The Personal Interview (PI) is a key component of the Common Admission Test (CAT) selection process, playing a crucial role in determining final admission. After acing your Written Ability Test (WAT), PI still holds enough importance to make or break your chances of getting into the college of your dream. During that grilling session, one of the most common yet tricky questions you might face is the classic, “What is your weakness?” This question is said to stutter most prepared candidates as they think that if they point out their weaknesses, they will end up losing their seat.
To calm that uncertainty, it is important to first understand why interviewers ask this question. The panel sitting in front of does not aim to test you on your competency, however, they intend to test your ability of self-reflection. While this question may seem like a trap to most candidates, it is actually an opportunity to showcase your mindset for growth and self-awareness.
To mention another misconception, candidates often think that they need to disguise their weakness as a strength. To illustrate, saying, “I work too hard” can appear as insincere or evasive than honest and self-aware.
So to combat the misconceptions and in order to draft a seemingly appropriate answer, it is important to understand that you present yourself as a thoughtful, resilient and self-aware prospect. Here is how you can ace the answer to “What is your weakness?”
- When you are asked about your weakness, the key lies in answering the question truthfully whilst also ensuring that you highlight your willingness to learn and grow. For example, instead of saying, “ I lack time management skills,” try saying, “ I tend to be overly critical of my work, which can sometimes hamper my commitments. However, I am fully aware of the consequences of my dependent resources, so I aspire to actively work on managing this weakness.” The revised response truthfully reflects your weaknesses, shows you are presently aware of it and are motivated to resolve it through effort and progress.
- To elevate your response and go that extra mile, you can talk about how you plan to address this weakness. Conversely, the interviewer can also ask you how you plan to overcome the mentioned weakness. Thus in these two situations, you could say, “ I am an introvert, which makes me nervous about public speaking. However, to overcome my stage fright, I have enrolled myself in a public speaking course in order to build my confidence and presentation skills. The mentioned example successfully demonstrates that you are taking active steps to overcome your weakness.
- Try to frame your weakness as an asset, however, it is critical to not seem arrogant and/or evasive. You can say something like, “I am aware that I sometimes lack management skills as I get lost in ensuring that the task is done to a high standard, known best to my knowledge. However, I have realised that it sometimes hampers with meeting deadlines and tasks that need to be tackled on priority basis. Thus, to help overcome my weakness, I have been working on trusting my teammates to discuss the tasks that need to be tackled on priority, sharing responsibilities with them and effectively meeting the deadlines.”
This article provides you with some examples of tools and approaches you can use to answer this question effectively. However, it is essential that you tailor your response according to your personal experiences Following points mention some examples of standard weaknesses you could inspire from:
- Perfectionism: Mentioning you deliver tasks with your best work shows your strength, however, having difficulties to delegate and manage expectations is a weakness that could be demonstrated.
- Impatience: If you find it difficult to wait for results, you can mention that you are working on managing this weakness by learning how to set more realistic timelines and trusting the process.
- Public Speaking: People commonly struggle with public speaking and admit to having stage fright. If this is something you are working on, mentioning it shows that you are actively improving your communication skills, which is critical in any professional setting.
- Delegation: If you tend to take on too much, discussing how you are learning to delegate tasks effectively can demonstrate your growing leadership skills.
- Time Management: If you have struggled with managing multiple tasks, you can mention that you have started using tools like to-do lists or project management apps to stay organized.
While framing these answers and preparing yourself mentally, it is important to subconsciously remember a few points. Firstly, your response should always emphasize growth and learning. Make sure you briefly mention your weakness and then focus on mentioning how you target to overcome it. Always ensure that you highlight the active steps you are taking to overcome this weakness. Secondly, keep your answer concise and under one minute. The goal is to keep the panel intrigued with your improvements and not dwell on your shortcomings. Thirdly, it is healthy and smart to strike the right balance between humility and confidence.
To conclude, the ever-so-famous question, “What is your weakness” can seem intimidating, however, by being sharp and honest, you can ace this question. Turn this question into an opportunity to highlight your ability to be self-aware, reflect and grow from within. Answer this question confidently and reassure the panel with your maturity and determination to get admission into your dream institute.
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