Interviewing for your dream job? Worried about that final step? It’s your last chance to shine and give a good first impression, after all. 

Most people prepare well for that first face-to-face meeting, but what about the weakness of a job interview? How to answer that?

To get the job, it’s important to frame your weakness positively. The best way to do so is to pick a weakness that shows strength, but how?

This article shows you exactly how to answer the question “What’s your greatest weakness?” in a way that helps you stand out.

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By following the tips we’re about to list, you help maximize your chances of getting accepted for the job you’re applying for. 

Pick a Weakness that Doesn’t Show You as Bad for the Job 

When asked about your greatest weakness, the interviewer is essentially trying to assess your level of self-awareness and self-reflection. 

Interviewers also ask this question to test your honesty about your shortcomings and ability for self-improvement.

Use this question as a chance to show how your weakness can motivate you to improve your skills. It’s ok to have weaknesses; just be smart when mentioning them.

Avoid cliche answers at all costs. “Perfectionism” isn’t a real weakness, and interviewers know that. 

If you believe your greatest weakness is being a “perfectionist,” it’s better to say that you might have “trust issues” to the point that you always have to check that everything is carried out to a tee, which can be time-consuming. 

Interviews don’t expect you to just suddenly overcome your weakness upon getting hired. They do, however, expect you to work on improving yourself. 

That said, all you have to do is simply show the interviewer that you’re aware of your weakness and that you’re trying to overcome it. Remember that learning is an ongoing process.

Make sure your weakness is work-related and isn’t too personal. You can mention a personal weakness if you believe it might affect work. 

According to Forbes, interviewers might think that personal drama would affect your productivity.

Think of the successful people in your field and reflect on the skills and traits you still lack. This can give you insights into how to improve your weaknesses.

You should be confident when talking about your weaknesses. If you can’t, fake it. There’s no need to feel embarrassed about it.

Show How You’ve Turned Your Weakness into a Strength

There’s strength in every weakness. Try to highlight how your weakness can benefit you and others around you. Mention how you might use your weakness to do the job.

Demonstrate a positive attitude and avoid negative words such as “failure” or “unskilled.”

How You Should Talk About Your Weakness in an Interview

Now that you know how to talk about your weakness in a job interview, it’s time to determine what your weakness is. 

Here are some of the best weaknesses to mention in an interview:

“Lack of confidence can sometimes be my biggest setback. I get the feeling that I can’t do certain things like public speaking. However, I’m working on this problem by focusing on my positive impact within the team to boost my confidence.”

This is a full answer. It states the problem, its implications, and ways to overcome it. It also hints that you’ve had some positive impact on your team in the past.

“I’ve always been independent. I used to believe that I can do everything perfectly on my own, but I’ve learned that it can be more beneficial for me and the business to share responsibility with others and ask for help. Everyone is an expert in a certain area. Putting all such expertise together, I managed to produce higher quality work.”

This answer shows the interviewer that you’re independent but also a good team player. You’ve taught yourself how and when to ask for help, which shows a great work ethic. 

“I get impatient when deadlines approach. To overcome this problem, I began to focus on how to help to get the job done on time instead of being frustrated.”

Your answer here puts your weakness in a positive light. Impatience is a weakness, but impatience over missed deadlines isn’t. Deadlines are very important in any workplace, and your answer shows how you work hard to finish tasks on time. 

“My biggest weakness is that I sometimes focus too much, almost obsessively, on details. It’s taken me some time to learn to focus my attention on the bigger picture. I kept reminding myself how giving too much to details affects my productivity and ability to meet deadlines”.

In this answer, you show the interviewer that accuracy is your weakness. Being detail-oriented is a strength. However, focusing too much on details can be a waste of time and effort. 

“I believe my most notable disadvantage is my inability to reject requests. This has overwhelmed me with more work than I could handle. However, a colleague once suggested that I use a project management spreadsheet. It made all the difference. Now, I’m organized enough to know how to say ‘no’ to requests and keep myself focused.”

This is a good answer because it shows you’re aware of the problem and how to solve it. It also highlights a strength in you, which is taking suggestions. The answer frames you as someone who works hard, listens to others, is organized, and knows how to improve.

“I’m never fully satisfied with my work. I always find more improvements or edits. This has cost me a lot of time and effort in the past. However, I’ve learned to filter those additional edits and accept my work.”

In this answer, you indicate your understanding of the problem and willingness to work on it. It also shows that you always work for better quality.

“I sometimes find it hard to make fast decisions. I’m used to taking direct and clear instructions, so I never had the chance to practice. Now, I’m working on this weakness by following my guts and building on past experiences.”

This answer both shows honesty and self-awareness. You have a weakness and you’ve learned how to work on it. 

Inexperience With a Software or a Non-Essential Skill

“I’ve always found trouble in delegating tasks. I feel I can finish the task myself. However, I usually found myself overwhelmed with work, so I learned to use a project management system, which has helped me a lot with this weakness”.

This answer shows that you’re aware of your weakness and ready to challenge it. Make sure you choose a skill that’s not essential for the job you’re interviewing for.

8 Best Weaknesses to Mention in an Interview

So, how do you talk about your weaknesses in a job interview? Simple! You do it proudly and honestly. 

No one expects you to be perfect, and knowing your weakness indicates self-awareness and self-reflection.

Don’t use cliches; simply say your real weakness positively. Strength lies in your ability to overcome or utilize any weakness to your advantage. Make sure you show this in your answer. 

Remember to mention how you can use this weakness to benefit the job. This can be by taking development courses, learning from others, or just conquering your fears.

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Weaknesses for Job Interview: How to Answer This?

How You Should Talk About Your Weakness in an Interview

8 Best Weaknesses to Mention in an Interview

Conclusion