If you’re preparing for a job interview, you may be wondering how to answer the question: “What skills would you like to improve?” This is one of the top questions that interviewers asks to assess your self-awareness and willingness to grow. It’s important to have a thoughtful answer that demonstrates your commitment to personal and professional development.
Why Employers Ask Questions About Skills You Want to Improve
1. Insight into your growth potential
During a job interview, it is common for hiring managers to ask about the skills you want to improve. By asking this question, employers aim to determine if you are a good fit for the job, and if you have the right attitude and approach to personal development.
2. Gauge your level of self-awareness
Employers want to know if you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and if you are willing to work on areas that need improvement. By acknowledging your weaknesses and discussing how you plan to improve them, you demonstrate that you are self-aware and willing to learn.
3. Judge your willingness to learn
In today’s fast-paced work environment, it is important to be adaptable and willing to learn new skills. By discussing the skills you want to improve, you show that you are proactive and willing to take on new challenges. Employers also ask this question to determine if you have the right experience for the job.
By discussing the skills you want to improve, you can demonstrate that you have the right experience and that you are committed to developing your skills further.
How to answer “What skills would you like to improve?”
When asked about improving your skills during an interview, it is important to approach the question with honesty, self-awareness, and a humble attitude. Here are some tips to help you answer this question confidently and knowledgeably.
1. Evaluate your skill level
Before you can identify areas of improvement, it is important to evaluate your current skill level. Think about the skills you possess and create a hierarchy of them based on their ease and frequency of usage.
Consider the areas you are confident in and those that may need improvement. This will help you identify the skills you would like to improve and articulate them in a clear and concise way during the job interview.
2. Recognize your weaknesses
When identifying areas of improvement, it is important to recognize your weaknesses. Be honest with yourself and avoid claiming to be perfect, as recruiters do not seek perfection. Instead, mention an arbitrary skill that will benefit your position while also highlighting something that will flatter the person directly above you.
Here are some additional tips for identifying areas of improvement:
- Focus on skills that are relevant to the position you are interviewing for.
- Consider your greatest weakness and how you can improve it.
- Think about your abilities and how you can develop them further.
- Evaluate your strengths and capabilities to determine where you can improve.
By approaching the question with honesty and self-awareness, you can provide a thoughtful and well-reasoned response that demonstrates your commitment to personal and professional growth.
3. Choose skills to improve
Improving your remote job skills is always a good idea, especially if you want to advance in your career or take on new challenges. Remember, you don’t have to improve all of these skills at once.
Choose the ones that are most relevant to your current role, and focus on making incremental improvements over time. With practice and dedication, you can become a more skilled and confident professional.
Here are some skills that you can focus on improving:
- Communication Skills: You can work on your communication skills by practicing active listening, being clear and concise in your messages, and adapting your communication style to different audiences. You can also take courses or workshops to improve your writing, speaking, and presentation skills.
- Leadership and Teamwork: You can improve your leadership skills by learning how to delegate tasks, motivate and inspire others, and make tough decisions. You can also work on your teamwork skills by building relationships with your colleagues, collaborating on projects, and resolving conflicts in a constructive way.
- Sales and Public Speaking: You can improve your sales skills by learning how to identify customer needs, present your products or services in a compelling way, and close deals. You can also work on your public speaking skills by practicing your delivery, using visual aids, and engaging your audience.
- Creative Writing and Online Marketing: You can improve your creative writing skills by practicing your storytelling, using descriptive language, and editing your work. You can also work on your online marketing skills by learning how to create effective content, optimize your website for search engines, and measure your results.
4. Phrase your answer carefully
It is important to word your answer carefully, especially if you want to learn more in your specific field. For example, you could say “I would love to learn management skills so I may one day move up to a senior level and manage a team. I aim to sign up for a few online courses, but I would also like to shadow my supervisor and be given more responsibilities as time progresses.” This shows that you have a specific goal in mind and are taking steps to achieve it.
5. Research the company and job you’re applying for
One way to answer this question is to focus on specific skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a job in sales, you might say that you would like to improve your communication and negotiation skills.
Alternatively, you could talk about a skill that you’ve been working on improving recently and explain how you’ve been doing so. Whatever your answer, be honest and show that you’re committed to continuous learning and growth.
Sample Answers to “What Skills Do You Want to Develop?” for a Job Interview?
When answering the question “What skills do you want to develop?” during a job interview, it is essential to be specific and relevant to the job position you are applying for. Hiring managers may phrase these question in many ways such as:
- What areas need improvement?
- What skills would you like to improve?
- What areas would you like to further develop?
- What are your weaknesses or areas you would like to improve?
