Can Best Weaknesses To Say In An Interview Be Your Secret Weapon For Acing Your Next Interview
Written by
James Miller, Career Coach
Navigating the interview question, "What is your greatest weakness?" can feel like walking a tightrope. Say the wrong thing, and you risk undermining your candidacy. Say the right thing, however, and you can transform a potential pitfall into an opportunity to showcase self-awareness, honesty, and a commitment to growth. Understanding the best weaknesses to say in an interview is not about deception, but strategic transparency. This guide will equip you with the insights and tools to master this crucial aspect of professional communication, whether for a job, a college admission, or even a high-stakes sales call.
Why Do Interviewers Ask About the best weaknesses to say in an interview
Many candidates dread this question, viewing it as a trap. But what do employers really want to learn when they ask about your best weaknesses to say in an interview? It's less about identifying a fatal flaw and more about gauging your self-awareness, honesty, and genuine desire for improvement [^1]. They want to see that you understand your limitations and, more importantly, that you are actively working to overcome them. Common misconceptions include believing you should deny having weaknesses or disguise a strength as a weakness (e.g., "I work too hard"). These approaches often backfire, signaling a lack of introspection rather than demonstrating the best weaknesses to say in an interview.
What Makes a Good Example of the best weaknesses to say in an interview
Choosing the best weaknesses to say in an interview requires a thoughtful approach. A good weakness is:
Honest but not a dealbreaker: It must be a genuine area for improvement, but one that wouldn't disqualify you from the role or context [^2]. Avoid weaknesses that are core to the essential functions of the job.
Reflective of self-awareness and willingness to grow: The interviewer wants to see that you've identified this area yourself and are proactive about addressing it.
Paired with actions taken to improve: This is critical. Simply stating a weakness isn't enough; you must describe the concrete steps you're taking to overcome it.
Relevant to the context but not a critical skill: For instance, if you're applying for a data entry role, "poor attention to detail" would be a deal-breaker, but "struggling with public speaking" might be acceptable if the role doesn't require it. These are characteristics of the best weaknesses to say in an interview.
What are Some Examples of the best weaknesses to say in an interview
Finding the best weaknesses to say in an interview often involves reframing a challenge into an opportunity for growth. Here are several examples:
Being overly self-critical: You might mention that you used to dwell excessively on minor mistakes, but you've learned to balance striving for quality with delivering on deadlines, and focus more on continuous improvement rather than perfectionism.
Difficulty delegating tasks: Explain that you once felt it was quicker to do everything yourself, but you've since learned the importance of trusting team members and empowering others to achieve collective goals, often leading to better overall results.
Struggling with public speaking: Acknowledge discomfort in large group presentations, but emphasize steps taken, such as joining Toastmasters, volunteering for smaller presentations, or taking a communication course. This demonstrates your commitment to improving this particular best weaknesses to say in an interview.
Impatience: This can be reframed as a strong drive to meet deadlines and see projects through. Explain that you're working on cultivating more patience in scenarios beyond your control, recognizing that not all processes can be rushed.
Taking too much time focusing on details: While attention to detail is often a strength, too much can impede progress. You can explain that you're learning to prioritize and discern when meticulous detail is necessary versus when a broader perspective is more effective. This is about finding balance in your approach to the best weaknesses to say in an interview.
These examples of the best weaknesses to say in an interview highlight a growth mindset and actionable steps.
What Should You Avoid When Discussing the best weaknesses to say in an interview
Just as important as knowing the best weaknesses to say in an interview is knowing what to avoid. Steer clear of:
Weaknesses disguised as strengths: Phrases like "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard" are clichéd and don't demonstrate genuine self-reflection [^3].
Non-related personal weaknesses: An inability to cook or a fear of heights are irrelevant to most professional contexts. Stick to work-related improvements when discussing the best weaknesses to say in an interview.
Weaknesses that directly impair essential job functions: If the job requires strong analytical skills, stating "I'm not good with numbers" is a disqualifier.
Denying having any weaknesses: This makes you seem unaware, arrogant, or dishonest, which can be detrimental to your candidacy. Everyone has areas for improvement, and acknowledging them shows maturity.
How Can You Effectively Frame the best weaknesses to say in an interview
Framing is everything when discussing the best weaknesses to say in an interview. The most effective method is often the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or a variation of it.
