How to Answer ‘What’s Your Greatest Weakness?’ Without Hurting Your Chances
Handled well, the answer can actually help set candidates apart from the competition. Career experts share what interviewers are really looking for and how to deliver a response that lands.
It's among the most dreaded questions anyone can face in a job interview, and it's surprisingly easy to fumble. However, answering "What's your greatest weakness?" doesn't have to be complicated.
A woman sitting with her back to the camera during an interview. | Source: Getty Images
While no one looks forward to it, hiring managers ask this question to gauge your self-awareness and your ability to recognize areas for improvement.
"They're trying to assess if you are somebody who has the personality and social and emotional awareness [to admit] that everybody does have a weakness, and that you are aware of your weaknesses or areas of growth," says Rachel Kim, a career coach at SoFi.
She continues, "Second, they're assessing whether you have either taken steps or found resources to address them, especially any that are appropriate for the position or the responsibilities that you're taking on."
A man answering a question during an interview | Source: Getty Images
A thoughtful, honest answer can turn this into one of the most human moments of your interview, and it might even help your interviewer envision you fitting right in with the team.
Below are a few tips to help you stay composed and move one step closer to landing the job.
- Address the question head-on: Kim advises taking the question seriously and steering clear of weaknesses that come out of left field, such as guilty pleasures like chocolate or reality TV. Instead, choose a professional weakness that occasionally comes into play for you.
- Steer clear of 'I'm too dedicated to my job': Disguising a weakness as a trait that makes you look like the ideal employee is an easy trap to fall into. Take an answer such as, "I just can't stop working. If there is something to be completed, I will stay at my desk until it's completed, no matter what." It may seem impressive at first glance. However, it can also come across as a "kiss up."
- Ask for feedback: Reach out to former coworkers and managers for their take on your strengths and areas for growth, then look for the traits they mention most often.
- Choose wisely: Be mindful of the weakness you choose to share. For example, don't admit that you're not the strongest writer or editor if that's a key responsibility or qualification for the role. Instead, mention a weakness that won't hinder your ability to perform the job, devoting about 10% of your response to explaining it and 90% to describing the steps you're taking to improve.
A woman smiling while speaking to a hiring manager | Source: Getty Images
It's worth noting that hiring managers rarely use the exact wording "What's your greatest weakness?" these days, having found ways to rephrase it so it feels less intimidating for candidates.
Instead, they might ask something like, "Tell me about a time you made a professional mistake that could have set you back, and how you bounced back." Even so, the tips above still apply.
Ultimately, no one expects candidates to be flawless. By preparing an honest answer and showing how you're working to grow, you can turn one of the most intimidating interview questions into a chance to stand out.