Although often confused, an administrative assistant usually has more responsibilities than a secretary. Here are a few examples of the best weaknesses to mention in an interview: 1. The SWOT in SWOT analysis stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Which is entirely not true. Note that these aren’t good choices for your answer if the job requires specific skills in these areas. Let’s pretend you’re in an interview and as far as you can tell, it’s going great. They do not have to be the smartest people in the office…. Why is the weakness question important, anyway? See some sample answers below. Also think about how you word your weakness. These are just some of the questions you may get. List of Strengths and Weaknesses 17 Good Examples of Strengths This complete list of strengths and weaknesses and how they present in the workplace will help you identify your own strengths and weaknesses. ", But don't stop there. What are your strengths and weaknesses? But I accept this weakness as it i, for now. Why It Works: This answer is very honest, and again, as well as identifying the weakness, this answer shows how the interviewee is addressing it. (Sample answers included). After all, a quest for perfection can result in slow results. The best response is to take a lesser weakness and use it as an example. However, I am excellent at meeting deadlines, and with my attention to detail, I know my work is correct. What Is Your Greatest Weakness? You are seated right there in front of the interview panel and everything so far is going well. I have sound logic, am diplomatic and disciplined and approach social situations with an … One strategy when answering this question is to use it as an opportunity to show how you're actively working to improve your weakness. Here are sample interview answers which you can personalize to fit your experiences and background. When you are applying for an administrative or office position, a typical job interview question is, "What is your greatest weakness?" Therefore, if your company is having difficulty in accomplishing any of these factors, then take the time to analyze all aspects of the business, pinpoint weaknesses and plan to overcome them. Full Bio. Job related strengths, weaknesses that are not essential for the job. 3. As a result, I did a great job. SWOT Analysis Example (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) A SWOT Analysis Example for a Marketing Action Plan ••• Ezra Bailey / Getty Images By. Interview Question: What is Your Greatest Weakness? Organisation. For example: "I have a tendency to get a bit flustered with new phone systems. It’s difficult for me to lead a team of people, doesn’t matter if whether we speak about work, or about my personal life. She has run an IT consulting firm and designed and presented courses on how to promote small businesses. For example, a regularly-scheduled backup routine is an important procedural control related to disaster recovery. We all love talking about our strengths. in a job interview. Police Promotion Interview Questions on Strengths and Weaknesses. Please report examples to be edited or not to be displayed. Try to be honest. For example, I had a non-thesis research presentation during my Master's program. I am always on time, and my motivation never wavers in work. … Here are our seventeen best examples of answers to the common interview question asking about your weakness. However, taking the time to complete your self evaluation is an important opportunity for employees. These are just sample answers for the question what are your weaknesses. Tell them about your weaknesses, and elaborate on that with an explanation on how you try to improve on them. Let's get the hard part out of the way first—your weaknesses. Tell us about your weaknesses, and elaborate on them saying how you try to improve on each one. 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 a secretary’s work is usually strictly clerical in nature (answering the phone, dictation, copying, etc..), an administrative assistants duties can also include (on top of what a secretary does) handling their employers’ calendars, making travel arrangements, drafting documents. Administrative skills are talents and character traits that allow an individual to be productive in an office environment. 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. Never ever say … Examples Help. So, do not answer this question by sharing how bad you are at cleaning dishes. Stay focused on one or two key qualities that relate directly to the role and support them with specific, relevant examples. Let’s have a look at sample answers. Why do interviewers so often inquire about weaknesses? Susan Ward wrote about small businesses for The Balance Small Business for 18 years. The strength is in the nimbleness and speed with which rules can be enacted. Can you work with MS Office? Do any of these weaknesses ring a bell? 1. Strengths And Weaknesses In Public Administration. Instead, talk factually about a communications-based task you did well—a report or a presentation before a group, for example. Show us that you are aware of your imperfections, as well as of your strengths. 