What Are Your Weaknesses? How to Answer This Interview Question
"What are your weaknesses?" is one of the trickiest questions in any job interview. It's designed to test your self-awareness, honesty, and commitment to personal growth. A strong answer can actually boost your credibility and show you're a thoughtful, growth-oriented professional.
Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question?
Interviewers want to:
- Test your ability to recognize and acknowledge areas for improvement
- Assess your growth mindset and approach to personal development
- Evaluate your honesty and authenticity in a professional setting
What Are They Looking For?
When you answer, interviewers are assessing:
- Level of self-awareness
- Proactive approach to improvement
- Strategic thinking about development
- Ability to turn weaknesses into opportunities
- Honesty and professionalism
How to Structure Your Answer
A strong answer follows this structure:
1. Identify a Genuine (But Not Critical) Weakness
Choose a real weakness that won't undermine your ability to do the job. Avoid clichés and don't pick something essential to the role.
2. Explain Steps You've Taken to Improve
Show that you're proactive by describing specific actions you've taken to address your weakness.
3. Share Your Ongoing Development Plan
End on a positive note by explaining how you're continuing to work on this area and what you've learned.
Example Answer
"One area I've been working on is delegating tasks. Earlier in my career, I tended to take on too much myself, wanting to ensure everything was perfect. I realized this limited my team's growth and my own efficiency. Over the past year, I've focused on building trust with my team and assigning responsibilities more effectively. I've seen great results—my team is more engaged, and projects move faster. I'm still working on letting go, but I'm proud of the progress I've made."
Tips for a Great Response
- Choose a real weakness that isn't critical to the job
- Explain specific steps you're taking to improve
- Focus on professional, not personal, weaknesses
- Show self-awareness and proactivity
- Demonstrate your commitment to growth
- Be honest but strategic in your choice
- End on a positive note about your improvement efforts
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using cliché responses like "I'm a perfectionist"
- Choosing a weakness critical to the job
- Not showing any improvement efforts
- Being too honest about serious flaws
- Claiming to have no weaknesses