your quest to achieve perfection might hinder you from engaging in the delegation. 
8. Change is not really your strong suit. Hence, you take time to adapt to a new environment. 
9. Being a shy person, it becomes difficult for me to question others at certain moments or enforce new rules and regulations.
10. Being sensitive to others’ needs, sometimes, people try to be manipulative with me. 
11. Being an open communicator, my style might be a bit blunt and brazen for others. 

The best formula could be to first state your weakness, followed by adding context and a specific story or example of how this trait has emerged in your professional life. This will give your employer an insight into your level of self-awareness and commitment to professional growth.

Here’s the Right Way to Introduction in an Interview!

What are your Greatest Strengths Example Answers

Here are the best example answers for What are your Greatest Strengths:

Example 1: “I have always been a fast learner. As a kid, I used to read different kinds of books from fictional to autobiographies and encyclopedias. Growing up, I got fascinated with learning languages and then learning programming and coding. I consider my habit of consistently learning something new as one of my strengths as I am always ready to take up new things, grow and evolve into a better version of myself.”

Example 2: “I consider my interpersonal and communication skills as one of my strengths because I am excellent at talking with people, working in different teams and collaborating on varied projects. I was the head boy of my school and was always in touch with schoolmates from different classes and helping them through their notes and exams while also asking their opinions on school activities and events. In college, I was not only in the top 5 of the class but also took part in extracurriculars working with the Drama society, NGOs, and sports committee as well as representing as a campus ambassador for different internships.”

Example 3: My greatest strength is that I’m an empathetic person skilled at relating to people and understanding their needs. At my internship over the summer, I was working the support line and received a call from a disgruntled customer who had been dropped from our service. While the company couldn’t find a solution for her, I walked her through other options she might have so she walked away with a positive interaction with the company. I know the importance of a happy customer, and I’m willing to remain upbeat and solutions-oriented.

Example 4: My strongest asset is my work ethic and my willingness to step in when needed. I’m not afraid to take on a difficult client or do a project that nobody else wants because those are the clients and projects that teach me the most. I typically love to work outside of my job description and do whatever is asked of me. I’m not above any single task, and I take great pride in my ability to step in and adapt to any situation to get the best results for the company.

What are Your Weaknesses Example Answers

Here are some example answers for What are your Weaknesses:

Example 1: “I would like to say that my greatest weakness is that I can be too critical of myself. I have noticed that early in my career, I always focused on what I was not really good at rather than appreciating how far I have come and how I can make myself better. I have found that the best way to break this habit is to actively find ways to reflect and focus more on achievements alongside constantly improving myself.”

Example 2: “I have always been a perfectionist, finding ways to better something until I feel happy with it even if sometimes I go all out of my way overachieving something. My friends always pointed out this habit and I only realized it a few years ago during a college project where my need to strive for perfection almost cost my team the credits of that particular course. I learned my lesson then and have always tried to accomplish things within the time and giving my best and feeling content with the same.”

Example 3: “My greatest weakness is that I am a procrastinator and only pick up a task once the deadline is looming in my head. I tried to battle this bad habit back in college when I would try my best to finish up assignments a day before the deadline and somehow mastered this habit to combat my procrastination. I am still working on this weakness and would like to say that I have learned to prioritize tasks and make a proper plan so that I don’t wait until the final day.”

Example 4: “I’m not familiar with the latest version of the software that you use. I’ve spent my time recently focused on generating a positive user experience and have always been willing to learn new things. Throughout my career software has always changed and I’ve always been willing to adapt to changing technology. I will put in the time it takes to learn this new software.”

Recommended Read: How to Crack a Telephonic Interview

10 Strengths and Weaknesses of a Personality

Now that you are aware of the common strengths and weaknesses you can display them on your resume, and interview rounds. Here are some of the strengths and weaknesses that will describe your personality. It is important to include personality strengths and weaknesses as it is one of the aspects that show how you handle things and different situations:

5 Personality Strengths You Should Know

• Brave
• Confident
• Idealistic
• Determined
• Humble

5 Personality Weaknesses You Should Know

• Being too honest
• Hard time letting go of tasks until finished
• Giving myself hard time and the deadline to finish work
• Too critical of yourself 
• Introverted

10 Strengths and Weaknesses to Mention in the Resume

Are you planning to switch your job, especially to a completely different path? A resume is the first thing the hiring manager sees. It is important that it is a reflection of your skills. One of the important things in a resume is adding strengths and weaknesses. We are here to help you and have curated a strength and weaknesses for your resume:

Top 5 Strengths for Resume

• Creative
• Determinate
• Dedicated
• Flexible
• Honest

Top 5 Weakness of Resume

• Multitasking too much
• Self Criticism
• Too detailed oriented
• Overthinking
• Analytical

10 Strengths and Weakness of HR Interview

Now that you have impressed your future HR manager with your resume, the next step is to ace your HR interview. One common question every HR asks is What are your strengths and weakness? Here are some of the strengths and weaknesses you can use in your HR interview:

5 Strengths for HR Interview to Land Your Dream Job

• Clarity
• Determinate
• Organization Skills
• Patient
• Polite and Honest

5 Weakness for HR Interview to Land Your Dream Job

• Perfectionist
• Introverted
• Stressing too much to complete work before the deadline
• Procrastinator
• Giving priority to work before my comfort

10 Strengths and Weakness of an MBA Interview

No matter where you are applying for MBA there is always an MBA interview round. Students are nervous about this round but don’t worry because we are sorting out the most asked question in MBA interviews. Here are all your answers for strengths and weaknesses for the MBA interview:

5 Strengths for MBA Interview

• Enthusiasm
• Discipline
• Patience
• Determination
• Dedication

5 Weakness of MBA Interview

• Thinking about the future and creating effective plans
• Too much risk taker
• Thinking about the whole team
• Trying to finish tasks before the deadline
• Want pure perfection

Strengths and Weakness for Fresher

This question can be tricky for freshers. Since as a fresher, you do not possess a wealth of experience in the professional setting and corporate world, being honest about your weaknesses and tailoring your strengths according to the job profile is the best way to land your dream job. Here are some weaknesses and strengths you can use to stand out:

Strengths

• Determined
• Polite
• Dedicated
• Goal-oriented
• Creative
• Flexible
• Innovative
• Team player
• Open to Criticism
• Persuasive

Weaknesses

• Self-critical
• Public speaking
• Impatient
• Anxious
• Indecisive
• Slow worker

Strengths and Weakness For SSB Interview

Turn your weaknesses into your strengths. Create a list of your flaws on a personal and professional level, and be honest with yourself and others about your less-than-ideal traits. A few of them include:

• Tardiness
• Short temper
• Lack of organization
• Perfectionism
• Stubbornness
• Messiness
• Poor time management
• Bossiness
• Self-doubt
• Impatience
• Procrastination
• Disorganized
• Self-critical/sensitive
• Shy/Not adept at public speaking
• Competitive
• Not detail-oriented/too detail-oriented
• Not comfortable taking risks
• Too focused/lack of focus

How to Address Your Strengths And Weaknesses

While answering this pertinent question it is important to keep a few things in mind, candidates should avoid oversharing and should be able to align their strengths and weaknesses with the profile they have applied for. Many recruiters ask this question to understand whether you are a perfect candidate and a good fit for the team, and the organization, and how you will adapt to the work culture. Thus, it’s important to express the strengths that will help you get the job. For example, avoid using cliches like I’m a perfectionist and avoid oversharing like expressing how you tend to procrastinate, etc.

