It’s the question that always turns us into liars and buffoons, declaring ourselves perfectionists who just work too hard and love our work too much. “What would you say is your greatest weakness?” If you’ve ever answered this with a deep-seated lie, you can take comfort in knowing you’re not alone. And as the Tory leadership battle heated up today, the candidates batted around this common question. When asked in ConservativeHome’s leadership snapshots to describe a weakness, Rishi Sunak gave the most clichéd answer to the most clichéd interview questions: that he is a perfectionist. Liz Truss said she’s very enthusiastic and does “too much” work, and Penny Mordaunt… didn’t really give a fault, instead just looking to be a team player (she also mentioned the Burmese cats, which was interesting). It’s a difficult question in the context of a political violence – or, indeed, for a job interview, where most of us will encounter this question. You’re trying to sell yourself, so being completely honest doesn’t seem like an option – telling your potential boss that you might be prone to laziness doesn’t seem wise – but bringing up clichéd strengths masquerading as weaknesses is just transparent. No interviewer wants to hear another person say that their hardest battle is just being really good at their job. So, how should you answer this question? We asked the experts.
How to answer “what’s your biggest weakness” in a job interview
Maybe don’t reveal that you’re a big old mess… (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Practice
“This is an interview question that’s definitely worth repeating,” says Jill Cotton, career trends expert at Glassdoor. “A correct answer will show that you are willing to be honest and prepared. “A hiring manager will expect every candidate to have some kind of weakness – if the person struggles to answer the question, it could be a red flag for the company.”
Be honest… sort of
Don’t open up about your deepest, darkest secret or emotional issue you’ve spent hours healing. But name a genuine work-related struggle you’ve had, whether it was dealing with imposter syndrome, struggling to delegate, or finding work-life balance difficult. Here’s the kicker, though – after you say that honest weakness, you have to…
Mention a past weakness that you have overcome
Instead of bringing up a problem you’re still struggling with, use this question as an opportunity to discuss a past weakness you’ve overcome. This is an opportunity for you to show how you handle challenges.
Give a solid example of how you overcame this weakness
Now give an example of how you have learned to deal with this weakness. So, if you said you had a hard time delegating, what helped you learn to do the job a little more fairly? Could you give an example of a recent time at work where you were aware of this previous issue and did things better this time?
Or mention something you’re working on
Jill says, “Don’t pretend to be perfect, and it’s okay to say you’re still learning new skills needed for a role. “Remember previous assessments and the areas managers asked you to work on. And be clear about what you are actively doing to strengthen your identified weakness. This could mean seeking additional training or guidance. “Identifying the steps shows you’re willing to grow – something the hiring manager will be looking for.”
What can I say?
“The question may seem like it’s trying to trick you, but it’s an opportunity for a job candidate to demonstrate self-awareness and professional growth,” says Jill Cotton (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“I have no weaknesses”
Well, that’s not true, is it? “Everyone has something they can improve on,” notes Jill. Saying otherwise is not good.
“I am a perfectionist”
Not only is it so over the top that you’ll probably get an eyeful, but saying you’re a perfectionist isn’t actually a good thing. The effort for good results is great. Being so destructive that you drive everyone crazy, not so much.
“Junk food/cats/other funny answer to a prank”
How does this help you get the job? This kind of answer is a complete waste of opportunity and is likely to irritate the interviewers – think about why they are asking about your biggest weakness. They want to know how you overcome challenges, not about your love of chocolate. Jill advises against mentioning anything unrelated to work.
More work
‘Addiction’
If you are serious, now is not the right arena to discuss this. If you’re joking, it’s not funny.
“Team management/report writing/any skill that is key to the job”
“It’s a good idea to research the company thoroughly before the interview,” suggests Jill. “This will help you decide which skills are critical to the role you’re applying for – and therefore what to avoid when answering what your weaknesses are.”
“I work really hard and stay late all the time”
Is true? Is that a good thing? Do you want to work for someone who values you more if you work yourself to the bone and burn out? No, no and no. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected] MORE: Five signs your workplace is ‘digitally toxic’ – and what to do about it MORE: TikTok’s ‘four quarters’ method could boost your productivity and mental health – experts explain how MORE: How to get rid of productivity guilt
