Interview Tips - "What is your greatest weakness?"

[EjenAmy]

DUDEEEEEEEEEE> you ARE GENIUS!!!!

[alberto0071]

this is new...well done

[cwoodsseeley]

this was great!!!!

[iambabebarbie]

Hi Brian. ur AWESOME! ur videos have provided me great insights on answering the difficult questions! I used to struggle a lot on interviews but your videos have got me TWO OFFERS!!!!! both of them r renowned PR firms and great salary increment n job title!! Please continue to produce these inspiring videos!! LOVE IT! !

[hennafied]

wow, so helpful. My weakness is dealing with mundane and repetitive tasks...I didn't realise until now that I overcome this by varying my workload.

[summerraen]

Wow this is actually fantastic advice...I've not yet encountered this question in any interviews but I ALWAYS hear about it and can never imagine what I would say! This is a perfect response, I especially like the example of whipping out direct proof (the pocket planner) to show them how you're working on it! Great tip :)

[Jreythe2nd]

Hey Brian. I just turned 18 and I'm seeking my first job.. And i haven't been in an interview yet. So kind of nervous and scared...

I was wondering if you can give me some tips.. What to wear. How long does the answer have to be..

[BrianKrueger]

@Jreythe2nd - there are 60+ other videos on my channel covering topics such as what to wear, how long your answer should be and a variety of other topics. They are all free to watch, so please feel free to watch any and all.

[kangeles27]

@BrianKrueger, thanks and I appreciate the tip! I had an interview today and the interviewer was impressed, she smiled and said my answer was clever :)

[kangeles27]

Hello Brian, I want to share my weakness and I would like to know your thoughts about it. My weakness is that I tend to forget things alot and its not like I'm careless, I just feel like I have such bad memory. So as a solutuon, what I do now is that I right everything down (especially if its important), I make lists and I use a planner to keep track of everything. Sticky notes are my best friend now, I use them for anything that will help me remember. This solution became very helpful to me

[BrianKrueger]

@kangeles27 - good answer, although I would leave out the "I just feel like I have such bad memory" part. A memory is something that can be developed, which is what you are doing by taking action to both develop and cover for the weakness. Good answer, especially if you can show evidence of this in the interview (pull out your planner, show your sticky notes, make special note of one that you are doing in the next day or so, etc.)

[mychocochip]

I'm trying to explain my bad test score and relate to a weakness and my solutions. Any suggestions on how to tackle this problem?

[BrianKrueger]

@mychocochip the bad test score isn't a weakness, per se, but it can be the result of any of a variety of weaknesses. For example, poor preparation for the test or poor test taking methods.You may have known all of the material, but spent a large amount of time solving one problem and therefore did not finish the rest of the test. You could explain that you have since changed your test taking method and now skip the difficult questions, complete the rest of the test first, then come back.

[doli700]

Brian can I say , I used to be a little dissapointed when my boss pick on one mistake I did when I have done a lot of things that I should be praised of. But now instead of taking that as a negative, I am making it as a challenge to work hard and overcome the situation.

[BrianKrueger]

@doli700 - your answer is OK, not great. Using the same example, a better answer would be: "But now I am taking this type of feedback as a positive opportunity to improve in an additional area. I realize that the role of my boss is to help me get better and by pointing out areas where I can improve, it helps me to become better overall. Yes, I do still like getting positive feedback as well, and I am balancing both positive and negative feedback to become better."

[doli700]

@BrianKrueger - Thank you so much for your advised. I am watching all your tips. So many good advices.

[xWithEyesLikeSunsets]

I have an interview tomorrow and if they ask this question I will say "well, one of my weaknesses is probably that I'm shy at first when I meet new co-workers and start learning how to do the job, but after that I get right into working as a team"

[ResidentEvil7]

Would this be considered a good weakness of mine? "I tend to overwork myself and push myself to the limit to get projects done and done on time."

[BrianKrueger]

@ResidentEvil7 no, that's just another variation on the "I work too much..." answer. So if that is a weakness, is the solution to NOT push yourself and therefore not get projects done and done on time? As you can see, you can dig yourself into a hole with that answer that any practiced behavioral interviewer will bury you with if you attempt to use it.

[manickgs1]

good one

[bapiraju09]

Brian, what you have said about deceiving is true but the problem is I cant think of any weaknesses :( and i come up with something lame like last time i was asked this question i said i am a bit fat and when people talk about it I feel bad. I feel thats the worst answer ever because it has nothing to do with the interview

[BrianKrueger]

@bapiraju09 - you're right, that is a worse answer. But you are wrong if you think you don't have any weaknesses. If you are truly unable to come up with a current weakness, then talk about a weakness that you have recently overcome.

[kinoni86]

@bapiraju09 I agree, its sometimes hard to see it urself. Try to talk to some of ur colleuges or friends and ask them if they can help u out. Good luck!

[mynameisjustus]

Brian, how about talking about a weakness that I have already overcomed? Will I give an impression that I'm avoiding answering the question?

