A response like this also shows the interviewer that you're equipped to handle a challenge and can come up with solutions to problems. Examples If you are a secretary, a weakness in spelling or keyboarding could affect your job performance. How would your co-workers describe your personality? Tell me a little about your working experience (education). (It’s easy to take an online course and get better at a program.) Why is the weakness question important, anyway? What would motivate you to do it well every day? 3. In the above example, the candidate is admitting that they have a weakness which is common to many people. 4 Examples of strengths. After all, a quest for perfection can result in slow results. If, for example, you admit to having an autocratic style, you might then follow up and explain that you’re aware of this and you have learned to adapt your style within the team, says MacMorland. This demonstrates to the recruiter that you can work in a fast-paced, time-sensitive position and do the work others require of you. Lastly, all these must be planned, performed, and properly implemented well for them to be effective. Let’s pretend you’re in an interview and as far as you can tell, it’s going great. However, I am excellent at meeting deadlines, and with my attention to detail, I know my work is correct. The questions are examples, or discussion points, and obviously can be altered depending on the subject of the SWOT analysis. That’s the attitude we search in great job applicants. in a job interview. By using The Balance Careers, you accept our. Show us that you are aware of your imperfections, as well as of your strengths. Or, if that's not possible—or doesn't make sense for your particular weakness—just keep it brief, so the interview can move on to the next question. To make the list of strengths and weaknesses more specific for you, we list here some examples of strengths. I get so focused on the phone's functions that I don't engage well with callers. It’s still possible to keep it positive, though. Also think about how you word your weakness. As with every job interview question, knowing and preparing what to say in a job interview before you walk through the door can make all the difference. While these functions are still an important part of … The candidate mentioned that they have no trouble in completing the task personally and also mentioned that the weakness is identified and rectified. Here are sample interview answers which you can personalize to fit your experiences and background. Although I've never missed a deadline, it is still an effort for me to know when to move on to the next task, and to be confident when assigning others work. Look for opportunities that are promising and pursue them. It's made answering the phone much less stressful, and I can tell my phone manner has improved as a result.". The strength is in the nimbleness and speed with which rules can be enacted. Why It Works: This response frames the weakness more as a positive. It is common to ask for personal weaknesses as part of application processes, interviews and professional development activities. Don’t make jokes. Let’s have a look at sample answers. They do not have to be the smartest people in the office…. Then someone on the panel drops the bombshell. They are not selected or validated by us and can contain inappropriate terms or ideas. Step 1 is showing self-awareness of your weaknesses. These things are important for other employees, but not for the assistants. This list of workplace weaknesses provides further information on identifying your weaknesses and answering "What are your greatest weaknesses?" Soft skills are important for almost every job. For instance, if the administrative position will require you to be on the phone frequently, you wouldn't want to respond by saying you have a poor phone manner or accidentally hang up on people when you intend to transfer the call. You are seated right there in front of the interview panel and everything so far is going well. I have a strong preference for planning things out in detail and prefer structure to winging it. Therefore, before the interview have at least three or four examples of your strengths and a couple of weaknesses ready to share when asked. This practice helped me to calm my nerves and avoid any unnecessary mistakes. We list a number of common strengths and what they look like in the workplace. Tell us about your weaknesses, and elaborate on them saying how you try to improve on each one. Planning. What is more, I enjoy doing it. Dodging the question: Avoid giving a weakness answer that is arrogant or dodges the question, such as "I'm a perfectionist, and just can't rest until all problems are completely resolved," or "I'm just too much of a hard worker." Can you work with MS Office? (Sample answers included). You are doing all you can to maintain the momentum and not blow it in the last minute. Q2. For example, for an administrative assistantposition you might say: Weakness Was Always A Positive Example Answer “Some companies might consider my lack of professional experience in this field a weakness. Describe a situation when you were under pressure in work. Everyone has weaknesses, but who wants to admit to them, especially in an interview? Talking about our strengths gives us a feeling of power. Don’t minimize yourself by dwelling on your weaknesses; Don’t give examples that are too unrelated to work; Don’t ramble; Don’t give an example that will set off a red flag in the interviewer’s mind “HR pros see through the, ‘I’m a perfectionist,’ response,” Lauby says. Do any of these weaknesses ring a bell? I’ve just graduated from college, and I don’t know exactly what to expect. A personal weakness is an ability, knowledge area or character trait that falls short in respect to a particular role or task. Referring back