How to Script Better Answers in an Interview

Scripting the perfect answer requires introspection and thought. First, assess your strengths and determine how they align with the skills and responsibilities of the job. Script an appropriate response such as ‘Hi, I believe my strengths lie in my skills as a professional writer, editor, and marketing analyst. I like to experiment with my skills challenge myself to do things differently and keep up with the existing trends in the field. As for my weaknesses, I believe I need to set unrealistic goals for myself.

Sample Resume

Practice is what makes us better. Rehearsing is one of the most crucial steps before your interview. Do a SWOT analysis, If you are not aware of your weaknesses, you may sound ingenuine.

SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is an analytical method for identifying and analyzing internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats that shape current and future operations and help develop strategic goals. SWOT analyses are not limited to companies. Individuals can also use SWOT analysis to engage in constructive introspection and form personal and professional improvement goals. Thus, with the right amount of practice, you will nail your response and impress the recruiters with your answer when they ask, “What is your strength and weakness for a job interview?”

FAQs

If you want to get into your dream course in a high-ranked global university, you’ll need more than just good grades; you’ll also need flawless application because the competition is fierce. You may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realize your goals. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

List of
Strengths and Weaknesses

This list of strengths and weaknesses examples helps you to self evaluate and recognize those that apply to you. Know how to present these employee strengths and weaknesses in the best way when answering interview questions.

Identify your top strengths from your previous work and life experience and provide the right answer to the frequently asked interview question «What are your strengths?»

What are the skills and behaviors that you need to work on and improve?

Everyone has a fair number of these! Employers want to know how you
manage the weakness and recognizing the weakness is the first essential
step to managing it properly.

List of Strengths and Weaknesses
17 Good Examples of Strengths 

This complete list of employee strengths and weaknesses and how they present in the workplace will help you identify and evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

How do you answer — What is your greatest strength?»

• Identify the strengths that will contribute to successful job
  performance
• Using the list of strengths and weaknesses describe your
  strength
• Support your answer with examples of how this strength is
  evident in your work performance

Sample Interview Answers

11 Essential employee strengths for the workplace in 2023

What are the strengths that employers want today? These employee strengths are core to successful job performance in most career fields.

Self evaluation strengths and weaknesses examples

A great tool for self-evaluation of your own strengths is the strengths-finder at What
are your Strengths?

Once you have self- evaluated your key strengths and weaknesses it is helpful to prepare answers that contextualize these strengths and weaknesses. Here are some good examples:

Teamwork/Collaboration

«My colleagues have commented on my ability to carefully listen and respect their input while making my own valid contributions to group discussions. This facilitates a cooperative approach to task and project completion.»

Problem Solving

«My supervisor has commended me for meeting challenges and problems head on and finding solutions. I am able to gather and carefully analyze all the relevant information in order to propose a workable solution. Recently I had to sort out …..»

Judgment and decision-making

«When faced with a tough decision I carefully consider all the facts, the positives and negatives and all possible outcomes before making a final decision. I am well known for my pros and cons lists! Recently I …»

Resilient

«I am sometimes referred to as a rubber ball  because I  am able to bounce back quickly after a set back!  I regard a disappointment as a learning opportunity and don’t allow it to keep me from progressing. I have found that one of the keys to being resilient is the ability to adapt and adjust to changing situations. Recently ….»

How to Discuss your Weaknesses

Tips on answering «What are your strengths?»

Candidates often find it awkward to express their strengths, these speech softeners will help you.

What are your weaknesses?

This complete list of workplace weaknesses makes it easy to identify our own weaknesses and lists the steps to take to improve on your weakness.

Top sample interview answers to «What are your strengths and weaknesses?»

Which example of weaknesses applies to you?

Discover the example of weaknesses that best applies to you and use the sample interview answers to «What is your greatest weakness?» to confidently describe your areas for improvement.

3 key strengths and 3 areas of improvement to focus on

Employers often settle on the number 3 when they ask you to discuss your strengths and weaknesses! These are 3 generic and common strengths and weaknesses that will help you answer the question «Name your 3 key strengths and 3 areas of improvement».

Strengths:

• communication skills (verbal and written, listening and understanding)
• organizational skills (planning, organizing resources and time-management)
• diligence (hard-working, responsible and reliable)

Areas of improvement:

• impatience (expects good results and gets frustrated with slower performers)
• overthinking (procrastination and cautious behavior)
• taking on too much responsibility (reluctant to say no or to delegate)

These 3 strengths are applicable to almost every job while the 3 areas for improvement can confidently be addressed to minimize their impact in the workplace.

Knowing and understanding your strengths and weaknesses as a student shows
important insight into yourself, a quality that future employers look for in student interviews.

Students strengths and weaknesses list

Nursing strengths and weaknesses list

Identify the nursing strengths and weaknesses examples that apply to you and use the excellent sample interview answers to the nurse strengths and weaknesses interview question.

Don’t miss these pages

Are you ready for these job interview questions?

We provide excellent sample interview answers to these interview questions. Be ready to shine in your job interview.

Use the list of strengths and weaknesses to successfully answer common job interview questions.

To Top of Page

Extremely extroverted

Too sensitive

Presentation skills

Disorganized

Overly critical of myself

Perfectionism

Shy/too introverted

Competitive

Not skilled at delegating work

Trouble saying “no”/taking on too much responsibility

Too focused on the details

Not detail-oriented enough

Can suffer from lack of focus/distraction

Get impatient when projects miss deadlines

Need more experience in verbal communication

Need more practice sharpening my writing skills

Need more experience leading a team

Need more experience interpreting data

Need more experience in giving constructive feedback

Sometimes lack confidence

Sometimes do not ask for help soon enough

Need to maintain a better work/life balance

Attempting to please everyone

Assuming I know more than I do/not asking enough questions

Starting a project without understanding all requirements

Example Answers: “What are your strengths?”

1. Action-oriented/entrepreneurial
I am always moving forward, with an ear to the ground, to find what people want most. If I come across a product or service that could resonate with my customer base, I do whatever it takes to get that idea off the ground. I live for the hustle and can motivate others to achieve big things. I believe that you should always put in the hard work yourself, so I’m not comfortable managing from the sidelines. I believe in rolling up your sleeves and keeping at it till the job’s done.

2. Attentive/detail-oriented
Too many mistakes can be easily avoided, so I make attention to detail my top priority. Too many projects can be undone by a simple spelling error or by not adhering to the brand design guidelines. I believe that any job worth doing is worth doing right the first time, and I have formed the habit of making several passes through what many might consider a “finished product” just to be 100% sure that I haven’t left anything out.