[BrianKrueger]

@mynameisjustus - you do that without avoiding the question, since with most weaknesses, you haven't fully overcome, you are simply in the process of continuing to overcome the weakness. The weakness is inherent, your work in overcoming it is ongoing. That would be the approach.

[StunnedMoose]

this is a great video! use it!

[lindafeehily91]

i watched your videos before my university admission interview .i passed the interview! thanks a lot!!

[jambozo7777]

can i say "at this point im my carreer i have not had the oppotunity to learn that skill, but iam a very trainable person."

[BrianKrueger]

@jambozo7777 - yes, just follow up that statement with an example of when you have been trained in a skill and how quickly you came up to speed.

[TrueWeirdGirl]

Can I say that I do am young and do not have much work experience, but I am a fast and motivated learner?

(or something like that as my weakness?)

[BrianKrueger]

@TrueWeirdGirl - you can, but that's technically not a weakness, it's a state of being. Without getting metaphysical, the "weakness" you are stating is simply where you are at in your career, not a true weakness. So it's not really something you are working on, except to gain experience. But the answer is OK if you back it up with examples of how you are a fast and motivated learner.

[PinoyPlaylist]

For the shy and timid one can i say... "In the past i have been known to be shy and timid and the quiet one,, but its really something i have been trying to work at, and i have noticed huge improvments in my social skills and im alot less shy now"

Would this be good to say for my interview or should i phrase it different?

[BrianKrueger]

@PinoyPlaylist - fine as an initial response, but then give an example.

[PinoyPlaylist]

@BrianKrueger Couldn't i just say being here right now is a big step for me in being shy and confident?

[BrianKrueger]

@PinoyPlaylist - you certainly could, it just wouldn't be the best response. Think about it from the point of view of an employer--if you're struggling just to be there for the job interview, what does that indicate behaviorally for you as a potential employee?

[PinoyPlaylist]

@BrianKrueger Wooh! I got the job man... thanks i honestly watched all your vids before the interview it really helped... The guy interviewing me was so cool lol,,, I think i overprepared though for a Tim Hortons interview xD

[PoohLET00000]

Hi i have an interview next week ^_^ is it ok if i say my weakness is "i'm shy and timid"?

[BrianKrueger]

@PoohLET00000 - yes, but only if: 1) you believe this is a weakness that you want to change; and 2) you can give behavioral evidence that you are working on correcting this weakness (and making progress)

[PinoyPlaylist]

@PoohLET00000 i was wondering the same thing!!! i have an interview tomorrow and i plan on saying im shy and timid cuzz i am.. anyways its my first interview ever at tim hortons lol.........

[usergroupX]

My weakness is that I cannot say no. This has gotten me into many problems when all i wanted to do was to make everyone happy. Co-workers realizing that would unload their work on me. It just made my previous position more stressful than it should have been.

[triplet123c]

@usergroupX I have to say I really love your remark because this falls very true for me. I didn't know how to explain it. I just wanted to thank you very much.

[pawanthecarnivore]

YOU ARE WONDERFUL, HEY, its my interview for merchant navy college tomorrow, can you please help me, i wanna know what can be my weak points, i mean i know all my good points that can help me out for getting selected but i m able to know what can be the my weak points regarding navy, i need your help right now, please brian help me,

[BrianKrueger]

@pawanthecarnivore - you don't have to select weak points specifically regarding navy, just pick weak points of which you are aware and actively working to improve.

[eisellona]

your tips are very helpful.. thanks

[jobertmaranan]

brian. i need some tips on how to answer "what is your greatest strength" please answer this if you have a time or post some video of it.. by the way your other videos help me a lot..

[melissah1216]

this is great i listened to your videos before my recent interview and i got the internship..thanks

[preshy8851]

I have an interview tomorrow and I wanted to know if I say my greatest weakness is that "I don't like leaving work undone. When It's time for everyone to leave I'm always fixing things on my way out the store" would that be considered a weakness?

[BrianKrueger]

That's just a variation on the "I work too much..." faked weakness. Why would not leaving work undone be a weakness? That's not a weakness, it's a strength. A good interviewer would see past this and push you for a true weakness. And if I asked you what you are doing to overcome that weakness, what would you say? Leave more work undone? You get the point. Use a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome the weakness. Don't fake it.

[mruniversity08]

yah ever happend to me the best part i told them im perfectionist ...

[SpaceMel00]

Is being too loud a weakness? Been confronted on it and told to use the phone/e-mail to communicate more in the office. It's a painful truth, which I am currently working on.

[goldenchild948]

Its a great video! tomorrow is my interview and i feel much better after listening to your advices. Thanks a lot!

[J0RDSKI]

my interview tomorrow aswell, i just hope these videos will help me get the job.

[joemols]

ty sir...very helpful

[aahn6]

If I state my weakness as being too trusting, is that stating a strength in a sense?

Because I am so trusting I often expect others to give their all in what they do as I would. But often times those I trusted to do a good job do not do as well as I expect them to. Therefore I often feel as if I have been scammed.

