How to Answer The "What are Your Weaknesses" Interview Question

Key Takeaways

Point	Description
Be honest	Choose a real weakness, not a fake one
Pick a minor weakness	Don't choose a weakness related to key job skills
Discuss how you're improving	Explain the steps you're taking to overcome the weakness
Keep it brief	Don't dwell on the weakness, move on quickly
Practice your answer	Rehearse what you'll say ahead of time

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What Are Your Weaknesses?

The dreaded "What are your weaknesses?" interview question. It's tricky, but with the right approach, you can give an answer that impresses the hiring manager. Here's how to handle this common question and stand out from other job seekers.

Why Interviewers Ask About Weaknesses

Interviewers ask about your weaknesses for a few reasons:

To see if you have self-awareness and can be honest about your shortcomings
To understand potential areas you may struggle with in the role
To gauge how you deal with challenges and improve yourself

It's a way for them to get a more complete view of you as a candidate, beyond just your strengths and accomplishments.

The Best Approach for Answering

When choosing a weakness to discuss, follow these tips:

Be honest - Don't try to dodge the question or give a fake weakness like "I work too hard". Interviewers will see right through it. Pick an genuine weakness.
Keep it minor - The weakness you choose should be relatively unimportant for the job. Avoid mentioning weaknesses related to critical skills for the role. For example, don't say you're bad at time management if you're applying for a project manager position.
Discuss your plan for improvement - The key to a good answer is showing the steps you're taking to improve on your weakness. This demonstrates self-awareness, initiative and problem-solving skills. Share the tactics you're using to get better.
Be concise - Don't dwell too much on your weakness or ramble in your explanation. Keep your answer to-the-point. Briefly state the weakness, what you're doing to improve, then move on.

Example Answers

Here are some examples of how you might respond:

I sometimes have trouble delegating tasks to others. I'm detail-oriented and like having control over my work. But I've realized that to be an effective leader, I need to be better about empowering and trusting my team. I'm working on giving clear instructions up front and check-in regularly, rather than micromanaging. It's still a work-in-progress, but I'm seeing improvement.

Public speaking makes me nervous. I get anxious presenting in front of large groups. To get more comfortable, I've been volunteering to lead team meetings and present at company events. I also joined Toastmasters to practice my public speaking skills. It's still not my favorite thing to do, but I'm gaining confidence each time I present.

I can be shy and introverted, so networking and socializing at work events doesn't come naturally to me. But I know it's important for building relationships. I've been pushing myself to attend more optional social gatherings and make an effort to connect with coworkers. I also set goals for myself, like introducing myself to a few new people at each event.

The overall formula is:

State your weakness clearly and concisely
Give a brief example of how it's negatively impacted you
Discuss 2-3 ways you're proactively working to improve
Mention the progress you've seen so far

This shows that you're self-aware, dedicated to self-improvement, and taking concrete steps to overcome your shortcomings - all attractive qualities in a job candidate.

Mistakes to Avoid

When answering this question, be sure to avoid these common mistakes:

Don't claim to have no weaknesses. Everyone has room for improvement and claiming otherwise will seem insincere.
Don't choose a weakness that's a key requirement for the job. Keep your weakness relatively minor and not central to the role.
Don't give a long-winded answer. Keep your response concise and focused.
Don't just state a weakness and end your answer there. Always include details about how you're working to improve.

How to Prepare Your Answer

As with any interview question, it's best to prepare your response to "What are your weaknesses?" ahead of time. Here's how:

Reflect honestly on your areas for improvement. Jot down a list of your weaknesses, big and small.
Review the job description. Make sure your weakness isn't related to a core skill required for the role.
Choose one weakness from your list to focus on in your answer. Pick one that's minor and that you're actively improving.
Outline the steps you're taking to improve. What actions have you taken? What progress have you seen? Jot down specifics.
Practice delivering your answer out loud. Rehearse your response until you can deliver it confidently and concisely.
Be prepared for follow-up questions. The interviewer may ask for additional details, so think through a few examples ahead of time.

Putting in the prep work upfront will help you feel more confident and deliver a compelling answer in the moment.

Key Things to Remember

In summary, here are the most important things to keep in mind when answering "What are your weaknesses?" in a job interview:

Be honest and authentic in your response
Choose a weakness that's genuine but not a core requirement for the role
Focus on the steps you're taking to improve, not dwelling on the weakness itself
Practice your answer ahead of time so you can deliver it confidently
Keep your response concise and to-the-point

With the right approach and preparation, you can tackle this tricky question and impress the hiring manager with your self-awareness, proactive attitude and dedication to self-improvement. Those are attractive qualities that will help you stand out from other candidates and land the job. Good luck!

Learn more about Christian jobs that intersect with technology at Christian Tech Jobs. Whether you're exploring careers in faith-based organizations, hiring Christian talent, or seeking to combine your tech skills with your spiritual values, find your path in a place where technology and faith meet.