I’ve been told countless times that the hardest part about getting a job at my dream company (Nickelodeon – spoiler alert, I get it!) is getting my foot in the door.
I updated my resume and practiced answering many questions common interview questionsincluding “What is your greatest weakness?” This question always trips me up because it often feels like a trick or test. I’m trying to sell myself at the highest level and you want me to say what’s wrong with me?
The key is finding the perfect balance between being able to admit that no one is perfect and not listing weaknesses that would prevent you from being successful in the role. Here I have compiled some incredible answers to the question “What is your greatest weakness?” – and don’t worry, these answers aren’t, “I’m a perfectionist.”
Table of contents
What are good weaknesses to say in an interview?
Interviewers who ask, “What is your greatest weakness?” I want to know how honest and confident you are.
Before you answer, ask yourself:
- What are my weaknesses?
- How did I notice this weakness in myself?
- How did I react to this realization?
- What steps am I currently taking to notice this habit?
- What can I do to change this behavior?
The best answers to this question honestly explain a weakness and provide an example of how you are actively working to improve.
Pro tip: I asked too Nehal Patelthe director of research, technology and innovation and human resources manager Smith & Nephewhow to answer this question:
He said: “Good areas to point to in this question are organizational skills, which can improve as new tools become available, or interpersonal skills, which can continually develop as you work with new people with different styles .”
Top 12 Weaknesses to Tell an Interviewer
- I find it difficult to work with others.
- I can be disorganized.
- I find it difficult to delegate work.
- I’m shy when giving feedback.
- I can seem too direct.
- I’m afraid of public speaking.
- I’m having difficulty with data analysis.
- I’m undecided.
- I am a tough self-critic.
- I have a micromanagement style.
- Sometimes I chat too much with my colleagues.
- I find it difficult to maintain work-life balance.
Here are some of my favorite examples of how to answer the question “What is your greatest weakness?” and why they work.
1. I have difficulty working with others.
“I can struggle when working with a team – I’m incredibly independent, so it’s difficult to rely on others to get my work done. For this reason, I chose roles that require someone to work independently. However, I also worked on improving this weakness by enrolling in team building workshops. While I normally work independently, I have to learn to trust my colleagues and ask for outside help when needed.”
This answer works because the weakness – the inability to work well with a team – does not affect your ability to perform well in the role because it is a job where success does not rely on teamwork. Additionally, you demonstrate a willingness to develop strategies to combat your weaknesses, which is a crucial skill in the workplace.
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2. I can be disorganized.
“I have problems with the organization. While it doesn’t impact my performance yet, I’ve noticed that my messy desk and overflowing inbox are impacting my efficiency. Over time, I have learned to take time to organize my physical and digital space, and I have found that this has improved my efficiency throughout the week.”
I am the biggest culprit of a messy workplace. This answer works because it is an understandable and fixable weakness. You realize that disorganization does not affect your ability to do your job, which is crucial, but also acknowledge that it may make you less efficient.
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3. I find it difficult to delegate work.
“Sometimes I find it difficult to delegate responsibility when I can do the task well myself. However, when I became a manager in my last position, it became essential for me to learn to delegate tasks to take some of the work off my hands while also giving more responsibility to my direct reports. To maintain control when delegating tasks, I implemented a project management system to monitor the progress of a project. This system allowed me to improve my ability to delegate efficiently.”
This answer works because it suggests that you have flexibility, which is critical for long-term growth. Additionally, you demonstrate a level of initiative and leadership when you mention the successful implementation of a new process that allowed you to succeed despite your weaknesses in your previous role.
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4. I am shy when giving feedback.
“I’m often shy about giving constructive feedback to colleagues or managers for fear of hurting other people’s feelings. However, in my last role, my colleague asked me to edit some of his pieces and provide feedback on areas for improvement. My experience with him made me realize that feedback can be helpful and kind when delivered correctly. Since then, I have gotten better at giving feedback and realized that I can use empathy to give thoughtful and productive feedback.”