3. Collaborative
I believe that collaboration is vital to the success of any business and to the good of every project and every employee. Certain tasks can and should be performed individually, but no one can operate in a vacuum forever. We need to be able to rely on each other for ideas we might not think of alone, and we can learn to form deeper levels of trust if we are able to work together to achieve our goals.

4. Taking initiative
I am always the first to take initiative. I’ll raise my hand for an extra project or be the first to volunteer for a new team. I don’t see extra work as a burden, but as a way to prove that I am dedicated to the success of the team. Every job is important enough to do well, and I believe that if I have the time and the ability to do it, I absolutely should.

5. Trustworthiness
I consider myself a very trustworthy person. I’ve been entrusted with highly sensitive responsibilities where others depended on me, and I’ve always valued being given that trust. To me, this doesn’t just apply to the duties of my job, but also to the relationships I have with those around me. They trust me to do my part, and I don’t let them down.

6. Positive attitude
I am great at keeping a positive attitude through rain or shine. I hate when people let their work or a complaining customer get them down. If you’re doing the best you can, don’t let someone make you feel bad for it! There’s too much negativity in the world, and if I can be a ray of sunshine in someone’s day, then I feel like I’ve done my part.

7. Disciplined/focused
I don’t believe in waiting till the last minute or letting myself get bogged down by distractions. At the beginning of every project, I draft an outline and break the work into manageable chunks, then map out exactly what I need to do to keep steady progress toward the end goal. I do my very best to stay focused on achieving those milestones, even if it means extra time or energy to make it happen.

8. Integrity
I stand by my principles and that of my company, no matter what. Company policies are in place for a reason, and doing what is right is always of the utmost importance. If that comes into conflict with what a client demands, I will always be respectful and show common courtesy, but I will also be sure to work with my supervisor to find a way around potential conflicts of interest.

9. Dedicated and committed
I believe in loyalty to the project and to the team. I always try to find something about my work that resonates personally with me and stick to it until I’m satisfied that I’ve given my very best effort. My teammates, my manager, and my company deserve nothing less from me. Even when things get hard or a deadline gets moved up, I stay focused and committed to the end goal no matter what.

10. Continuous learning
I am always trying to learn the latest trends and innovations in the field. I know that the technology we use is constantly evolving, and staying on top of the newest products and software will help me provide even better service to my clients. I read up on the latest industry blogs every week and try to attend monthly industry association meetings whenever I can. Plus, I’m genuinely interested in the material, so the extra time involved never feels like work.

11. Creative
I love to think outside the box. Chances are, there’s a better way to do something that someone hasn’t thought of yet. I am excited by new and refreshing ideas and love to keep the conversation going by asking, “What if?” My favorite way to work is to be given a totally blank canvas and to have my boss tell me, “Go make something amazing happen.” That freedom is so energizing!

12. Determined
I never met a wall I couldn’t climb. Setbacks and last-minute changes don’t faze me. I know that there’s always a way to get through a challenge, so I never, ever, ever give up. I believe that if my coworkers and I stick to something, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. I’ll do whatever I can to meet my obligations and will support others in doing their very best too.

13. Empathetic
I’m a team player when it comes to getting work done, but I’m also concerned that everyone is seen and heard throughout the process. Far too often, we just expect everyone to fall in line and get the job done without considering their needs and feelings. I’d rather take some time out of my busy schedule to talk with someone who might be going through a hard time. That is more meaningful to me than checking a box, and is certainly more meaningful to the well-being of the team.

14. Enthusiastic/passionate/driven
I love being the staff cheerleader. I throw myself wholeheartedly into my work and into my teammates. I really enjoy encouraging others as we move forward toward a common goal. I can naturally keep my energy up throughout a long shift or a long-term project and don’t let myself get bogged down when things get tough.

15. Flexibility
I roll with the punches pretty easily and don’t throw my hands up when a plan goes sideways. I think on my feet, always looking into alternatives as needed. If we let ourselves get too rigid, we run the risk of giving up too soon and missing out on new avenues for success. This also means that if a customer is looking for a particular product we don’t have in stock, I’m happy to discuss any alternatives we do have on hand or offer to order them what they want as soon as it becomes available.

16. Honest
My granddad was right: honesty is always the best policy. I believe in telling the truth, no matter the scenario. I’m always careful to remember who I’m speaking to and will consider others’ feelings and what the situation calls for, but lying just to make someone feel better or covering up the truth is never the right call. I’d rather have to duplicate work or take the blame for a failure rather than be seen as lacking professional and personal integrity.

17. Innovative
New ideas excite me, and I’m constantly dreaming up new ways to reach my goals. The status quo is not for me. I make it a point to try to encourage my team to think outside the box – if there’s a way to do something that’s never been done before, I want to be the one to do it. I think we can learn and grow better when we don’t settle for “same old, same old.”

18. Patient
I consider myself a very patient and even-tempered person. It takes a lot to get under my skin. I just feel like most things aren’t worth getting upset over – it’s just wasted energy that doesn’t get anyone any closer to solving their problems. I also don’t mind waiting for the right solution to a problem, and I won’t hound my coworkers every five minutes for their part of our group work. I believe they’ll meet their deadlines and will give them every opportunity to deliver.

19. Respectful
I believe in respecting others above all else. People place too little emphasis on common decency, or we just blow past it in favor of social niceties that seem way too impersonal. Whenever I have an interaction with somebody, I make sure they know that I respect them as an individual and that I will work to meet their needs and desires however I can.

20. Self-control
Working in a high-stress environment means self-control is critical. I have seen several coworkers fall victim to outbursts or breakdowns, but I have been able to keep my temper and emotions in check. I try to keep a cool head no matter what is going on around me, which not only means that I can provide better service to my customers but that I’ll be able to do my job better.

21. Versatile
I pride myself on being able to do lots of things well. I love learning new skills and finding ways to apply them in my own life, especially in the workplace. There’s always room for us to grow and better ourselves. Plus, keeping myself open to new experiences can help me do my job better and could open the door to new opportunities. Any chance I get to attend a professional development session, I love joining those groups and learning new skills – who knows, I might even find something I really love to do!

22. Leadership
If my team needs a leader, I’m always ready to step up. I don’t think it’s right to throw my authority in someone’s face, but I think it takes a strong leader to help others succeed and to accomplish our collective goals, and I love being the one to help everyone do just that. I can quickly assess the strengths of my teammates and guide everyone to do their part and get the job done.

23. Seeing the big picture/strategic thinker
I love getting into the details of a project, but I never lose sight of the bigger picture. I make a point at various times throughout a project to take a step back and take a “30,000 foot view” to see how all the pieces interact with each other. I make sure to look ahead and make sure that work on one phase won’t negatively impact work on another future phase. This helps me make sure that the overall finished product receives just as much attention as each individual element.

24. Not bogged down by the little things
It’s inevitable that issues are going to come up during any project, but I don’t let little setbacks get me down. I don’t ignore them by any means, but rather than let those things paralyze me, I instead think about how we can resolve them. I have had coworkers come to me on multiple occasions with problems and ask for my help in finding alternative solutions. I’m always happy to help someone arrive at a good resolution.

