What are your areas of weakness, for job promotion interview

Jet Black · 12-02-2015 02:57PM #1

I have an interview coming up with my manager for a supervisor which I'm confident enough about with the exception of one thing. My manager thinks I won't be able to assert myself over others as I'm just not much of a talker.

The question will come up what are my areas of weakness and how are you addressing these, I'm not sure excatlly how to approach this. Should I say

'I would consider myself an introvert and regonise the weaknesses and strengths of this. I find I'm a little slower at making connections with people but feel these are stronger once made. I still work great in a team and find myself more approachable with people coming to me with their issues asking my opinion and how they should handle them. What I'd like to do is make these connections happen faster and I have been working on this for the last few months pushing myself more and meeting new people which I have been enjoying'

Tabnabs · 12-02-2015 03:50PM

Jet Black wrote: »

I have an interview coming up with my manager for a supervisor which I'm confident enough about with the exception of one thing. My manager thinks I won't be able to assert myself over others as I'm just not much of a talker.

The question will come up what are my areas of weakness and how are you addressing these, I'm not sure excatlly how to approach this. Should I say

'I would consider myself an introvert and regonise the weaknesses and strengths of this. I find I'm a little slower at making connections with people but feel these are stronger once made. I still work great in a team and find myself more approachable with people coming to me with their issues asking my opinion and how they should handle them. What I'd like to do is make these connections happen faster and I have been working on this for the last few months pushing myself more and meeting new people which I have been enjoying'

Too negative on yourself, you need to sell yourself much better.

Something along the lines of: "In the past, I would have considered myself as not the most outspoken person in the world. Obviously in a position of management I need to connect effectively with the other members of my team. This is something I continue to work hard at, to ensure we enjoy a good line of communication, and in both directions."

You recognise the problem, come up with a solution and then implement it.

Jet Black · 12-02-2015 04:00PM

That does sound better. Thank you.

Mr. Loverman · 12-02-2015 04:03PM

Your manager thinks it's a problem, so don't try to say being an introvert is also a good thing.

I agree with the other poster than what you're saying is too negative overall though.

"I know I must be assertive, confident and a leader when in a management position. I assure you if I am given this opportunity, you will see this side of my personality. I recently joined toastmasters (or whatever, you are actually doing something proactive to fix the issue, right?) and will continue to develop this aspect of myself" etc etc.

Bristolscale7 · 12-02-2015 04:29PM

Interviewer: "How long have you been in your current position."
Candidate: "I would say my biggest weakness is my listening skills."

Gone West · 12-02-2015 05:15PM

asinine question tbh, isn't it.

Eoin · 12-02-2015 05:40PM

Fuzzy wrote: »

asinine question tbh, isn't it.

No, it's not at all. People confuse it for a typical HR bullsh1tty question, when it's not. At least it asked properly for the purposes of finding out where the candidate thinks they need to improve. Edit: especially if they're actually doing something about it. Edit 2: and even more relevant in an internal application where they know you, and have an idea of what your weaknesses are.

percy212 · 12-02-2015 05:43PM

Great answer. Examples of what you are doing to rectify the issue will win your manager over. Toastmasters, local drama group etc.

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Your manager thinks it's a problem, so don't try to say being an introvert is also a good thing.

I agree with the other poster than what you're saying is too negative overall though.

"I know I must be assertive, confident and a leader when in a management position. I assure you if I am given this opportunity, you will see this side of my personality. I recently joined toastmasters (or whatever, you are actually doing something proactive to fix the issue, right?) and will continue to develop this aspect of myself" etc etc.

What are your areas of weakness, for job promotion interview

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