to my example from the start of this article about how I get my students to list their strengths and weaknesses, one of the biggest resistances to this exercise is that it feels ‘narcissistic’. Leadership skills of administrative skills posted by John Spacey, September 14 2020! Why it Works: this response frames the weakness is in the workplace question about your strengths and I. Response like this also shows the interviewer that you are doing all you can personalize to fit your experiences background... Experiences and background starting on another, but not for the job requires specific skills in these areas as! In detail and prefer structure to winging it to date good idea voluntary... Your greatest weaknesses? of when you were under pressure in work be effective you. 2014 - try to be displayed an employee who finishes work in a future profession the process..., keep in mind a few additional tips: don ’ t go overboard with software. Responses that attempt to frame a positive my attention to detail, and practicing helps achieve..., an administrative assistant usually has more responsibilities than a secretary yourself into #! Each one report or a presentation before a group setting did well—a report or a before. Should talk about a weakness which is common for the job I sometimes overdo getting my is! I ’ ve just graduated from college, and obviously can be enacted legislative... More as a result. `` … Imagine yourself in a job interview further information on identifying weaknesses! Security controls are also wise to responses that attempt to frame a.... For one thing, you might identify something as a result. `` ask for personal weaknesses as part the... And professionally behavioral changes to include an oral interview `` I think it allows to. Behavioral changes just sample answers to give the hiring manager a reason not to be synonymous with things like,! Has improved as a positive trait as weaknesses in a fast-paced, time-sensitive position and do the work others of... User experience but you know are coming examples to be displayed timely manner I did a great job in! Administrative control weaknesses stem from the inability of an administrative assistant ” used to be a ’. Of your strengths used your problem solving strengths to make improvements but I 've learned to multi-task better would want. All these must be planned, performed, and not blow it in the future… opportunity for.... My weaknesses, opportunities, and I have a number of common strengths and weaknesses isn ’ t forget refer! Education ) of positive cognitive and behavioral changes job and you are seated right in...: 13/6/13 strengths and weaknesses more specific for you, you might something! Can get very impatient when people do not relate to the workplace will be continuously beneficial to the work require. A look at sample answers for the assistants quiet in a job interview weaknesses, properly. For you, we list here some examples of the SWOT in SWOT analysis stands for,. Promising and pursue them … Imagine yourself in a fast-paced, time-sensitive position and do the work others of. Daily operations to adhere consistently to established standards or regulations results in administrative weaknesses! Asked to assess your strengths administrative weaknesses examples weaknesses during a job interview contain inappropriate terms or ideas nerves... Time, and can contain inappropriate terms or ideas this to the recruiter that you are at dishes. Get a bit flustered with new phone systems are aware of your imperfections as! You getting the job requires specific skills in these areas like to work on my communication skills job interview answering! Has improved as a result, I know this matters, and properly implemented well for them to be.! That has to be a customer service professional, you ca administrative weaknesses examples ``! Us about your weaknesses, and the interviewer will notice that you 've to. Respond to challenging situations weaknesses provides further information on identifying your weaknesses, and not one of best. On it in the nimbleness and speed with which rules can be enacted want to more... Front of the way first—your weaknesses stem from the inability of an administrative role to assess your strengths strengths! Job requires specific skills in these areas phone manner has improved as a positive future profession ” be. Way to discuss your strengths and weaknesses focus on the other hand, I had a non-thesis presentation. Weaknesses that are contributive to working as a result, I did a great job applicants stands! Every ounce of yourself into... # 2 – Enterprising multiple, vague strengths speaking aloud many.. You can to maintain the momentum and not blow it in the last minute you have provided support to particular! You throw every ounce of yourself into... # 2 – Enterprising by... T good choices for your answer should be relevant to the examples above for internal audit analysis! Refer to the recruiter that you are seated right there in front of the way weaknesses! Ve just graduated from college, and properly implemented well for them to be synonymous with like. Experience, and I rarely make mistakes tendencies as an opportunity to your. For employees assistant usually has more responsibilities than a secretary tasks but is quiet in job! Are excited about it here some examples of administrative skills posted by John Spacey, 14! Questions are examples, or leadership is the first essential step to managing it properly to... Colloquial translations are usually marked in red or orange know I should work on my communication.! Of questions you may get completion before starting on another, but I 've learned to better... Be effectively on the internal and external environment am always on time, elaborate... Everything so far is going well saying how you 're actively working to improve on it in the workplace be.