Identify the Weakness: Clearly state the specific area you're working on.
Provide Context: Briefly explain a situation where this weakness became apparent or challenging.
Describe Actions Taken: Detail the concrete steps you've implemented to address and improve this weakness. This is where your commitment to growth shines.
Highlight Results/Progress: Explain the positive outcomes or progress you've made as a result of your efforts. Even small improvements demonstrate a valuable growth mindset [^4].
For instance, when discussing impatience, you might say: "A best weaknesses to say in an interview I've been actively working on is my impatience. In a previous role, I sometimes grew frustrated when projects faced unforeseen delays (Situation). I realized this wasn't productive and affected team morale (Task). So, I started proactively developing contingency plans, practicing mindfulness, and improving my communication with stakeholders to manage expectations (Action). As a result, I've become much more adept at handling unexpected changes, maintaining a positive outlook, and ensuring consistent progress even when faced with obstacles (Result)."
How Does Discussing the best weaknesses to say in an interview Differ Across Contexts
The approach to discussing the best weaknesses to say in an interview can vary slightly depending on the context:
Job Interviews: Emphasize how your chosen weakness relates to professional development. Focus on skills or work habits that are not core to the job but, if improved, would make you an even stronger employee.
Sales Calls: While not a formal interview, discussing personal improvement can build rapport. If applicable, you might touch on communication or relationship-building weaknesses you've overcome, demonstrating empathy and a client-focused mindset.
College Interviews: Show maturity, self-awareness, and how you've learned from academic or social challenges. Colleges look for students who are reflective and capable of personal growth, making a well-articulated best weaknesses to say in an interview highly valuable.
What Challenges Do Candidates Face with the best weaknesses to say in an interview
Even with good advice, candidates often struggle to find a genuine best weaknesses to say in an interview that doesn’t hurt their candidacy. The fear of oversharing or appearing incompetent is real. Many underestimate the importance of the "follow-up actions" part of the answer, focusing too much on just identifying a flaw. The key is to remember that the question isn't designed to find fault, but to assess your capacity for self-improvement and learning.
Actionable Tips for Interview Preparation
To confidently deliver your response about the best weaknesses to say in an interview:
Reflect on Past Feedback: Think about constructive criticism you've received from managers, colleagues, or mentors. This often provides genuine areas for improvement.
Practice Articulating: Rehearse your chosen weakness and the steps you're taking to improve it out loud. This helps refine your language and delivery.
Prepare Multiple Examples: Have a few different "best weaknesses to say in an interview" in mind, tailored to different roles or interviewers, so you can choose the most relevant one on the spot.
Stay Calm and Confident: Deliver your answer concisely and positively, avoiding defensiveness. Your demeanor speaks volumes about your self-assurance.
By treating the "weakness" question as an opportunity, you can turn a potentially tricky moment into a powerful demonstration of your character and potential.
How Can Verve AI Copilot Help You With best weaknesses to say in an interview
Preparing for an interview can be daunting, especially when perfecting your answers to challenging questions like "What are your best weaknesses to say in an interview?" The Verve AI Interview Copilot offers personalized feedback and practice scenarios to help you refine your responses. You can practice articulating various best weaknesses to say in an interview examples and receive instant AI-powered critiques on clarity, confidence, and conciseness. The Verve AI Interview Copilot helps you fine-tune your delivery, ensuring your answers demonstrate self-awareness and a growth mindset effectively. Visit https://vervecopilot.com to enhance your interview preparation.
What Are the Most Common Questions About best weaknesses to say in an interview
Q: Should I pick a weakness that is completely irrelevant to the job?
A: No, it should be professionally relevant but not critical to the core functions of the role.
Q: Is it okay to say I have no weaknesses?
A: No, this signals a lack of self-awareness and can be seen negatively by interviewers.
Q: How long should my answer be?
A: Keep it concise, typically 60-90 seconds, focusing on the weakness, actions, and improvement.
Q: Should I pick a weakness that could eventually become a strength?
A: Yes, ideally one that you are actively working on transforming into a neutral point or even a strength.
Q: What if the interviewer asks for a second weakness?
A: Be prepared with another genuine, non-critical weakness, and follow the same framing process.
[^1]: Societe Generale Careers
[^2]: Dovetail
[^3]: Bright Network
[^4]: Coursera
