Page 58 - How To Answer Interview Questions (II)

Job Interview Question 25

How do you compensate for your weaknesses?

Your interviewer knows that if they ask, “What’s your greatest weakness?” you’ll have an answer
ready that doesn’t really seem like a weakness and puts you in good light. Asking this way, “How do
you compensate for your weaknesses?” might throw you off your game a bit. It drills a little deeper
and assumes that you have a weakness and simply asks what you are doing about it.

Give them a weakness that doesn’t affect a central, critical part of your job and tell them
what you already do to overcome it.

For instance, I would say that I am not particularly detail-oriented, and that’s why I take the extra
steps of X, Y, and Z so I don’t miss anything.

This might be a good opportunity to show that you are coachable, which is a big plus
in the eyes of your future supervisor. Say, “I used to have a problem with X, but my mentor gave me a
fantastic solution (then describe that). I’ve been using it ever since with no problems.”

Or, this might be a good opportunity to show that you can train yourself, when necessary:
“I used to be a little afraid of technology, but then I signed up for some classes on my own to learn
what I needed to. I brush up my skills with a new class every few months or so.”

It’s going to take some thought on your part, but be strategic and think of an answer that names a
weakness that is not a deal-breaking factor for this job, and a compensation that highlights a great
quality they would like to see in you.

Think about the company, think about the job itself,
and really tailor your answer to fit.