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." That part of the strengths and weaknesses question is to see how realistic you are. Describe a situation when you had to plan and organize multiple tasks. Brilliant answers to all questions (see some directly on the eBook page) will help you relax and deliver your best on the big day. But you should still respond, and your answer should be relevant to the workplace. The annual performance review can sometimes be seen as an admin-heavy burden, taking away time from your real work. Of course, that can cause problems in a busy workplace. Example of weaknesses - the full list. Being detail-oriented is typically a good thing, but if you’re someone who tends to spend too much time on the ... 2. Show us that you are aware of your imperfections, as well as of your strengths. Describe a situation when you had to motivate someone in work (your colleague, your subordinate, or even yourself). Once you’re done, take three or five of those strengths and compare them to see which ones are up to the requirements of the job description, and make sure you can give accurate examples, stating why it is your strength when questioned further. Go to. Finally, the way you respond can show if you just accept a weakness as a given, or if you're working to improve in that area. This list of workplace weaknesses provides further information on identifying your weaknesses and answering "What are your greatest weaknesses?" Examples If you are a secretary, a weakness in spelling or keyboarding could affect your job performance. I think it allows me to be more creative and effective in each one. You don't want to give the hiring manager a reason not to hire you. This job is repetitive. You may also see SWOT analysis worksheet examples. Sadly, we do not pay as much attention to our weaknesses, which are part of who we are. Or you can say that you really enjoy the things administrative assistants do on a daily basis, and prefer simple jobs , so you can leave the workplace each day with a clear mind, and focus on your life outside of work. By Mike Simpson. Failure in daily operations to adhere consistently to established standards or regulations results in administrative control weaknesses. I can get very impatient when people do not deliver work in a timely manner. For example, if you were to be interviewing for a data-entry position, the last thing you want to list as your greatest weakness is that you don’t pay attention to details. When you write your script, keep in mind a few additional tips: Don’t list multiple, vague strengths. I’ve just graduated from college, and I don’t know exactly what to expect. What is the main responsibility in this job? First, you'll state the weakness. Q4. Don’t forget to refer to the examples above for internal audit SWOT analysis. But my communication skills could be better–especially in face to face confrontations. However, a candidate that expresses their weaknesses without any evidence of progress towards fixing them is going to have a hard time landing that administrative job. Also, someone who is too much of a perfectionist may not be considered an asset by the employer. But, of course, doing everything yourself is often overwhelming and frustrating. If you want to be an accountant, you can't be "quantitatively challenged". 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’. Other Skills Needed Other skills that organizations often seek for in administrative assistants include interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to use sound judgment and the ability to act as a team player. Q2. That type of response doesn't seem genuine or sympathetic, and the interviewer will notice that you've failed to answer the question. Add this to the list of questions you hate, but you know are coming. have a tendency to get a bit flustered with new phone systems. Q1. (It’s easy to take an online course and get better at a program.) Example 3. Likewise, you should choose a strength that is at least somehow relevant for office assistants, for example patience, responsibility, typewriting skills, excellent computer skills, and so on. Don’t go overboard with the weaknesses, though. Example: "I think the increasing implementation of technology in the workplace will be continuously beneficial to the role of an administrative assistant. Examples of weaknesses (if they aren’t related to the job) include patience, organization, public speaking, being overly sensitive, delegating tasks, or specific programs. Some examples of weaknesses you might mention include: Being too critical of yourself; Attempting to please everyone So in this example, you might continue by saying: "Since it's important to me to sound friendly and approachable on the phone, I created a sticky-note with instructions for how to put calls on hold, transfer, etc. Soft Skills. The candidate mentioned that they have no trouble in completing the task personally and also mentioned that the weakness is identified and rectified. Here's an example of how that works. I suffer a bit from the "if you want something done right, do it yourself" mentality, and have sometimes found it hard to delegate or let others help me with projects. Management. For example, preparing reports, scheduling meetings and conducting research is typically performed using software applications. Rude or colloquial translations are usually marked in red or orange. This complete list of workplace strengths will help you with this interview question. For one thing, you might identify something as a weakness that's key to the role. As with the weaknesses examples, you’ll need to adjust your strength choices and responses according to your personal experience. A stellar Administrative Assistant can be a company’s secret weapon. Here are some other questions you may get after being asked about your biggest weakness: Answer the question: Yes, this is a tricky