25. Good memory/quick thinker
This position needs someone who can think quickly on their feet, and who can easily remember little details at a moment’s notice. I take time after each customer interaction to record key details from each conversation, such as their last purchase or something they mentioned about their family. Then, when I interact with them again, I can show my interest in their lives beyond just the sale. This helps me build a better rapport with my clients, and also helps me better understand their needs by thinking about the whole person and not just their wallet.

Example Answers: “What are your weaknesses?”

1. Extremely extroverted
I consider myself an extroverted person, which means that sometimes I may put off work in favor of interacting with others. It’s not that I actively avoid doing my job. I just prefer to work alongside other people rather than by myself. Whenever possible, I try to make sure I’m part of group projects instead of only working alone. When I do need to work alone, being in a quiet office wouldn’t be my first pick – I may try to find a communal area and work there since just hearing the buzz of other conversations can help me focus.

2. Too sensitive
I have a tendency to take things too personally and be too sensitive to criticism. Whenever someone critiques my work, even if the feedback is constructive and well-intentioned, I can sometimes feel like they are judging me as a person. I have learned to keep this in check, forcing myself to take notes after each review or feedback session to really write down and remind myself what specific aspects they mentioned, rather than assume they disliked me in general. I remind myself that criticism is actually a gift, as it will give me the information I need to get better at what I do.

3. Presentation skills
I’d be lying if I said I haven’t choked in front of others. I strongly dislike giving presentations and avoid them wherever possible. I do my best to prepare others to present on my behalf, since I usually find myself partnered with someone who doesn’t mind being in the front of a meeting. When I do need to present, I try to take as much time as possible before the meeting to review my material multiple times, try to think of every possible question my managers could ask me, and focus on delivering my material quickly and accurately.

4. Disorganized
I can be a little disorganized. My planner and calendar are a mess, with post-its all over my monitor and notes hastily scribbled in the margins. For the most part, I know where everything is, but I know that if I were to hand over my work binder to someone else, they wouldn’t be able to find anything. However, I am in the process of researching various organization apps and am coming up with a solid plan to fix this. I would also be happy to use any software the company has that would help me translate my sticky note collection into a more methodical process.

5. Overly critical of myself
I take myself too seriously and am afraid that any kind of mistake will make my bosses upset with me. I think it’s a good thing to focus on attention to detail, but sometimes I can check things too many times or fall victim to “analysis paralysis.” I’ve tried to build reference sheets so I can physically check off what I’ve reviewed to try to avoid going back over the same thing multiple times.

6. Perfectionism
Most people think being a perfectionist is a good thing, but I’ve been told by other managers that I’m almost too good at it. I’ve almost missed deadlines because I wanted everything to be precisely perfect, which has made my bosses nervous. I’ve also taken work that others have submitted and checked their work for errors, which is really not what teammates should be doing.

7. Shy/too introverted
I can be pretty withdrawn in the middle of a project. It’s not that I dislike or don’t get along with other people; I’d just rather be left alone to do my work in peace. I think better in a quiet space, and having too many ideas bouncing around can make me feel flustered or even shake my confidence in my own abilities. When I do group work, I try to find something I can do autonomously if at all possible. I’ve tried to branch out and speak up in group meetings sometimes, if only just to show myself that people won’t dismiss my ideas. Usually, most people like what I have to say, and I need to get better at reminding myself of this fact.

8. Competitive
I can be pretty competitive. If there’s any way I can prove I’m the best at something, I naturally go out for that recognition. I pride myself on my integrity and teamwork skills, so would never ever make another coworker look bad to achieve my goals, but I do sometimes do extra work that I wasn’t assigned just to be seen as a good employee. I’m trying to work on that by seeking extra projects and by making sure that I have a large pipeline of work to keep me really busy.

9. Not skilled at delegating work
I hate to see others do a haphazard job on something I know I could do right the first time, so I tend to do most of a project myself. I know that there are times when I need to delegate, so when I delegate, I also force myself to limit checking in on my teammates when we’re in the middle of a group project. I try very hard to give them an appropriate amount of space to work and not feel micromanaged.

10. Trouble saying “no”/taking on too much responsibility
I have trouble saying “no” when I’m asked to take on extra work, or to do something I don’t feel like I’d be very good at. I just don’t want to disappoint my boss and seem like I’m not a team player, so I just go along with whatever people ask me to do most of the time. It’s been rare that I’ve not been able to deliver, but I need to learn to be more transparent about what I have on my plate and let my boss determine whether or not I should still take on the extra work.

11. Too focused on the details
Sometimes, it’s easy for me to miss the forest for the trees. I can get bogged down on little details, focusing on a small part of the project and then having to pull really long hours to get back on track. I’ve tried to get better about time management and giving myself enough time to do the “deep dive” on key parts of a project so I don’t lose sight of the overall goal. Once the deadline for one piece is up, I put it away in a folder and force myself to move onto the next thing.

12. Not detail-oriented enough
I am not a perfectionist, and sometimes that can cause problems when precision and attention to detail are important. However, I do try to keep up with a project checklist when working, and I’ve started including “final accuracy check” or “design check” as an item to complete before submitting a project. If I’m doing group work, I will also find someone who is better at tracking the minute details than I am, and ask them to review my work before it is finalized.

13. Can suffer from lack of focus/distraction
I can sometimes get distracted when working on a project. It could be outside conversations with teammates, or even looking into other projects when my current work has a closer deadline. I can think that everything that comes across my desk or my inbox is urgent and requires my immediate attention, and instead postpone some of my priority work later than I should. One way I have tried to mitigate this is to mute my inbox notifications on my laptop; I can still see emails as they occur, but not hearing the sound helps me focus better.

14. Get impatient when projects miss deadlines
I hate being late. I take it personally when others are late with me, and I feel like I’ve let everyone down if work with my name on it shows up past the due date. I try to give people plenty of lead time when asking for their input or their part of the work, but sometimes I can hound them too much or not give them enough of a chance to respond.

15. Need more experience in verbal communication
A lot of times I know how I feel about a project or what I want the finished product to look like, but I can’t quite put it into the right words. I end up being longwinded instead of being precise and succinct. I get especially longwinded when I’m asked to give my opinion on the spot. I’m much better if I can have some time to think about it, write down what I want to say, then send that feedback to my boss.

16. Need more practice sharpening my writing skills
I don’t feel that I am very good at writing reports. I’d much rather give a presentation where I can think on my feet; I’m really good at answering questions on the fly or in a brainstorming session where my ideas can fly free. But putting my thoughts into a more permanent state seems daunting. I end up second-guessing myself and drafting multiple versions. To help with this, I try to work with a colleague who is better at writing than I am, or at least ask someone to read over and give me their thoughts on my draft.

17. Need more experience leading a team
It scares me a bit to think of leading a team. I will always contribute and make sure that I’m helping the team reach our goals or finish the work, but I prefer that my name isn’t the one at the top of the list when the boss asks who was responsible for making it happen. I’m fine when I’m working on something by myself, but for some reason, “leading” a group project seems a lot harder. I think part of it is I don’t feel like I can pull everyone’s strengths together in the best way. I’ve signed up for a training session later this year to work on my leadership skills.

