Good Answers to Interview Questions

How do you answer the inevitable interview question, “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” When you’re invited to a job interview, trying to second-guess what questions will be asked is a natural response. Despite the countless blog articles that have been penned on the subject, there is always going to be an element of the unknown when you’re sitting in the interviewee’s chair.

However, you are almost guaranteed to be asked questions in one particular area – strengths and weaknesses. Our strengths and weaknesses guides, which include personality-specific examples, will help you prepare some good answers to those questions. They will also give tailored advice for some of the personality dimensions assessed by the 16pf personality assessment in Am I Job Ready.

How do I start identifying my primary strengths and weaknesses?

• Reflect on some of your previous tasks – those where you have received positive feedback or recognition, as well as tasks where there has been room for improvement. Note down the key points that characterized these task
• Think about how others view you. Ask co-workers, friends and family what they think are your greatest strengths and weaknesses. Emphasize to others that you need honest and candid feedback!
• Take the 16pf personality assessment in the “Learn Your Strengths” section of Am I Job Ready It provides a comprehensive and honest overview of your personal style. In addition to gaining greater self-awareness, it will shed light on the type of information a potential employer would have about your strengths and weaknesses if they had requested you to complete a personality assessment.
• Reflect, identify, prepare! When considering good answers to interview questions, the key element is preparation. You need to reflect on your work experiences and identify some aspects of yourself that you can use to illuminate the interview. You don’t want to sound too rehearsed, but you want to show that you have thought through your strengths and weaknesses. As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

For further information, check out our resources on articulating your strengths and articulating your weaknesses for more personality-specific and general information.

We hope these short guides help you prepare some good answers.

Good luck!