What is your weakness? This question is arguably the trickiest interview question that can be asked in a job interview. It is tricky because the interviewer is asking you to be honest about your flaws, and in the same vein, if you mention a flaw that they feel they can handle, it jeopardises your chances of landing the job.
Before going into how to and how not to answer this question, why exactly do interviewers ask this question?
The tough answer is that they are trying to shake you up a little. The truth is that even if you have prepared to answer this question, the best of us will still prefer not to be asked this question. And really, nobody can blame you; you want to be interviewed to put your best foot forward and not your worst.
However, interviewers want to see beneath the prim and proper appearance you have prepared for the interview. They want to know the human beneath because, at the end of it all, no matter how skilled or talented you are, they will have to deal with the human. You will be working with people, and your flaws are bound to show, whether you like it or not.
So, they are simply trying to prepare themselves for it.
But more importantly, the interviewer wants to know that you are self-aware; that you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Being self-aware is the first step to self-improvement.
You might say, “Why bother when they won’t even get the 100% honest answer?” The truth is that they know you will not tell them if you are troublesome or a rumour monger. However, the way you answer the question will also give them a glimpse into who you are.
Many candidates, unfortunately, trip over this question or take the wrong approach to answer it.
Taking a positive approach: You might be tempted to want to take the clichéd “I am a perfectionist” route. However, interviewers have heard this so many times and therefore, will likely not fall for it. It gives off the impression that you are not self-aware or that you are telling a lie. So, as clever as it sounds, taking this route will probably be counterproductive.
Saying you don't have a weakness: The fact that this is a very wrong approach cannot be overemphasised; it makes you come off as phoney because really, who doesn’t have a weakness?
Not having an answer: This reveals unpreparedness. If you have no answer to provide, it just communicates that you are not prepared or not quick on your feet; either way, it is not a good look.
Mention the wrong weakness: While the interviewer expects honesty, the last thing you want to do is over-share or over-confess. You shouldn’t mention a weakness that will affect your efficiency on the job; it will ruin your chances of getting the job. For instance, no interviewer will employ you if you confess to being lazy or tardy.
Having said that, what are the right ways to answer the question?
Be honest: Honesty will always go a long way; it might seem like the idea is to be dishonest, but you are likely to win the interviewer over to your side if they can see sincerity. Don't invent a weakness that you don't have, just because it sounds good. You must create a list of actual inadequacies that you have before attending the interview. This is because while some recruiters will be comfortable with you mentioning one, some might pluralise their question or prompt you to say more.
Mention a weakness that has nothing to do with the job: While honesty is essential, you will be making a mistake if you mention a weakness that will affect your career. After you have made a list of all your weaknesses (you likely have more than one), stick to the ones on your list that will not impact your job. If you are unsure, check the vacancy details for job description and requirements, so you know what to mention and what not to mention. For instance, you cannot apply for a technical position and say you have issues with numbers or a nursing position and say you don't like being around people. Specific weaknesses will likely affect the job and shouldn’t be mentioned.
Mention how you are working on it: The interviewer wants to know that you are self-aware, but they also want to know that you are improving. So, make sure you conclude on a positive note, describing the steps you are taking to improve yourself. You could mention taking a class, joining a group, reading certain books, or just going the extra mile by challenging yourself.
There are quite a good number of people who are perfectionists, and being one isn’t exactly a bad thing. If, for instance, you are used to spending way too much time rechecking something that was already done, or delaying a project because one tiny piece didn’t feel perfect, then you know it can become a problem. This is how to turn it into a strength during an interview.
Example:
“I used to spend a lot of time tweaking reports or double-checking my work to make sure I get the best. Now, I focus on meeting deadlines first, then refining if there's time left.”
Most people find public speaking intimidating, even if they’re confident in other areas. You could be excellent at your job, a great communicator in one-on-ones, and still get nervous when it’s your turn to stand in front of a group. If you have this as a weakness, this is how to frame your answer.
Example:
“I used to get nervous presenting in front of teams, but I’ve been pushing myself to take on more speaking opportunities so I can get more comfortable with it.”
If you are the kind of person who worries that things won’t get done right unless you do them yourself, you will relate to this one. Delegation is a skill, and it takes time to trust others with tasks you’re used to handling on your own. This is especially true if you’ve worked in fast-paced environments or in roles where you had to manage everything yourself. If this is your biggest weakness, this is the best way to answer when asked.
Example:
“I used to have a hard time delegating because I felt like I needed to do everything myself, but I’ve learned to share tasks and trust others more. So far, from experience, it has made projects go smoother.”
Overthinking can slow you down, especially when you get caught up in trying to find the perfect solution instead of choosing a good one and moving forward. It can also cause hesitation in fast-paced environments where quick decision-making is essential. Do you have this weakness? This is how to say it at a job interview:
Example:
“I used to spend too much time weighing every option before making decisions, but I’ve been working on trusting my instincts and moving forward with more confidence.”
When you care about productivity and results, it can be frustrating to work with outdated systems or inefficient processes. But getting impatient doesn’t solve the problem; it just makes it harder to collaborate. If this sounds familiar, it’s a significant weakness to mention as long as you explain that you’ve learned to channel that frustration into problem-solving and improvement instead.
Example:
“I get frustrated when things feel unnecessarily slow or inefficient, but I’ve learned to approach those situations constructively by suggesting improvements.”
