Job Interview: Best Answer for "What Are Your Greatest Strengths and
Weaknesses?"
Template for Answering Strengths and Weaknesses
Tip: When discussing strengths, focus on qualities that match the job role. For weaknesses,
mention something you are actively working to improve.
Example Answer:
Strengths:
"One of my greatest strengths is my adaptability. I can quickly adjust to new challenges and
environments, which helps me stay productive in different situations. I also have strong
communication skills, allowing me to collaborate well with teams and interact professionally
with clients. Additionally, I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which ensures that I
complete tasks efficiently and accurately."
Weaknesses:
"One area I am working to improve is my tendency to take on too many tasks at once.
Sometimes, I focus too much on multitasking, which can slow my progress on some projects.
However, I am learning to prioritize my workload more effectively and delegate when
necessary. I’ve started using task management tools to ensure I stay efficient while maintaining
high-quality work."
Why This Works:
Shows self-awareness
Demonstrates problem-solving skills
Turns weaknesses into opportunities for growth
Aligns strengths with job requirements
Why do you think you’re qualified for the position?
"I believe I am qualified for this position because of my (mention relevant skills, experience,
and qualifications). With (X years of experience in the field), I have developed (specific skills
related to the job, e.g., leadership, problem-solving, customer service, etc.) that align well with
the responsibilities of this role. Additionally, my ability to (mention a key strength, such as
adaptability or teamwork) allows me to contribute effectively to your team and help achieve
company goals."
Example (For an ESL Teacher Manager role):
"I believe I am qualified for this position because of my 8+ years of experience teaching ESL to
diverse students worldwide. I have strong leadership and organizational skills, having created
lesson plans, tailored curricula, and mentored students preparing for IELTS, TOEFL, and other
exams. Additionally, I have mentored other teachers, ensuring that they deliver high-quality
lessons. My ability to manage teams and communicate effectively makes me confident that I can
oversee the teaching staff and support their professional growth."
What are your salary expectations?
"Based on my skills, experience, and industry standards, I am looking for a salary in the range of
(provide a range, e.g., $X - $Y per month/year). However, I am open to discussing
compensation further based on the responsibilities of the role and the overall benefits package."
Alternative Answer (If You’re Open to Negotiation):
"I am flexible with my salary expectations and more focused on finding the right role where I can
contribute effectively. I would love to understand more about the company’s budget for this
position and the overall benefits package."
What motivates you?
Tip: Focus on personal and professional motivators that align with the job.
"I am motivated by continuous learning and personal growth. I enjoy taking on new challenges,
solving problems, and making a meaningful impact through my work. Seeing (students improve,
projects succeed, teams grow, etc.) gives me great satisfaction. Additionally, collaborating with
a supportive team and achieving shared goals drives me to do my best every day."
Example (For an ESL Teacher Manager role):
"I am motivated by helping students gain confidence in using English and seeing their progress
over time. I also enjoy mentoring teachers and helping them develop their skills, ensuring that
students receive the best education possible. Creating an engaging learning environment and
working with a team that shares the same passion for teaching excites me the most."
What questions do you have for me?
Here's a list of questions you can ask your interviewer:
1. Why is the position open? 2. Why did the last person who held the job leave? 3. Thinking
about people who’ve done this work before, how do the people who are good in the role differ
from those who are great in it? 4. What will success in the position look like? How will you
measure my performance? 5. What are some of the biggest challenges I would face? 6. What are
some of the biggest challenges the company is facing right now? 7. What do you like and dislike
about working for the company? 8. What would you expect me to accomplish in the first 90
days? Six months? 9. How does this role support the company’s overall mission? 10. Can you
describe the company’s culture? 11. I know X, Y, and Z are your competitors, but which one do
you think is your top competitor and why? 12. What is a typical day like? 13. How has your role
changed during your time here? 14. How long do people typically stay in this role? 15. Why did
you decide to work here? 16. What kind of professional development does the company offer?
The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a great way to answer behavioral
interview questions. Here’s how it works in a simple and complete way:
1. Situation – Explain the background of the story.
• Where were you?
• What was happening?
• Who was involved?
2. Task – Describe your responsibility.
• What was your role?
• What problem needed to be solved?
3. Action – Explain what you did.
• What steps did you take?
• How did you solve the problem?
4. Result – Describe the outcome.
• What happened after you took action?
• Did you succeed?
• What did you learn?
Example STAR Response: Handling a Difficult Customer
Question: "Tell me about a time when you handled a difficult customer."
Answer:
Situation: I was working as a cashier at a busy supermarket. One day, a customer became
very upset because they were charged the wrong price for an item.
Task: My job was to stay calm, listen to the customer, and find a solution to their problem.
Action: I apologized for the mistake, checked the price, and found that the customer was
correct. I immediately corrected the price in the system and refunded the extra amount they had
paid.
Result: The customer was happy with my quick response and thanked me for my help. My
manager also appreciated my patience and problem-solving skills.
Example STAR Response: Working in a Team
Question: "Tell me about a time when you worked in a team to complete a project."
Answer:
Situation: At my previous job, my team and I had to complete an important project in a
short time. We had to prepare a presentation for a client.
Task: My role was to collect information, organize the data, and design the slides for the
presentation.
Action: I worked closely with my teammates, shared ideas, and made sure that everyone had
the information they needed. I also helped a colleague who was struggling with their part of the
project.
Result: We finished the presentation on time, and the client was very impressed. My
manager praised our teamwork, and I felt proud of my contribution.
Example STAR Response: Meeting a Tight Deadline
Question: "Tell me about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline."
Answer:
Situation: In my previous job, my boss asked me to complete an urgent report in one day
instead of three.
Task: I needed to finish the report quickly without making mistakes.
Action: I organized my work, focused on the most important parts first, and avoided
distractions. I also asked a colleague to review my work before submitting it.
Result: I finished the report on time, and my boss was happy with the quality. I learned how
to work under pressure and manage my time well.
