How to Answer the Most Dreaded Question in a Job Interview

All your hustle has paid off, and you’ve gotten an interview for that dream job. You’ve done all your homework. You read up about the company ahead of time. You walked in confidently, gave the interviewer a good handshake and greeting, and breezed through the first set of questions. You’ve answered questions about your background, your skills, and why you’d be a good match for the company. You’re just starting to relax a bit, when, all of a sudden, there it comes:

“What would you say is your biggest weakness?”

Suddenly your hands are sweating and your mind goes blank. What in the world should you say?

The “weakness” question is a common one in job interviews, and it’s one that people have the toughest time answering. But how you answer it can make all the difference. Since it is likely that your interviewer will ask some version of this question, it makes sense to plan out how to respond ahead of time.

Why do interviewers love this question? After all, they can’t expect a job candidate to confess their biggest flaws while they’re trying to get hired! Still, it can be a very good way to learn more about the candidate. With this question, employers attempt to sweep past the veil of the carefully crafted, professional image that candidates present at an interview, and take a peek at the “real” person… or so they hope. Of course, they know that you have probably prepared for this question, too, and that your answer will be rehearsed. Here’s what they really hope to learn when they ask this question:

1. Are you easily rattled?

Even though they know this question is coming, many people freeze up or get defensive. The way you respond to an uncomfortable question is a good indicator of your personality and communications skills.

2. Are you self-aware?

Do you have a good understanding of where you need to improve? If you can demonstrate insight into your strengths and weaknesses, you show thoughtfulness that employers value.

3. Are you being (reasonably) honest?

Do you try to dodge the question, or claim to not be able to think of a weakness? This may lead them to think that you are being deceitful, or are trying to hide a truly horrible weakness. Or maybe that you think you’re perfect. Or that you have really low standards. There’s no need to go overboard on honesty, however – this is not the time to share that you have a nasty temper, for example.

How do you use the question to demonstrate your drive for improvement?

Your answer to this question tells interviewers a lot about your character, your poise, your communication skills, your self-awareness, your resilience, and your desire and capacity for growth. So, here’s how to approach this potential minefield.

First, prepare and practice – but not too much. You don’t want to recite a memorized answer, no matter how appealing that may be. Work on what you want to communicate, but then be prepared to speak about it naturally.

Select your weakness. You may have heard that it’s a good idea to take strength and re-cast it as a weakness. For example, many sources tell you to say that you are a perfectionist – supposedly a “weakness” that a boss will like. Or that you work too hard.

The trouble is that this type of response has become a cliché. Your interviewer has heard this type of answer over and over, and doesn’t believe a word of it. But if you don’t use strength disguised as a weakness, then what’s the right answer? Obviously, you don’t want to use a weakness that could cost you the job.

The best idea is to pick a genuine weakness that doesn’t have much impact on the job you are applying for. If you are applying for an accounting job, for example, you can talk about not being very good at public speaking. If you are applying for a creative job, you can talk about not being good with numbers. Try to keep it work-related, not personal. Don’t mention having trouble getting up in the morning and making it into work on time. Don’t mention any problems you may have interacting with other people. If you can’t think of something that’s work-ish but totally unrelated to your field, pick something that is a very minor part of your responsibilities.

Here’s the real trick. You must pick a weakness that you have been actively working on improving, even if it doesn’t affect your job now, and follow up the question with evidence of that effort toward improving.

Describe your weakness briefly. Be clear about the parameters of your weakness, if necessary, so it’s obvious that it doesn’t affect your ability to do the job. For example: “I get really nervous if I have to speak in front of a large group of people. I’m fine in small meetings, but if I have to get up behind a podium, I start to sweat.”

“Own” the weakness, and mention why it’s a problem or why you’re motivated to change. If the interviewer does not sense authenticity, it could be strike against you, but if they feel you’re being sincere, they will pay attention. For example: “It really bothers me that I get so nervous about this, even though it’s not something I need for work. I think it’s a good skill to have, because learning to speak in front of big groups builds poise, leadership and a different type of communication skills than dealing with people in small groups.”

Then – and this is key – follow up immediately by demonstrating exactly what steps you have already taken to improve this weakness. “I signed up for Toastmasters, a group where you learn public speaking. I’ve already presented three times, and each time I think I’m getting better.” This shows that you are proactively working to improve. It shows that you are motivated and that you are a self-starter.

Interviewers know that no one is perfect. But someone who knows where they need to improve, and works on strengthening those areas, show the kind of drive employers look for. This dreaded interview question, if answered well, could be the most powerful part of your interview, and help you land that coveted job.