During my internship at HubSpot Blog, I copied posts from guest authors. I always wondered why, as a student, I had the right to give detailed feedback to a professional writer.
Over time, I’ve learned that constructive feedback is always beneficial to people when presented respectfully, regardless of their level or experience.
This answer works because you explained how you can turn a weakness into a strength through practical experience.
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5. I can seem too direct.
“My blunt, straightforward nature has enabled me to be successful as a team manager over the years because I can get things done efficiently and people often appreciate my honesty. However, I realized that my bluntness doesn’t always serve my employees well when they give feedback. To combat this, I have worked to build empathy and deeper relationships with those I manage. Additionally, I took an online leadership management course and worked with the professor to develop my ability to give feedback.”
Facets of our personality can help us in certain areas of our work while hindering us in others. In this example, you’ll first explain how your outspoken nature allows you to be successful in certain situations. You then mention that this can be viewed as a lack of empathy and give examples of how you try to solve this problem.
It works because you demonstrate the ability to recognize when your personality is interfering with the functions of your role and how to fix that.
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6. I’m afraid of public speaking.
“Public speaking makes me nervous. Although I don’t have to do much public speaking as a web designer, I still think it’s an important skill – especially when I want to express my opinion during a meeting. To combat this, I talked to my manager and she recommended that I spend a few minutes at every team meeting talking about our project timeline, deadlines, and goals when I’m developing a website for a client. This practice has allowed me to relax and see public speaking as an opportunity to help my team members do their jobs effectively.”
In this example, you’re mentioning qualities that don’t apply to the job but that you’ve worked to improve. This works because it shows your desire to fulfill more business needs than are necessary in your current role – and that speaks to your career ambitions.
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7. I have problems with data analysis.
“I’m not particularly good at analyzing data or numbers. However, I understand that this error may prevent me from understanding the performance of my content online. In my last role, I set up monthly meetings with the SEO manager to discuss analytics and the performance of our posts. I have also received my Google Analytics certificate and make it a point to regularly analyze data on our blog. These efforts have made it much easier for me to analyze data.”
As a creative person, I also struggle with the data side of my work. For example, an important part of my job is to understand the performance of marketing campaigns and integrate these results into our campaign strategy, although there are teams dedicated specifically to this data.
I like this example because it shows your desire to go beyond a job description and better understand the needs of the entire department, not just your role.
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8. I am indecisive.
“Sometimes I have problems with ambiguity and making decisions when the instructions are not clear. I come from a work environment that always gave clear and direct instructions. I had such a strong team and leadership that I didn’t have much practice making decisions in the heat of the moment. I’m working on this by leaning more on my experience and practicing listening to my gut.”
This interview answer works because it shows that you can follow a leader and become one yourself. It’s okay to not know what to do right now. Admitting that you relied on strong leadership shows that you know when to move forward and look for direction.
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9. I am a strict self-critic.
“My inner critic can be debilitating at times. I take pride in doing good work, but I’m not always happy with it, which has led to burnout. However, I have started to fight back against this inner voice by taking care of myself before and after work. I’m also learning to recognize when my inner critic is right and when I need to dismiss him.”
Your interviewer can probably understand this weakness; We all have tough inner critics (mine often sends me into a tizzy after sending a mildly assertive email or Slack).
It’s also effective because 1) it shows that you’re willing to work on your weaknesses outside of work and not just during business hours, and 2) it shows that your inner critic may have legitimate arguments.
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10. I have a micromanagement style.
“I used to work in industries where I had to instill a solid work ethic in my employees. This training style is so ingrained in me that I still have to distinguish who needs this coaching and who doesn’t. I read books on effective delegation and team building to work on this shortcoming. One technique that works for me is to reassure myself that when I set clear expectations, my team will heed them. I also learned to trust my team members more.”
This answer works best if you have already held a managerial position and are applying for a managerial position.
Even though you may be used to leading your crew or team in a certain way, this suggests that you are willing to admit when your method is not the most effective.