- What can you improve about yourself?
- How would you improve your job performance?
- What do you need to improve?
- What would you most like to improve about yourself?
Here are sample answers to help you prepare for your next interview:
1. What skills would you like to improve?
Sample Answer : Communication Skills
“I would like to improve my communication skills, particularly in presenting ideas to a group of people. In my previous job, I found that I struggled to articulate my thoughts clearly and concisely, which made it difficult for my team to understand my ideas. I want to develop my skills in public speaking and presentation so that I can effectively communicate my ideas to my team and clients.”
This answer shows that you have identified a specific area for improvement and have a plan to address it. It also demonstrates your willingness to learn and develop your skills.
2. What areas need improvement?
Sample Answer: Data Analysis Skills
“I want to develop my skills in data analysis. In my current role, I have been responsible for collecting and analyzing data, but I feel that there is still much to learn. I would like to improve my understanding of statistical analysis and data visualization tools to better interpret data and make informed decisions based on the results.”
This answer shows that you have experience in data analysis but are eager to expand your knowledge and skills. It also highlights your ability to use data to make informed decisions.
3. What can you improve about yourself?
Sample Answer: Personal Development Skills
“I believe that personal development is essential for success in any job. I want to develop my skills in time management and organization to be more productive and efficient in my work. I also want to improve my confidence and public speaking skills to be a more effective communicator and leader in my team.”
This answer shows that you are committed to personal growth and development, which is a valuable quality for any employee. It also demonstrates your desire to improve your skills in multiple areas, which can benefit both you and your employer.
4. Sample Answer For a Marketing Role
I’d like to enhance my data analytics skills. While I’m confident in interpreting data, I see the growing importance of data-driven decision-making. I’ve started an online course on advanced analytics techniques and am keen on applying these insights to optimize marketing strategies.
5. Sample Answer For a Technical Job
I would like to improve my knowledge of the latest programming languages, particularly Javascript and Python, to stay on top of tech trends and enhance automation within our processes. I’ve been dedicating time each week to online tutorials and coding challenges.
6. Sample Answer For a Management Position
I’m looking to further develop my skills in strategic planning. I’ve successfully managed teams and projects, but as I seek to move into higher levels of leadership, I recognize the need for a stronger proficiency in long-term strategic thinking. To address this, I’m reading up on industry trends and considering an executive course in strategic management.
7. Sample Answer For a Customer Service Role
I’m working on enhancing my conflict resolution skills. I believe that effectively managing customer concerns is key to customer retention. I am planning to attend a workshop on advanced communication skills to better serve future customers.
Ways to Communicate Skills Improvement to Hiring Managers
When it comes to discussing what skills you would like to improve, it’s important to communicate this effectively to hiring managers during the interview process. Here are some tips on how to do so:
During the Interview
During the remote job interview, you should be prepared to discuss the skills you would like to improve. Be honest and specific about the skills you want to improve, and explain why they are important to you. It is also a part of the answer to the common question tell me more about yourself.
For example, you might say, “I would like to improve my time management skills because I believe it will help me be more productive and efficient in my work.”
Showcasing Confidence and Honesty
When discussing your skills improvement, it’s important to showcase confidence and honesty. This will help you come across as someone who is self-aware and committed to personal development.
Be honest about your current skill level, but also demonstrate that you are willing to put in the effort to improve. For example, you might say, “While I am currently not very proficient in Excel, I am committed to taking an online course to improve my skills.”
Emphasizing Personal Development
Finally, when discussing your skills improvement, it’s important to emphasize your commitment to personal development. This will show hiring managers that you are someone who is always looking to learn and grow.
Be specific about the steps you are taking to improve your skills, whether it’s taking courses, reading books, or seeking out a mentor or teacher. For example, you might say, “I am currently taking a course in project management to improve my skills in this area.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, when answering the interview question “What skills would you like to improve?” it is important to be confident and knowledgeable. By thinking about your existing skills and creating a mental list that ranks or categorizes them based on your comfort or skill level, you can identify areas where you succeed and areas where you could improve.
It is okay to mention areas where you could improve, but make sure to also mention areas where you excel. This shows that you are self-aware and willing to learn and grow.
Overall, answering the question “What skills would you like to improve?” can be a great opportunity to showcase your strengths and goals. By being confident, honest and realistic in your answer, you can leave a positive impression on the interviewer and increase your chances of getting that remote job.
If you are looking for remote jobs, search on remote job focused boards such as DailyRemote. Searching for a remote jobs can be a challenging experience, but it is important to maintain a positive outlook and join like-minded people in our LinkedIn community.