18. Need more experience interpreting data
When I see a report that is data-heavy, I don’t think I am the best at finding the key trends or most important information. Maybe it’s a lack of critical thinking skills on my part, but it’s difficult for me to see a bunch of facts and figures and pull out the few most meaningful ones. I try to work with reports that give an overview with the highlights or automatically generate a few key metrics for me. I also try to ask lots of questions when a client asks me to pull together a report they want so I’m crystal clear on what I’m looking for.

19. Need more experience in giving constructive feedback
Sometimes when I am asked to review the work of others, I can be too blunt and direct. In general, I feel like giving a clear and direct opinion is best, but I’m working on understanding that if people feel hurt, they stop listening and progress will not be made. The last thing I want is for them to feel demoralized or shut down and not hear anything at all. I need to boost their confidence and open their ears by telling them first what they are doing right, and then be sensitive with how I deliver the constructive criticism.

Also, I’m learning that just pointing out what’s wrong isn’t always enough; it’s also important to show how it can be improved so they know how to take my feedback and move forward.

20. Sometimes lack confidence
I feel like maybe I could contribute more, but I’m afraid I’ll mess up and let everyone down. I don’t feel like I’ve had the chance to really build my self-confidence to the point where I can be the first to raise my hand. Maybe I’ve even held myself back because I’m afraid to fail or mess up. My supervisor has had some good conversations with me about it, and she’s agreed to help me by proactively assigning me key projects to show me I can accomplish those kinds of things.

21. Sometimes do not ask for help soon enough
I am infamous for leaving things until the last minute and for biting off more than I can chew. At the start of a project, I assume I can do all the work easily with plenty of time to spare. But inevitably, the work piles up, and I put things off, or I realize that it’s a lot harder than I initially thought, and I procrastinate those portions of the work. When it gets down to the wire, I’m stuck working late or scrambling to get things done.

I very rarely miss a deadline, but I shouldn’t be operating this way. My goal moving forward is to really think about what a project requires and go to my boss as soon as possible to ask for additional help or resources if I think I might slip into that trap again.

22. Need to maintain a better work/life balance
I am a classic workaholic. Everywhere I look, it seems like people are saying everybody needs to hustle more – the podcasts I listen to, the blogs I read, the seminars I attend. I don’t mind work, and I’m glad I can help others, but I leave work every day burned out and unable to enjoy my downtime.

All I can think about is how much work I have waiting for me when I get back in the office. Even when I take a vacation, I can’t fully let down and enjoy myself because I’m focused on where to jump back in when I return. I think I just need to schedule some time to really unplug.

23. Attempting to please everyone
I hate to disappoint anyone or have them think badly about me. Even if it means changing a few habits or giving in to others’ preferences when I’m on a project team with them, I’d rather sacrifice that than have someone think I was the reason people didn’t get along. I also will take on too much work because I don’t want to turn down anyone’s requests. I am working on staying true to myself a little more in a healthy way, and also making sure I am really clear about what my capacity is so that I don’t disappoint anyone.

24. Assuming I know more than I do/not asking enough questions
I have sometimes worked on projects that ended up not being what my manager expected. I made assumptions based on my understanding of the work without understanding the bigger picture, or just didn’t ask enough questions when getting the original project brief. I am working to retrain myself to confirming what I do know, making sure I understand the overall context and background, and asking questions whenever there is doubt or ambiguity.

25. Starting a project without understanding all requirements
Sometimes I have trouble with getting started on a project before I understand all of the details or requirements. For example, if a report needs to be formatted a certain way, or if there are specific design or branding requirements, I might miss those by reading quickly over the general deliverables and details. I certainly don’t mean to ignore those stipulations, but I get excited about starting the work and have caused extra work for myself down the line. I have tried to do better about reviewing requirements thoroughly before getting started on my recent work.

Conclusion

When you are asked to give your strengths and weaknesses, you want to use your answer to explain why you would be fantastic in the job. You are using your answer  – even to your weakness – to show that you are the right choice for this particular job. Your weakness is not a fatal flaw. It is actually something that is mostly a strength, but that you need to do a little work on.

Give at least one concrete example and use this question as an opportunity to show what kind of employee you can be. The prospective employer will want to judge your qualifications against the requirements of the position, but they are also thinking about how you present yourself, how you communicate with others, and even how you are able to think on your feet.

Before you go in for your next interview, take the time to review some of these examples, and also take time to reflect on what you can talk about as your own strengths and weaknesses. You need to have an open and honest answer ready that will complement the other reasons you feel you are the ideal candidate. Now go and get that job offer!

If you’re looking for a list of example work strengths and weaknesses, then this article is for you. I’m going to give you the best strengths and weaknesses for job interviews, and word-for-word example interview answers so you can see what a great response looks like.

Let’s get started…

List of Strengths for Job Interviews

If you’re asked about your top strengths in a job interview, you can share work-related skills, such as “project management,” as well as soft skills and personality traits like “communication skills” or “public speaking.”

If you’re asked for your single greatest strength, I recommend you make sure to name a skill that relates to the job description of the position you’re interviewing for. And if you’re asked for a list of strengths, then make sure that the first strength you mention relates to the job.

Some employers will appreciate soft skills like “being a team player” but every employer appreciates hard skills that relate to their job. So the best way to impress the hiring manager when they ask an interview question about your strengths is to show that you’ll be able to step into this job and be successful.

The following are examples of strengths at work:

• Hard skills like “Ruby on Rails development,” “Email marketing strategy,” or “Data Analysis in Excel”
• Communication skills
• Public speaking
• Being detail oriented
• Leadership skills
• Project management
• Delegating
• Hiring
• Training/mentoring
• Writing skills
• Problem-solving
• Troubleshooting
• Being a team player
• Critical thinking skills
• Self-criticism/analysis and using this to improve in your work
• Relating to people
• Strong work ethic/being hardworking
• Never missing a deadline
• Being an empathetic person
• Being enthusiastic about your work

Remember to start with job-related skills any time you’re asked interview questions about your greatest strengths.

Then, you can name soft skills from the list above, too. But start with something that shows the employer you can step into their job and hit the ground running.

Note that some of the above skills could be seen as hard or soft skills, depending on the job. For example, “leadership skills” is a good example answer if you’re interviewing for a manager role. However, if you’re interviewing for an entry-level position and simply feel you have strong leadership through your academic experience, this isn’t considered a hard skill and doesn’t relate to the job you’re discussing.

It could still be a valuable strength to mention in your job interviews! But not as the first item you mention. For the first point you make, refer to the job description and choose one or more strengths that show how you’ll help this employer.

Read here for full example answers to “What is your greatest strength?”

Example List of Weaknesses for Job Interviews

There’s one critical rule to follow when sharing weaknesses in an interview… and most websites won’t tell you this. When you’re asked about your greatest weaknesses, you only want to name hard skills, not soft skills. It sounds so much better to say, “I’m not great in Excel yet, though it’s something I’m working to improve on,” versus saying, “My communication skills are lacking” or “My weakness is being a team player.”