Do you sometimes come across as a little blunt? While directness can be a strength, not everyone receives it well. Framing this as a weakness demonstrates that you’re aware of your communication style and are learning to adjust it based on the audience. This is what every good professional eventually comes to understand. Here is how to phrase it when asked:
Example:
“I’ve always been a very straightforward communicator, but I’ve been learning to be more mindful of tone and delivery, especially in sensitive situations.”
Being helpful and eager to contribute is great, but it can become a problem when you say yes to everything, even when your table is full. Over time, this can lead to you falling behind on your priorities, especially at work. This is one way to demonstrate how you’ve learned to establish healthy boundaries while remaining a team player.
Example:
“I used to say yes to every request because I wanted to be helpful, but I’ve learned that setting limits helps me manage my time and deliver better results.”
Most people need a little time to adjust to change. Sudden shifts in plans or processes can initially throw them off. If this is your weakness, it helps to use this example to show that while change doesn’t always come naturally to you, you’re already learning to adapt more quickly.
Example:
“I’ve always been someone who likes to plan, so unexpected changes used to throw me off, but I’ve been working on being more flexible and solution-focused when plans shift.”
It is not always a weakness that is a personality trait. It can also be a gap in experience. If a job requires something you’re not yet an expert in, like a software or technical skill, it’s perfectly fine to acknowledge that. This example provides one of the most effective approaches to addressing this type of weakness during an interview.
Example:
“I haven’t had a lot of hands-on experience with Excel, but I’ve been actively learning it through tutorials and side projects so I can get up to speed quickly.”
Feedback is essential for growth, but it’s not always easy to hear, especially when you care deeply about your work. If you’ve found yourself taking criticism to heart, it’s something worth acknowledging. This is how to demonstrate that you’re learning to distinguish between your personal feelings and professional feedback, and using it as a catalyst for improvement.
Example:
“I used to take feedback a little too personally, but I’ve learned to view it as a tool to get better instead of a judgment on my abilities.”
Not everyone is comfortable with confrontation, even when it’s necessary. If you’ve ever avoided tough conversations or hesitated to speak up during disagreements, you know how hard it can be. However, learning to handle conflict constructively is an essential part of professional growth.
Example:
“I’ve always avoided conflict because I prefer peace, but I’ve realised that speaking up respectfully can solve issues faster and create stronger teamwork.”
Not everyone is naturally outgoing, especially in professional or unfamiliar social settings. But since relationship-building is part of almost every job, this weakness gives you a chance to talk about how you’re stretching your comfort zone without pretending to be someone you’re not. See how best to explain it at a job interview.
Example:
“I’ve never been the most outgoing person, so networking used to feel uncomfortable, but I’ve started approaching it more as building genuine connections.”
This one is common to many creatives, especially those in design, writing, or marketing. This is how to put it without hurting your job prospects.
Example:
“I used to struggle with sharing creative work before it felt fully finished, but I’ve learned that early feedback often makes the final result stronger.”
High achievers sometimes struggle with self-doubt, even when they’re doing great work. You might constantly second-guess your decisions or feel like you haven’t earned your seat at the table, even when others see your value. This is often linked to impostor syndrome, and it’s more common than people admit. If this sounds like you, it’s okay to be honest about it, as long as you demonstrate that you’re working on building confidence and embracing your strengths.
Example:
“I can be overly critical of my work, even when others are happy with it. I’ve been working on trusting my abilities more and recognising my progress.”
Playing it safe can be valuable in certain situations, but it can also hinder progress. If you tend to be overly cautious, it’s a great chance to show how you’re learning to evaluate risks more confidently.
Example:
“I used to hesitate when it came to making changes or taking risks, but I’ve been working on assessing situations more objectively and acting when the benefits outweigh the uncertainty.”
When you care deeply about doing a good job, it’s easy to feel like everything deserves your full attention. But learning to focus on the most impactful tasks is a valuable skill.
Example:
“I used to struggle with prioritising when everything felt urgent, but I’ve learned to step back, assess deadlines and impact. This helps me focus on what drives the most value.”
When you are passionate about doing a good job, it’s easy to be self-critical when you make mistakes. This is how to turn it into a strength when asked about it during a job interview.
Example:
“I used to be hard on myself when I made mistakes because I care about quality work, but I’ve come to understand that mistakes happen and it’s important to learn from them rather than beating myself up and letting it affect other deliverables.”
Not all tasks are exciting, but learning how to stay focused and productive even when work feels routine is an important skill. See how to explain it below:
Example:
“I’ve found it challenging to stay fully engaged with repetitive tasks, but I’ve been building systems and habits to stay focused and ensure quality is maintained.”
Many professionals hesitate to ask questions, worried it might reflect poorly on them. But asking the right questions is a strength.
Example:
“I used to avoid asking questions because I didn’t want to seem like I didn’t know what I was doing, but I’ve realised that clarifying things early actually shows initiative and improves my performance.”
This is a common weakness for many career professionals. It can wear one out and affect the quality of work. If you have been in situations where you had to juggle too many tasks at once, it’s worth talking about how you have learned to set boundaries and prioritise. See a good example below:
Example:
“I used to take on too many responsibilities because I didn’t want to let anyone down, but I’ve learned to manage my workload by setting clearer priorities.”
Next time, when you are in a job interview and you are asked this tricky interview question, remember the tips we shared in this article on how to answer the question "What is your greatest weakness". Another popular interview question you should be aware of is the interview question, “Tell me about yourself”.
Learn How to Answer the " Tell Me About Yourself Interview Question
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