How do I answer " What is your biggest weakness?" in an interview?

Interviewers may ask this question in various ways, including “Tell me about a weakness you have”, "Tell me about a time you faced a challenge at work and how you dealt with it.", "What areas do you feel you need to improve on?", "Describe a time you failed and what you learned from it." or "What negative feedback have you received from previous supervisors or peers?".  

It can be tricky question to answer, but it’s a great opportunity to show self-awareness, honesty, and our ability to improve. Here’s a step-by-step guide for creating an effective response:

1.     Be Honest but Strategic:

Choose a real weakness, but one that is not critical to the core responsibilities of the job. Select a weakness that is genuine and avoid clichés like "I'm a perfectionist" unless we can genuinely explain it constructively.

2.     Show Self-Awareness:

We must demonstrate that we have thought about how we can improve and understand how this can impact our work.

3.     Highlight Improvement:

Briefly describe how this weakness has been impactful, but ensure to emphasise how we have improved upon this weakness.

4.     Keep It Positive:

Frame our answer in a way that shows we are proactive and committed to personal & professional growth. Conclude by highlighting the progress we’ve made and how this weakness has been mitigated.

Sample Response

Example: People Pleaser

Weakness: "A weakness I have definitely come to terms with is that I’m naturally a bit of a people pleaser"

Example and Impact: "In my previous role as a HR manager, I was responsible for coordinating between different departments and the HR team for a large project. I ensured everyone was on the same page and tasks were completed. In the early stages, several times I expressed an opinion that was then disagreed with by other leads on the project. Each time I found they would get their way even if it was an item directly in my remit. I realised that I was backing down from strong opinions too easily, as it was naturally my manner. I discussed this with my manager and we found tactics for me to work on this and not be talked over. Gradually, I made a concerted effort to stand firmer and have my points heard. If I wasn’t convinced by others’ logic, I wouldn’t back down and instead would suggest it be brought to the programme manager for their decision. In this way I have become a strong, but not stubborn, manager. I understand that in this role, I will be responsible for a significant team and will be required to make decisions and stand over them when talking to stakeholders. Although still very pleasant in the workplace, I now ensure that my team and I’s voice is heard".

As per usual, remember to be concise, detailed & specific but not prolonged. Ensure we are selecting a relevant, honest weakness, but not one that will damage our candidacy or that we can’t back-up with a positive outcome. We have to be able to describe specific actions we’ve taken to improve in this area and be able to end on a positive note.

Lastly, like the other questions in this series, make sure to rehearse the answer prior. A thoughtful answer delivered smoothly will turn a question about weaknesses into an opportunity to demonstrate our self-awareness, honesty and commitment to improvement.

Looking for help with making your interview skills not a weakness? Get in touch!