The first example answer above is a hard skill (Excel). The other two are soft skills and sound quite bad if you mention them as a weakness. So always name a hard skill that you are either currently working to improve or open to improving, and always name a skill that isn’t critical for the job you’re applying for. Why is this a “rule” when answering an interview question about weaknesses?

Employers may worry that you’ll never fix a personality trait or soft skill, whereas they know you can brush up on a work-related weakness such as Excel. If you say you struggle when it comes to being detail oriented, they’re going to worry that this is going to impact EVERY area of your work. They’ll start wondering if you’ll make mistakes everywhere. And they’ll think you may not be able to improve on this.

This is why you share a work skill for your weaknesses.

The following are good example answers of weaknesses in a job interview:

• A piece of software you’re just beginning to learn or aren’t yet familiar with
• A certain programming language that you’re learning but not yet great at
• A sales or marketing skill like cold calling (as long as it’s not a core duty in the job you’re discussing)
• A leadership skill like training, mentoring, hiring
• A communication skill like giving presentations, leading meetings, etc.

All of these example answers above are skill-based. That’s the key. Don’t ever name a personality trait, such as, “I struggle to be detail oriented” when you’re asked about strengths and weaknesses.

Read here for full answers to “What is your greatest weakness?”

Example Answers: 3 Strengths and 3 Weaknesses

Sometimes, the interviewer will ask you to name three strengths and three weaknesses. So let’s pull together everything we’ve looked at above in terms of job strengths and weaknesses and run through a couple of full example interview answers now.

Example Answer 1:

My greatest strength is listening and understanding our clients’ needs, and then finding solutions to their concerns. This has helped me excel in both customer service and sales. I have some of my latest sales accomplishments listed on my resume and am happy to go into detail if you want. My other strengths are working as part of a team and working effectively with people of all personalities.

In terms of weaknesses, I’m working on getting better at delivering presentations to large groups. In my past sales experience, I’ve typically presented to one or two people at a company, but not larger teams. So this is something I’m practicing and learning in my professional life, but it isn’t yet a top strength.

Example Answer 2:

Among my work-related skills, I’d say I’m strongest in client account management, general organizational skills, and my ability to never miss a deadline, despite managing the second highest number of accounts among all account managers in my company. In terms of weaknesses, I’m looking to improve on project leadership and my ability to run meetings, which are tasks that are newer to me, but are also areas I’m interested in developing into strengths.

Example Answer 3:

My top strengths are my writing and editing skills, since I do both frequently in my work. I’m also strong in problem-solving. My previous managers have often given me tough problems that needed solving since they knew I could work through the challenge. My greatest weakness may be public speaking, since I haven’t been asked to do much of that in a formal setting. It’s among the skills I’m hoping to develop in my future work, though. I just haven’t had a chance or need to do so yet.

Pay attention to the phrasing of the greatest weakness in that last sample answer above (Example Answer 3). That’s exactly how to present your weaknesses in a job interview. To recap, you’re naming specific skills, not personality traits, and you’re naming a skill that isn’t vital to the work you’ll be performing immediately in this next job. Finally, you’re showing a positive attitude and interest or at least willingness to turn that weakness into a strength in the future.

This is demonstrated in the answer above in the final few sentences:

It’s among the skills I’m hoping to develop in my future work, though. I just haven’t had a chance or need to do so yet.

Also, you may have noticed that the example interview answers above don’t name three distinct weaknesses. That’s okay. Sharing three weaknesses in a job interview is going to create a pretty long, complex answer and just bring more negatives to the interviewer’s attention. So if the employer asks, “What are three strengths and three weaknesses?” it’s okay to share a list of three strengths and then just one or two weaknesses. If the hiring manager wants more weaknesses, they can certainly ask for more.

Mention What You’re Doing to Improve Your Weaknesses

One way to end your answer to a question about weaknesses is to discuss how you’re working on getting better in that area. You’ll see this in the sample answers above.

Consider this phrase from Example Answer 1 above:

In terms of weaknesses, I’m working on getting better at delivering presentations to large groups…

See how you’re naming a weakness but then immediately talking about how you’re working on turning it into a strength? This shows ambition and confidence and makes it sound like it’s not even a weakness… more of an area that could use improvement and that you’ll soon be great at. So when you’re asked a question about weaknesses, always look for a way to let the hiring manager know that you’re improving in that area.

Ask a Question About Their Team After You Answer

After you answer a question in the interview, it’s a great idea to ask a question directed at the interviewer. This will set you apart from other candidates, since most candidates ask very few questions overall, and save their questions for the end of the interview.

So after giving an answer to any question above, consider ending your response by asking:

“What do you feel are the team’s strengths and weaknesses right now?”

Also consider asking:

“What is something that you’re hoping a new person can bring to the team?”

Any time you can ask a thoughtful question like this, you’ll be more memorable and make yourself stand out from other job seekers. And the answer you receive will help you know what the company wants so you can give better answers to future questions.

Read here for more unique questions to ask an interviewer.

4 Mistakes to Avoid When Sharing Strengths and Weaknesses

There are a couple of mistakes to avoid and rules to follow when naming strengths or weaknesses in job interviews.

Don’t give an answer that is longer than 60 seconds.

You don’t need to share a list of 10 strengths and talk for four minutes when the interviewer asks about your greatest strengths. In fact, it’s often more impressive to just share one or two top strengths, especially those that relate to the job you’re discussing. If you try to sound like you’re great at everything, you’ll sound like you’re great at nothing. So pick and choose what they share.

This goes for weaknesses, too.

Don’t mention every weakness you can think of.

Pick one or two weaknesses that won’t scare the interviewer into thinking that you won’t be able to perform the work. Name those, and then stop. Be strategic in your answer. If the interviewer asks for your greatest weakness, you don’t need to share your absolute top weakness. Instead, think about multiple weaknesses and hand-pick the one that won’t hurt you in this job.

Review the examples of weaknesses from earlier in the article for more ideas. Or, prior to the job interview, list your top 10 weaknesses in your professional life and then go through that list to decide which one to share if you’re asked.

This exercise will help you avoid the one other big interview mistake when you’re asked about weaknesses:

Don’t interview without preparing and practicing your answers ahead of time.

You don’t want to have to decide which weakness to share at the last minute, with the interviewer staring you down. So always take time to plan and practice before your interview: What strengths and weaknesses will you name in your answers, and what examples will you give to explain those choices?

Know what you’ll say if you’re asked for:

• Your greatest strength and/or greatest weakness
• Your two to three strengths and/or weaknesses

That brings me to my final mistake:

Don’t answer without tailoring your response to the company’s needs.

Before the interview even begins, and before you share your strengths and weaknesses, always review your resume and the job description to make the best decision for this particular job interview. The job description tells you exactly what employers want, so you don’t need to guess. You can look through their whole job posting and know what they’re looking for before your interview even starts.

Always consider this before you decide which words you’re going to use to describe yourself in the interview.