question. List of Strengths and Weaknesses 17 Good Examples of Strengths This complete list of strengths and weaknesses and how they present in the workplace will help you identify your own strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has some weaknesses, but it is your attitude to weaknesses that makes from you a good (or a bad) job candidate. As with any inquiry about a weakness during an interview, you want to make sure to answer honestly and sincerely, but still, paint yourself in a positive light. Example: "I think the increasing implementation of technology in the workplace will be continuously beneficial to the role of an administrative assistant. In this example, the student is creative and good at focusing on tasks but is quiet in a group setting. Classic examples include “I’m a perfectionist,” “I’m competitive,” and “I just work too hard.” Employers want to know how you manage the weakness and recognizing the weakness is the first essential step to managing it properly. Talking about our strengths gives us a feeling of power. Pitfall #3- Passing Yourself Off as Perfect. 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. Employers want to know how you manage the weakness and recognizing the weakness is the first essential step to managing it properly. A high churn rate, for example, would be categorized as a weakness, but improving a high churn rate is still within your control, making it an internal factor. I used to like to work on one project to its completion before starting on another, but I've learned to multi-task better. 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. On the other hand, I know I should work on my management skills, and leadership skills. A response like this also shows the interviewer that you're equipped to handle a challenge and can come up with solutions to problems. Look for opportunities that are promising and pursue them. In the above example, the candidate is admitting that they have a weakness which is common to many people. Plus, this question is a tricky one, so it can also show interviewers how you respond to challenging situations. Irrelevant weaknesses: Do not share weaknesses that do not relate to the work. We list a number of common strengths and what they look like in the workplace. It is common to ask for personal weaknesses as part of application processes, interviews and professional development activities. All signs point to you getting the job and you are excited about it. How do you keep your qualification and knowledge up to date? Administrative security controls are also referred to as procedural controls. A better strength for an administrative assistant is the ability to multi-task effectively. Example of weaknesses - the full list. Q3. 17 Best Examples of Interview Answers to the “What are your Weaknesses?” Question . any BESTPRAC WG1 Administration member contributing to the preparation of this document sharing their knowledge, experience or weaknesses identified in project planning and implementation, can be held responsible for the use made of this document. I have a strong preference for planning things out in detail and prefer structure to winging it. You’ve got your resume up to snuff, your handshake was firm, you’ve nailed every question they’ve thrown at you with laser like precision…and now it’s the wrap up segment. Sometimes, I spend more time than necessary on a task or have volunteered to take on tasks personally that could easily be handled by someone else in the office. Then someone on the panel drops the bombshell. I always give hundred percent, and can not imagine living my life in any other way. For example, if you are great at time management in your personal life, this likely means you'll be less stressed once your inside the office, which hopefully means you'll be a more focused and driven employee. This practice helped me to calm my nerves and avoid any unnecessary mistakes. If you want to be a customer service professional, you can't be "impatient". Focusing on your weaknesses in this fashion will show your future employer you can adapt and grow personally and professionally. Not only will it help professionals in this role to better organize and prioritize their tasks, but in doing so, it … We list a number of common strengths and what they look like in the workplace. I practiced the speech by speaking aloud many times. Pitfall #3- Passing Yourself Off as Perfect. You throw every ounce of yourself into ... #2 – Enterprising. All signs point to you getting the job and you are excited about it. Step 2 is showing how you have used your problem solving strengths to make improvements. To: Date: 13/6/13 Strengths and weaknesses I have a number of key strengths that are contributive to working as a competent manager. Administrative assistants do not have to excel in management, or leadership. ", How to Ace Sales Interview Questions About Meeting Sales Goals, How to Describe Yourself at a Job Interview, discuss your strengths and weaknesses during a job interview. Here are our seventeen best examples of answers to the common interview question asking about your weakness. Describe the biggest failure of your professional career. What's your greatest strength as an employee? It's made answering the phone much less stressful, and I can tell my phone manner has improved as a result.". I used to be shy, but I realised that if I wanted to become a teaching assistant I needed to work on … I have a hard time letting go of a project. Administrative assistants do not have to excel in management, or