How to Answer the 'What's Your Biggest Weakness' Interview Question

😊The interviewer asks about your biggest weakness to assess your self-awareness, honesty, and growth mindset.

🚫Avoid mentioning weaknesses like 'not good at working with people', 'not good at timekeeping', or 'not good at managing multiple tasks'.

💡Give an honest weakness, demonstrate a plan for improvement, and showcase your self-reflection and willingness to learn.

🔀Choose weaknesses like 'focusing too much on detail', 'difficulty asking for help', 'struggling to let go of projects', or 'not good at giving feedback'.

🔄Emphasize your efforts to improve weaknesses, such as learning to focus on the end goal, seeking advice from experienced team members, or practicing feedback giving.

Why do interviewers ask about weaknesses?

—Interviewers ask about weaknesses to assess your self-awareness, honesty, and willingness to improve. They also want to see if you have a plan for developing your weaknesses.

What weaknesses should I avoid mentioning?

—You should avoid mentioning weaknesses like 'not good at working with people', 'not good at timekeeping', or 'not good at managing multiple tasks' as they are not desirable for any job role.

How should I structure my answer?

—Structure your answer by giving an honest weakness, explaining why it may be a challenge, sharing specific steps you are taking to improve, and highlighting your commitment to growth and self-improvement.

What are some good weaknesses to mention?

—Some good weaknesses to mention include 'focusing too much on detail', 'difficulty asking for help', 'struggling to let go of projects', or 'not good at giving feedback'. Choose weaknesses that are relevant to the job and show potential for growth.

How can I demonstrate growth mindset in my answer?

—Demonstrate growth mindset by showcasing your self-reflection, willingness to learn, and efforts to improve. Talk about seeking advice, learning from mistakes, and taking proactive steps to develop your weaknesses.

00:00Introduction and overview of the 'What's your biggest weakness' interview question.

02:13Reasons why interviewers ask about weaknesses: self-awareness, honesty, and commitment to improvement.

04:24Three weaknesses to avoid mentioning: not good at working with people, not good at timekeeping, and not good at managing multiple tasks.

06:03Three tips for structuring your answer: give an honest weakness, explain the challenge, and demonstrate a plan for improvement.

07:39Introduction to 11 great weaknesses to consider sharing in your job interview.

14:04Weakness #1: focusing too much on detail.

15:36Weakness #2: difficulty asking for help.

17:19Weakness #3: struggling to let go of projects.

19:22Weakness #4: not good at giving feedback.

20:47Weakness #5: finding it hard to say no to people.

22:37Weakness #6: lack of experience in a certain area.

24:17Weakness #7: sometimes too sensitive.

25:52Weakness #8: being judgmental of other people.

27:27Weakness #9: lack of leadership experience.

29:04Weakness #10: getting stressed if a project runs over the deadline.

30:32Weakness #11: not very good at presenting to large groups of people.

31:40Closing remarks and call-to-action: download the full set of 30 brilliant answers to difficult interview questions.