Demonstrating your flexibility shows that you can grow in a new job and adapt to a new culture.
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11. Sometimes I chat too much with my colleagues.
“I enjoy building relationships with my colleagues through conversation and this is a great team building skill. However, I usually carry a conversation to the point where it can distract other colleagues. I have since learned that there are other ways to connect with my colleagues and that when I ask about their day, I need to keep it brief and focus back on my work.”
Please stand up if you also came home from school with report cards that said, “(Name) is a great student but talks too much in class” and somehow still have this problem as an adult!
This answer works because it shows that you are aware of how your talkative nature can be distracting in the workplace. You also tell your future employer that you are willing to build relationships with colleagues, but not at the expense of productivity.
This is what sets us apart from our innocent, talkative childhood selves.
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12. I have trouble maintaining A Work-life balance.
“I have been struggling with work-life balance, especially since I started working remotely during the pandemic. This increased my stress levels so much that my productivity was at its lowest ever and I wasn’t doing my best at work. Since I want to continue working remotely, I have structured my day better and set a clear start and end time. I have already noticed an improvement in my ability to concentrate during working hours.”
At first glance, this might seem like a “strength” disguised as a weakness – throwing yourself into work is great, right? This means you love your job. But it’s not so great if it affects your productivity and your relationships with colleagues.
This answer works because it doesn’t mean: “I work so much that my private life suffers from it.” It means: “I work a lot to the point of burnout and have noticed that I need to structure my day better.”
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Other common interview weaknesses
Need more inspiration? Here are some other common weaknesses you can mention in an interview.
“What are your weaknesses?” Examples
Organizational weaknesses:
- Time management issues.
- Managing missed deadlines.
- Unable to prioritize multiple tasks at once.
- Delaying tasks unnecessarily.
Weaknesses in the quality of work:
- Limited experience in a particular skill or specialization.
- Difficulty adapting to new processes or technologies.
- Strive for perfection.
- I find it difficult to let go of projects.
Interpersonal weaknesses:
- Problems communicating with colleagues with higher titles.
- Difficulty working with different personalities.
- Difficulty delegating tasks.
- Challenges that ask for help.
Personal growth weaknesses:
- Balancing work and private life.
- I find it difficult to say “no”.
- They are hesitant to speak up or advocate for themselves.
- Lack of self-confidence.
- Avoid taking responsibility for mistakes.
- Occasionally you are late.
How to identify your biggest weakness
My main advice for identifying your biggest weakness in an interview is to answer honestly, but don’t jeopardize your chance of getting the job offer.
Here’s how to do just that.
1. Exclude any skills listed in the job description.
Review every word of the job ad to make sure the vulnerability is not included in the required skills and responsibilities.
For example, my job description at Nickelodeon stated that I was looking for a candidate who could build relationships with partners at all levels. Since this is an essential qualification for the position, I would not have answered “What is your greatest weakness?” with “Communication with colleagues of higher rank.”
2. Consider the weaknesses you have overcome.
I spoke to Sneha Alagappanthe Deputy Director of Computer Science Career Services on University of Chicago and a former tech recruiter, and she mentioned the idea of highlighting weaknesses that you’re already addressing:
“There is always a positive way to explore potential mistakes and opportunities for yourself by talking about the lessons you have learned and how you have already changed the way you work in the future.”
(For example) If your weakness is “organization,” give an example of a time when you identified your weaker organizational skills, thought about how it was holding you back in some way, and how you worked to overcome that (weakness ) to overcome in the future.”
3. Get inspiration by reviewing old performance reviews.
If you’re struggling with a specific example of weakness, review old self-assessments and performance reviews. These documents are great sources of inspiration for examples of your successes and areas you can improve.
Alagappan agrees, adding, “Getting feedback from a direct manager, lower-level manager, colleagues or cross-functional partners is a great way to identify your areas of opportunity.”
