How to Answer "What is Your Greatest Weakness?"

How to Answer What is Your Greatest Weakness  in a Job Interview

What would you say is your greatest weakness?

It is a cliché query, but nevertheless a common interview question you are likely to encounter at most job interviews. And if you have struggled to answer this question in the past, do not be too hard on yourself. Many find it difficult to answer.

After all, how should you respond? Should you be honest? Or will your honesty do more harm than good?

To prepare for that next job interview, here is how to prepare and talk about your biggest weaknesses when asked.

Know Your Weakness

Before you can ever hope to answer this common job interview question, you need to think about your biggest, job-related weaknesses.

Be honest with yourself as you go through this process of self-evaluation. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, so write down your personal list.

Some common weaknesses on the job include:

• Inexperience with a particular software
• Tendency to take on too much responsibility
• Fear of public speaking
• Hesitancy to delegate tasks

Once you have completed your list of weaknesses, compare that list with the essential skills required to perform the job for which you are applying and interviewing.  This is to make sure that when you disclose your weakness, you are not naming anything that could disqualify you for the position.

For example, if you are applying to be a copywriter, you probably should not disclose that you type slowly or spell poorly. But it might be safe to disclose that you fear public speaking or hesitate to delegate tasks.

Put a Positive Spin on Your Weakness

Once you have shared your weakness, craft a response to put it in a positive light.

For example, avoid using words like “failure” or “incapable”. In other words, do not say you are incapable of speaking in front of people, say you have a fear of speaking in front of people.

Another great way to add a positive spin when talking about your biggest weakness in a job interview is to discuss how you are working to overcome it.

The best way to do this is with a story or example.  Put “show, don’t tell” into practice. “Show, don’t tell” is a writing technique whereby the writer uses a story to describe attributes or a setting rather than just using descriptive words. It is more effective to share a story showing when you were brave rather than just saying you are brave.

So, have a story ready with an example of how you addressed your weakness, or are working to overcome it.

Keep it Short

Keep your answer and story short and concise.

Your biggest weakness should not be the focus of the job interview. You would rather be talking about your strengths, so make sure the time you devote to weaknesses does not overtake the time you spend talking about strengths.

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