[BrianKrueger]

Being too trusting can be a weakness, as you can illustrate with your examples. Then you need to answer the question (whether asked or not) what you are doing to overcome this weakness. "Not trusting as much" is not the right answer. You need to show with examples how you drill down into the details when someone asks you to simply trust them.

[LadyOtacon]

Most of my weaknesses are more personal quirks rather than work related, like being shy around new people/people I dislike, not speaking up if there is a problem, and talking to myself. I don't really know if I should tell an interviewer that or not.

[BrianKrueger]

Try to keep your answers work related if at all possible.

[mearls95]

These are terrific videos with great advice for those at any career level. For the 'weakness' question, I would like to tell an interviewer that I work very hard to prevent my weaknesses from becoming impediments to my success and leave it at that. (In reality, I lack confidence but don't want to admit that I struggle with such issues.) What is your opinion about that response to this typical interview question?

[BrianKrueger]

You can try that and it might work with some interviewers. But most won't let you off the hook with that answer. I would continue to probe for what you feel is your greatest weakness and then I would ask you for when a weakness had an impact in your work. You can't simply brush it aside at that point.

[mearls95]

"...when a weakness had an impact in your work..." You are really good! One can never be too prepared for these hard questions. Thanks!!!

[itsirking]

i have one tomorrow... wish me gud luck...

[yunacons]

I agree with this advice...telling them what your doing to rectify the issue is the point of this question..

[CareerEncore]

Everyone should be sure not to make this mistake!

[Licenciada]

My teacher recommended us this video to make a paragraph project. This is a great advice!

[supertrex2]

ive seen a lot of youtube videos but this one is The Best! Keep it going!

[superbread12345]

thanks

[yoguely]

Thanks this really helps!

[0ctopi]

brian seriously u should be working as some corporate CEO with your excellent communication skills...

[Musicity32]

THanks!!! I ll never make that mistake again

[mdxba]

This is great advice. Thanks much!

[uditawasthi]

awesomistic dude

[ritzyruth]

nice!

[OCBspain]

Brilliant!! Thank you so much! It's such a tough question, I was thinking of saying I sympathize too much with the customers but now I think that this is a better way to go around it as personally I didn't think that getting involved was a "weakness". Thanks dude! xx

[heinz5356baolcom]

Great advise. Thanks!

[PositiveNature]

Great advice

[cr3yola]

thank you so much that was much better. i was doing research on that question and everybody was saying the same thing: disguise a strength as a weakness. and although they would give examples i just couldn't apply it right. but this is so much better cause it's more towards the truth and i'm not a good liar or "actor" lol :)

[youknowdavid]

interview in 11 hours

[hellcat6249472]

Fantastic! Very well presented

[audiobreather]

Thanks Brian! ^_^

[TheNationalPool]

I just started using a pocket planner.

[benjamin97128]

solid video!

[Smartdba]

I've a job interview in 39 hours. This could help. Thanks.

[fuze59]

hahaha thats the exact one that i use.. i have had problem with organizing but i am taking these steps to correct it..

[mija2006]

i dislike that question so much ...yet we got to take it :) i have an interview tomorrow and since the last time i screwed up b/c i couldn't come up with a good enough answer, ...hehehe, i decided to check for some useful info. thank you.

[dngnbsoip90382560]

Very helpfull thank you! I have an interwiev in an hour!

[PureWay4]

wow I liked the weakness of priortizing I will use it!

[sakdude9]

interview in two hours!

[Gatris66]

zomg i have one in an hour too!

[agricolae101]

That was so clever!!!!! :-O

[CA13OOSE]

GOT AN INTERVIEW IN AN HOUR!!!

[FreshLove8]

Fantasic! These really are the saviour's.

Funny how every one always results to these tutorials. I've got a very important job interview coming up in 5days. Must research on>>>> Good Luck to all every one!

[frrst2k8]

this is a good tip..tnx again

[xblondie008]

Thank you!!! I'm buying a pocket planner to show my interviewer :) I have an interview for my DREAM JOB in a week and I'm very nervous!

[opinionanonymous]

Hey good luck with your interview xblondie008.

Research the company that you are attempting to join, research the trends of the industry and remember Try to have fun in there.

GOOD LUCK

[marwan384]

u r really very helpful

[minhb2000]

Great idea.

[haibaraidiomas]

I agree with you. Say the truth and tell what you've been doing to overcome it.

[leighmatildz]

thanks for the tips brian.. it helped me lot.

[IJudgeJudy]

Hey Brian I thought the tip for this was great!!!!!! I'm glad that you are encouraging honesty. I have always read and been told to do exactly what you just said not to do!

[ALkaFone]

wonderful!!! it helped me to get a great idea of what to answer to this question.

[stube105]

That's a great tip! Appreciate it!

[crisam17]

helpful.

[getcrunk123]

makes sense...

[lambdan33]

hi bro thanks a lot for posting this kind of video.I waiting for my job interview in one of the biggest casino here in macao & i always watched this....godbless