Conclusion: The Best Strengths and Weaknesses to Discuss in Interviews

If you read the tips above, you know what to say (and not say) in an interview for greatest weaknesses and strengths. It’s good to be aware of your strengths and it’s not bragging to share when asked. So be ready! And some honest self-criticism and the ability to identify at least one weakness is also important in your interviews.

Fortunately, if you read the tips and example lists of strengths/weaknesses above, you’re ready to answer all types of questions about work strengths and weaknesses so you can land a better job.

16 Strengths and Weaknesses Examples – Job Interview List

When you are asked about your strengths and weaknesses in a job interview, it is important to have concrete examples to back up your claims. Below you will find examples, lists and a complete guide how to blow your interview out of the water!

Example responses to “What are your strengths?”

These examples can give you an idea of the type of structured response. They demonstrate that you are confident of this strength and that you will use it to succeed in this specific role.

1. I am very detail-oriented and have a strong ability to spot errors. This attention to detail ensures that any work I produce is of the highest quality.
2. I am an excellent communicator and have no trouble conveying ideas or giving presentations. My communication skills are one of my strongest assets.
3. I work well under pressure and am able to meet deadlines even when there is a lot of work to be done. This ability to stay calm under pressure is one of my greatest strengths.
4. I have a strong sense of organization and can quickly priorities tasks. This helps me to get the most important work done first and ensures that deadlines are always met.
5. I am very flexible and adaptable to change. I am able to rapidly learn new skills and adapt to new situations. This makes me an ideal candidate for a role that requires frequent changes or a high degree of flexibility.
6. I have a strong customer service focus and always put the needs of the customer first. This ensures that they are happy with the product or service they receive.
7. I am very proactive and always take initiative to get things done. This means that I am always one step ahead, which is invaluable.
8. I have a strong creative streak and enjoy coming up with new ideas and solutions. This creativity is one of my biggest strengths and has helped me succeed in many projects.

Example responses to “What are your weaknesses?”

When asked about your weaknesses, it is important to be honest and upfront. However, you should also focus on qualities that could be seen as strengths in the specific role you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires a lot of multitasking, then a weakness such as “I sometimes have trouble focusing on more than one task at a time” could actually be seen as a strength.

1. I sometimes have trouble speaking up in groups and can come across as shy. However, this also means that I am a good listener and I take time to understand other people’s points of view.
2. I can be a bit of a perfectionist and tend to spend too much time on small details. However, this attention to detail ensures that any work I produce is of the highest quality.
3. I have trouble saying no when people ask for help, even if I am already stretched thin. This can sometimes lead to me taking on too much work. However, it also means that I am always willing to help out others and pitch in when needed.
4. I can get overwhelmed by large projects or tasks that seem impossible at first. However, I have learned how to break these down into smaller pieces so that I can better focus on each individual task.
5. I have a tendency to procrastinate when I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed. However, I have developed strategies to overcome this, such as setting smaller deadlines for myself or working in short bursts.
6. I can be competitive and sometimes need to be the best at everything I do. However, this drive to succeed has helped me achieve many of my goals.
7. I can be stubborn and set in my ways. However, this also means that I am very determined and passionate about things that are important to me.
8. I have a hard time delegating tasks to others, even though I know it is sometimes necessary. However, this means that I am usually the one who takes on responsibility and ensures that tasks are completed.

These strengths and weaknesses examples should give you an idea of the types of qualities you can mention in your job interview. Remember to focus on qualities that would be seen as strengths in the specific role you are applying for. And always back up your claims with concrete examples.

List of Job Interview Example Questions

Here are a few example questions for how someone in an interview may ask you about your strengths and weaknesses.

1. Can you list a few of your strengths?
2. What would you say are your best qualities?
3. What do you think makes you stand out from the other candidates?
4. Can you give me an example of a time when you used one of your strengths to succeed in a project?
5. What are some areas you would like to improve on?
6. Is there anything you feel you need to work on?
7. Can you give me an example of a time when you faced a challenge and had to overcome it?
8. Can you think of any areas where you could use some development?
9. What do you believe your weaknesses are?
10. Is there anything you’re not as confident in?
11. What would you say your biggest strength is?
12. And your biggest weakness?
13. Do you have any blind spots?
14. Are there any areas you need help in?
15. Where do you feel like you could improve?
16. What do you think you could do better?

How to talk about your strengths

When you are asked about your strengths, it is important to focus on those that are relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires excellent communication skills, you might want to highlight your ability to build relationships or lead teams.

Some common strengths that can be relevant in most workplaces include:

• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Creativity
• Time management skills
• Leadership skills
• Interpersonal skills

Choose strengths that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

• Be honest
• Focus on your positive qualities
• Give specific examples of how you have used your strengths in the past

Some examples of strengths you could mention in a job interview include:

• Being a good communicator
• Being able to work well under pressure
• Being highly organized
• Having strong problem solving skills

How to talk about your weaknesses:

It is also important to have examples of weaknesses that will not impact your ability to do the job. For example, if you are applying for a customer service role, you might not want to highlight a weakness such as “I sometimes have trouble staying calm when dealing with difficult customers.”

Some common weaknesses that can be relevant in most workplaces include:

• Being shy or introverted
• Having trouble speaking up in groups
• Being a perfectionist

Taking on too much work

Getting overwhelmed by large projects

• Having difficulty delegating tasks to others

Choose weaknesses that will not impact your ability to do the job.

• Be honest
• Try to focus on qualities that could be seen as strengths in the specific role you are applying for
• Give specific examples of how you have worked on overcoming your weaknesses in the past.

List of Strengths and Weaknesses with examples for job interview success

Strengths:

1. I am very organized and can always keep track of multiple tasks at once. This strength has helped me excel in customer service positions.
2. I am able to stay calm under pressure and handle difficult situations with ease. This strength has come in handy in my previous roles as a server and a retail associate.
3. I have a great memory and can remember even the smallest details. This strength has helped me succeed in my role as an administrative assistant.
4. I am very creative and have a knack for coming up with innovative solutions to problems. This strength has helped me in my roles as a marketing assistant and a graphic designer.
5. I am an excellent communicator and can always find the right words to say in any situation. This strength has come in handy in my previous roles as a customer service representative and a sales associate.
6. I have a strong work ethic and am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done. This strength has helped me succeed in previous roles as an administrative assistant and a customer service representative.
7. I have excellent communication skills and am able to effectively communicate with people of all levels. This strength has helped me in my role as a sales associate.
8. I am very organized and always make sure that everything is in its place. This strength has been beneficial in my previous roles as an administrative assistant and a customer service representative.
9. I have a high level of attention to detail and always make sure that everything is done correctly the first time around.
10. I am very persuasive and can usually convince people to see things my way. This strength has helped me succeed in my role as a sales associate.
11. I am a people person and enjoy interacting with others on a daily basis. This strength has come in handy in my previous roles as a customer service representative and a server.
12. I am always willing to lend a helping hand and am always eager to pitch in when needed. This strength has helped me succeed in my previous roles as an administrative assistant and a customer service representative.
13. I have a positive attitude and always try to see the best in every situation. This strength has come in handy in my previous roles as a server and a retail associate.
14. I am very detail-oriented and always make sure that everything is done correctly the first time around. This strength has helped me succeed in my role as an administrative assistant.

