Weaknesses for Job Interview: How to Answer

"What are your weaknesses?" is a common, yet tricky, interview question. It's not about admitting defeat; it's about demonstrating self-awareness and a commitment to growth. Learn how to navigate this question effectively and showcase your potential.

Why Interviewers Ask About Weaknesses

Interviewers aren't trying to trip you up. They want to assess your self-awareness, honesty, and ability to learn and improve. A well-crafted answer can highlight your strengths and demonstrate your proactive approach to personal development. It shows you understand your areas for improvement and are actively working on them.

Top Strategies for Answering "What Are Your Weaknesses?"

Here's how to frame your weaknesses in a positive light, inspired by industry-leading career resources and successful interview strategies:

• Choose a Real WeaknessDon't offer a humblebrag ("I'm a perfectionist"). Select a genuine area where you're actively trying to improve.
• Provide Context and ExamplesExplain how the weakness manifests itself. Use a specific example of a time it impacted your work.
• Focus on ImprovementThe most important part! Describe the steps you're taking to address the weakness. What strategies are you using?
• Keep it ProfessionalAvoid personal weaknesses that are not relevant to the job

Example Weaknesses and How to Frame Them

• "I sometimes struggle with delegating tasks effectively.""In the past, I've been hesitant to delegate because I wanted to ensure everything was done to my standards. However, I realized this wasn't scalable and led to burnout. I'm now actively working on trusting my team members, providing clear instructions, and offering support when needed. I've also started using project management tools to track progress and ensure accountability."
• "I can be overly critical of my own work.""I hold myself to high standards, which can sometimes lead to me spending too much time perfecting details. Recently, I've been practicing the 80/20 rule, focusing on delivering the core value first and then refining as needed. This has helped me become more efficient and prioritize effectively."
• "Public speaking isn't my strongest skill.""While I'm comfortable presenting to small groups, I sometimes feel nervous when speaking in front of larger audiences. To improve, I've joined a local Toastmasters club and I'm volunteering to present at team meetings more frequently. I'm also focusing on practicing my delivery and receiving feedback."

What NOT to Say

1. Don't Say You Have No WeaknessesThis comes across as disingenuous and lacking self-awareness.
2. Avoid Humblebrags"I work too hard" or "I'm too detail-oriented" are not genuine weaknesses.
3. Don't Blame OthersFrame the weakness as something you are personally working on improving.
4. Stay away from weaknesses that are critical for the role.If applying for a coding job don't say you are not good at debugging.

Key Takeaways

Answering "What are your weaknesses?" is an opportunity to showcase your self-awareness, commitment to growth, and ability to learn. By choosing a genuine weakness, providing context, and focusing on improvement, you can turn a potentially negative question into a positive reflection of your character and potential.