To effectively answer the interview question "What are your weaknesses?", follow these expert guidelines:
How to Structure Your Answer
- State a genuine weakness: Choose a real area where you have room to improve, ideally one that does not critically impair your ability to perform the job you’re applying for
- Explain the impact: Briefly describe how this weakness has affected your work or professional development, showing self-awareness
- Describe your efforts to improve: Discuss specific actions you have taken to address the weakness, such as training, seeking feedback, or practicing new skills. This demonstrates maturity and a proactive mindset
- Share positive results or ongoing progress: If possible, provide an example of how your efforts have led to improvement, showing that you are a problem-solver and committed to growth
Tips for Choosing and Presenting Weaknesses
- Avoid cliché or insincere answers like "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard," as they can seem disingenuous
- Pick weaknesses that are relevant but not essential to the role, so you don't raise red flags about your suitability
- Frame your weakness positively, focusing on how you are actively working to overcome it rather than just stating the flaw
- Keep your response concise and focused, so you spend more time highlighting your strengths and fit for the role
Example Answer
"My greatest weakness has been my discomfort with delegating tasks. I tend to take on too much myself because I want to ensure everything is done correctly. However, I realized this can limit team efficiency, so I’ve been working on building trust with colleagues and learning to delegate more effectively. For example, in my last project, I started assigning specific tasks to team members and providing support rather than doing everything alone. This has improved our workflow and allowed me to focus on higher-level responsibilities"
. This approach shows honesty, self-awareness, and a commitment to improvement, which interviewers value
. In summary, the best way to answer "What are your weaknesses?" is to honestly identify a real weakness, explain how it has impacted you, describe the steps you're taking to improve, and share positive outcomes or ongoing progress. This demonstrates self-awareness, responsibility, and a growth mindset.