One of my first performance reviews at Nickelodeon mentioned that I needed to speak up more in meetings. Since then, I have led several bi-weekly and monthly meetings, which I was able to do because of the encouragement of my manager.
How do I answer the question “What are your biggest weaknesses?”
1. Be honest and choose a real weakness.
The answer “I am a perfectionist” is not enough because it is not a real weakness.
Perfectionism can never be achieved – it is a fear-based pattern that leads to short-term rewards, such as: B. completing the work early and exceeding expectations, but can ultimately lead to this Burnout.
Instead, choose a real weakness. Beneath the desire to do perfect work may lie a more authentic weakness, e.g. B. Difficulty asking for help or reluctance to delegate.
2. Give an example of how you worked to improve your weakness or learn a new skill to combat the problem.
Hiring managers don’t expect you to overcome your weaknesses overnight. As Patel told me, “Hiring managers are also normal people with their own flaws.”
Everyone has areas that they need to continually work on to improve their skills. So show the interviewer that you are aware of your weak points and are working on improvements.
3. Think about weaknesses in your personal life.
By being human during the interview, your interviewer can build a connection with you and imagine working with you in the future. It’s not just about job-related weaknesses.
In my personal life, I find it difficult to say “no” to friends. This is an understandable weakness in both work and personal life. Demonstrating your self-confidence in this way shows that you understand that self-improvement is related to job performance.
4. Think about where you want to go and what support you need to get there.
Overall, growth is a part of life. Think of people you look up to who may have something to do with the field you work in. Ask yourself what character traits these people have and what work you may have to do to get there.
For example, I’m inspired by my boss, who I think strikes the perfect balance between confidence and friendliness. I know I can achieve this by making myself heard in meetings and listening to my gut, even if others may think otherwise.
5. Don’t be arrogant or underestimate yourself.
The most important thing when answering the question “What is your greatest weakness?” is to show confidence in your answer. Luckily, confidence can be learned – it starts with being honest with yourself and knowing that you’re being honest with what you say.
Once you have identified a weakness and are certain about it, let that certainty shine through in your answer. As I mentioned earlier, there is room for improvement in everyone. So there’s no need to be ashamed of something you’re struggling with and working to improve.
5 tips for talking about weaknesses in an interview
Now that you know the most effective answers and best practices for selecting a vulnerability, it’s time for the real test: giving the interviewer the answer.
This doesn’t necessarily have to cause panic – I like to imagine discussing this question with my best friend.
Here are five tips I follow to eliminate some of the fear:
- Practice your answer beforehand. I prefer to practice interview questions like these with friends so I can get live feedback, but practicing in front of yourself in the mirror can be just as effective.
- Look the interviewer in the eye and convey confidence. I understand how difficult it is to feel confident talking about your weaknesses. I do this by not necessarily relying on my weakness, but by expressing that weakness.
- Be short and concise. I usually prepare an answer that is between thirty seconds and a minute long. The first statement should directly state your weakness and the rest of the answer should highlight how you overcome it.
- Understand the interviewer’s goal. The question “What is your greatest weakness?” The question is not intended to disqualify you. It’s just another way for interviewers to get to know your personal and professional attributes.
- Show your personality while remaining professional. I like to add some humor to interviews. It relieves my nerves and helps me build a better connection with the HR manager.
Note: These tips also apply to other common interview questions like “How do you handle conflict?” or “What motivates you?” So be sure to plan accordingly. Don’t worry, we’ve put one together comprehensive questionnaire for easy preparation).
There is strength in every weakness
I’m human too – and it’s always been difficult for me to express my weaknesses in an interview environment where I already feel most vulnerable. But I learned that every weakness also has a strength on the other side.
Relying on your teammates to excel in your areas of weakness can show that you work well as a team and know how to use your resources to solve problems. Taking free online courses to further your professional development shows that you are willing to work towards improvement.
Regardless of which of these answers you share with the hiring team, as long as you approach it authentically, they will be happy to help you grow and exceed the expectations of the job.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in December 2018 and has been updated for completeness.