Weaknesses:

1. I can be indecisive at times and have trouble making decisions when presented with multiple options. This weakness has been an issue for me in my role as a sales associate.
2. I can be a bit shy when meeting new people and it takes me a while to warm up to others. This weakness has been an issue for me in my previous roles as a customer service representative and a server.
3. I can be forgetful at times and have trouble remembering details if I am not given enough time to process them. This weakness has been an issue for me in my role as an administrative assistant.
4. I can be stubborn at times and have trouble changing my mind once I have made up my mind about something. This weakness has been an issue for me in my previous roles as a marketing assistant and a graphic designer.
5. I can be impatient at times and have trouble dealing with slow people or tasks. This weakness has been an issue for me in my previous roles as a customer service representative and a sales associate.
6. I can be messy at times and have trouble keeping things organized. This weakness has been an issue for me in my previous roles as an administrative assistant and a customer service representative.
7. I can be overly critical at times and have trouble seeing the good in people or situations. This weakness has been an issue for me in my previous roles as a marketing assistant and a graphic designer.
8. I can be impatient at times and have trouble dealing with frustrating people or tasks. This weakness has been an issue for me in my role as a customer service representative.
9. I sometimes have trouble saying no to people, even when I know I should. This weakness can sometimes lead to me being overwhelmed with too many tasks.
10. I can be a bit shy when meeting new people, but I usually warm up to them after a few minutes. This weakness hasn’t been too much of hindrance in my previous roles.
11. I tend to get nervous when giving presentations, but I have been working on conquering this fear. This weakness has not been a major issue in my previous roles.
12. I can be a bit of a perfectionist and have trouble letting go of things that are not perfect. This weakness has occasionally caused me to miss deadlines.
13. I sometimes have trouble dealing with criticism, but I am working on learning to take it constructively. This weakness has not been a major issue in my previous roles.

4 Color Personality Test – Strengths and Weaknesses Examples

The 4 color personality test will help you determine what personality type you are. Knowing this will help answer the what are your strengths and weaknesses job interview question.

When interviewers ask what your strengths and weaknesses are, they are really trying to determine if you are a good fit for the job. To answer this question effectively, you need to have a good understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses. The best way to do this is to take a personality test like the 4 color personality test.

Once you know your personality type, you can better understand what kinds of strengths and weaknesses you have. Here are some examples of strengths and weaknesses that might be relevant to different types of jobs:

Job Type: Sales

Strengths: Persuasive, outgoing, confident

Weaknesses: May come across as pushy, may not listen to customers’ needs

Job Type: Customer Service

Strengths: patient, good listener, helpful

Weaknesses: may get taken advantage of, may get frazzled easily

Job Type: Marketing

Strengths: creative, out-of-the-box thinker, good at pitching ideas

Weaknesses: may be too much of a perfectionist, may have trouble with criticism

Job Type: Administrative

Strengths: Organized, detail-oriented, efficient

Weaknesses: May be too rigid in their thinking, may have trouble delegating tasks

As you can see, different jobs will require different strengths and weaknesses. Knowing your own personality type will help you to identify which strengths and weaknesses are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

When interviewers ask about your strengths and weaknesses, they are not looking for a list of every single strength and weakness you have. Instead, they are looking for a few specific examples that illustrate whether or not you have the right strengths for the job. Try to identify two or three of your most relevant strengths and weaknesses and be prepared to give examples of each.

As you can see, your strengths and weaknesses will vary depending on the type of job you are applying for. Knowing your personality type will help you to better understand what kinds of strengths and weaknesses you have so that you can give the interviewer an honest and accurate answer to the question.

Once you know your personality type and your corresponding strengths and weaknesses, you can use this information to answer the what are your strengths and weaknesses job interview question in a way that will impress the interviewer.

4 color personality types

Below are the 4 color personality types: Red, Blue, Green and Yellow.

Red Personality Type

The Red personality type is a dynamic, ambitious individual. He or she has objectives in life that most people can’t even fathom. Because his or her goals are so broad, it appears to be difficult to achieve them. Reds do not give up as easily as other personalities and keep pursuing their objectives with more vigor. Their unwavering confidence in their capacity to master any difficulty if they put their efforts toward it — if they just apply themselves conscientiously.

Learn More Here about Red Personalities

Yellow Personality Type

People with a Yellow personality type are known for their cheerfulness and hope. They have an optimistic outlook on life, seeing the glass as half full. Yellows can find the silver lining in every storm and maintain a positive attitude even in gloomy situations. They enjoy being around others and are sociable creatures.

Green Personality Type

A Green personality type is a peaceful, calm person. He is usually very introspective and interested in understanding himself and others. Greens are typically very intuitive and have a strong sense of empathy. They’re generally great listeners who may be quite perceptive. Because they are good listeners, greens are frequently the ones people go to for advice.

Blue Personality Type

Someone with a blue personality is highly sensitive, always perceiving other people’s feelings. He is also typically very kind and compassionate. Another trait of blues is that they are great listeners; usually, because they do not judge others (which can make it hard for them to make decisions). Although passive, Blues know how to stand up for themselves when needed be.

Personality Websites Examples

16personalities.com – Website that provides in-depth analysis of all personality types

At 16 Personalities you will find in-depth information on all the personality types as well as a free personality test.

4colorpersonalitytest.com – A website with examples of color personality types

At 4 color personality test you will find a list of color personalities along with a compilation of other websites you can take different personality tests to help define yourself.

myersbriggs.org – Website that provides in-depth information about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a well-known and respected personality assessment. At myersbriggs.org you can find detailed information about the MBTI, take a free personality assessment, and learn more about your specific personality type.

personalityhacker.com – Website that provides articles, tests, and resources related to personality types.

humanmetrics.com – Website that provides a free personality test based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

typefinder.com – Website that allows you to take a test to find out your personality type

When interviewers ask about your strengths and weaknesses, they are not looking for a list of every single strength and weakness you have. Instead, they are looking for a few specific examples that illustrate whether or not you have the right strengths for the job. Try to identify two or three of your most relevant strengths and weaknesses and be prepared to give examples of each.As you can see, your strengths and weaknesses will vary depending on the type of job you are applying for. Knowing your personality type will help you to better understand what kinds of strengths and weaknesses you have so that you can give the interviewer an honest and accurate answer to the question

In conclusion, when interviewers ask about your strengths and weaknesses, they are not looking for a complete list of everything you have to offer. Instead, focus on two or three of your most relevant strengths and weaknesses and be prepared to give examples of each. Use the information about your personality type to help you better understand what kinds of strengths and weaknesses you have so that you can give the interviewer an honest and accurate answer to the question.

alex2022-08-19T15:54:40+00:00

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

About the Author: alex

Alex is the creator of My Strengths and Weaknesses. He is passionate about helping others create a career around the life they deserve.

Related Posts