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How to answer "What is your greatest weakness?"

Pick a real weakness that isn't central to the job. Say it plainly, then spend most of your answer on what you're doing to improve, with proof that it's working. Avoid fake weaknesses like "I work too hard". The interviewer wants to see that you know yourself and keep learning.

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Why they ask it

Nobody is good at everything. The question checks whether you can see your own gaps, and whether you act on them.

The UK Civil Service counts this as part of good work. At entry level, it looks for people who identify gaps in their skills and knowledge. Then they plan how to close them.

How to answer: name it, fix it, show progress

  1. Name one real weakness, in a sentence.
  2. Fix: say what you're doing about it. A course, a habit, a tool, or feedback you asked for.
  3. Progress: show that it's working, with an example or a number.

The National Careers Service says to be honest, and to say how you're working to improve. Its example is someone who struggles with time management and now plans each project step by step.

CareerOneStop's practice questions add a test. Choose a weakness that won't badly affect your work in this job. Then talk about the steps you're taking, and how you've used feedback.

Victoria's Youth Central agrees: pick one specific thing, and make sure it isn't essential to the job. New Zealand's Tahatū says to talk about how you overcome it.

Tell it as a short story

Use the STAR method, as England's National Careers Service sets it out. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result:

  • Situation: where you were and what was going on, in a line or two.
  • Task: what you had to do, or the problem to solve.
  • Action: what you did, step by step. This is most of the answer, so say "I", not "we".
  • Result: what changed, with a number if you can, and what you learned.

Aim for about 90 seconds out loud. Keep it short and to the point, and be ready for follow-up questions about it.

Here, the situation is a time the weakness showed. Most of the answer is the action: what you did to improve.

Common mistakes

  • Saying you have no weaknesses.
  • Giving a fake weakness, such as "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard". It sounds like you're dodging the question.
  • Naming a weakness that is central to the job, such as poor attention to detail for a data entry job.
  • Naming a weakness with no plan to fix it.

Make it fit the job ad

Read the essential criteria first. Choose a weakness that isn't on that list.

If the ad lists something you're still learning, you can name it as your weakness. Then show the steps you're already taking. That's honest, and it answers their worry before they raise it.

A full answer, as a made-up example

Here is a made-up answer for a junior bookkeeping job. The ad doesn't ask for presenting, so it's a fair weakness to name.

Made-up example

Jordan, a graduate applying for a junior bookkeeping job

Question

“What's your greatest weakness?”

Situation

My weakness is speaking to large groups. In my final year, I had to present my project to 60 people.

Task

I knew I'd rush and lose my place, so I needed a plan.

Action

  • I joined my university's speaking club and spoke there every two weeks.
  • I asked my tutor for feedback after each class talk.
  • I practised with a timer and a friend, and cut my slides to one idea each.
  • I now offer to give the weekly update at my part-time job.

Result

My final talk scored 72%, my best mark that year. I still get nervous, but I'm far steadier than I was.

The weakness is real but not central to the job. Most of the answer is what Jordan did about it, with proof of progress.

Questions

Can I use a weakness I've already fixed?

Yes, if you're honest that it was a weakness. Show what you did and what's different now.

Should I name more than one?

One is usually enough. If they ask for more, give a second short one with the same shape.

Is "I'm a perfectionist" a good answer?

It's best avoided. It sounds like a strength dressed up as a weakness. Pick a real one and show what you're doing about it.

What about "What would your manager say you could improve?"

It's the same question. Use real feedback you've had, and say what you did with it.

Sources

Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on . Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.

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