leadership. Imagine yourself in a job interview. I have a great attention to detail, and I rarely make mistakes. Question about your strengths and weaknesses isn’t the only difficult question you will face in your interview. Why It Works: This response frames the weakness more as a positive. I've learned that dividing up tasks, setting up check-in times, and working as a team can result in great outcomes (and less late nights). When enthusiasm casts its spell on you, you feel supercharged and capable of doing anything. (Example Answers) Mike Simpson 0 Comments. Examples of weaknesses (if they aren’t related to the job) include patience, organization, public speaking, being overly sensitive, delegating tasks, or specific programs. It’s still possible to keep it positive, though. Assessing your weaknesses. #4 – Creative. Add this to the … There are a few reasons. Also think about how you word your weakness. You should talk about a weakness that won’t have a negative impact on your job–and there are many options. Don’t make jokes. Step 1 is showing self-awareness of your weaknesses. Imagine yourself in a job interview. This complete list of workplace strengths will help you with this interview question. You are seated right there in front of the interview panel and everything so far is going well. I am efficient with computers, and I typewrite quickly and correctly. Describe a situation when you were under pressure in work. Unlike hard skills, these are skills that are … Once you've briefly described the weakness, you'll go on to describe how you're tackling the issue. Follow Twitter. What is more, I enjoy doing it. #3 – Reliable. To make the list of strengths and weaknesses more specific for you, we list here some examples of strengths. Weaknesses can prevent a company from realizing its goals, competing successfully in the marketplace or earning its highest profits. You can say, for example, that you believe the job will help you to learn the ins and outs of business, that you see it as a springboard to your career in management or marketing. They are not selected or validated by us and can contain inappropriate terms or ideas. (It’s easy to take an online course and get better at a program.) ... you might create a business focused on providing administrative support for business travelers at local hotels or providing parliamentary services to meetings at the local convention center. Organization is a skill that has to be a … 25 Strengths Ready for Use at Your Next Job Interview [with Concrete Examples] #1 - Passionate. You can model your answer against any of them and be sure it will be effectively on the interviewer. Examples of Weaknesses. List of employee strengths. Why should we hire you, and not one of the many other job applicants. I worried a lot about my weaknesses, and I have been working hard to get better at numerical analysis and spreadsheets. While these functions are still an important part of … Note the weaknesses that are correctable and the ones that need a more serious intervention or a change. Select a real weakness, but not a disqualifying one. In the context of a swot analysis of a person, "weaknesses" doesn't indicate a lack of character or a problem with the person. Administrative assistants are general helpers, so be that, help where you can, even taking on tasks that may not be assigned but need doing. If you experience anxiety, or aren’t sure how you’d answer the questions, have a look at the Administrative Assistant Interview Package. Alison Doyle is the job search expert for The Balance Careers, and one of the industry's most highly-regarded job search and career experts. 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. For example, if you want to be an administrative assistant, you can't be "disorganized". Listing your strengths and weaknesses is a beneficial exercise that helps to motivate a range of positive cognitive and behavioral changes. I get so focused on the phone's functions that I don't engage well with callers. Here is a list of weaknesses with examples for your next job interview: I don’t always speak my mind; I always speak my mind; I’m not the most patient person in the world Planning. Instead, talk factually about a communications-based task you did well—a report or a presentation before a group, for example. Show self-awareness: Use this question as an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge about your own tendencies as an employee. This demonstrates to the recruiter that you can work in a fast-paced, time-sensitive position and do the work others require of you. I know this matters, and I do my best to improve on my communication skills. The questions are examples, or discussion points, and obviously can be altered depending on the subject of the SWOT analysis. Management styles vary. A personal weakness is an ability, knowledge area or character trait that falls short in respect to a particular role or task. Note that many of the SWOT questions are also talking points for other headings - use them as you find most helpful, and make up your own to suit the issue being analysed. Similarly, emerging competitors would be categorized as a threat in a SWOT analysis, but since there’s very little you can do about this, this makes it an external factor. Give an example of when you have took notes during an important meeting. 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. Get more insight into the best way to discuss your strengths and weaknesses during a job interview. 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