Answering the "weaknesses" interview question


One of the trickier questions an interviewer might put to you is “what are your weaknesses?”

What are you meant to say? If you list all your weaknesses, aren’t you just giving the interviewer reasons to think that you aren’t up to the job?

If you read most other interview advice guides, they will say that you should list some weaknesses that are just as much strengths. Things like “I am a perfectionist” or “I work too hard”.

But these answers are JUST PLAIN WRONG and could cost you the interview. Let me explain why.

In fact, I’ll let you in on a secret.

It is MY job as an interviewer to form MY OWN opinion on what your strengths and weaknesses are and I will do so without you needing to tell me!

But, if I DO ask you “what are your major weaknesses?” then I will be looking for three key things: So let’s take the response so loved by other interview advice guides – “I’m a perfectionist” – and work out how this can be improved so that it doesn’t sound like the hackneyed response that it is.

Show your interviewer you are aware of your weaknesses



As your interviewer, I want to see that you are aware how your ‘weakness’ really is a weakness. Illustrate with examples where you can.

Let's stick with the 'perfectionist' interview answer for now, and show how even this response to the interview weakness question can be turned around. For instance, your interview answer may start along the lines of:

“One of my weaknesses is that I can be a perfectionist which sometimes means that I need to work long hours in order to get things done to the high standards I set myself.

As an example, I needed to complete a proposal for a new client, and I was up until 2am the morning before the presentation getting it finished, which I realise could make my work suffer the next day”
Okay, so you’ve established the fact that you are TRULY AWARE that you have a WEAKNESS. You’re already scoring well now. Time to go on to the next stage.

Show your interviewer you know how your weakness impacts others



Your weakness may also impacting others in a negative way, so it is good to show that you are aware of how your behavior rubs off on other people.

(By the way, strong candidates, especially in an environment where teamwork is important, will ALWAYS be demonstrating that they are aware of their impact on others.)

So, to continue our example, you might say something along the following lines:

“I am aware that people who work with me can find it tiring to work with someone who will push themselves to deliver such a high standard on every piece of work that they do.”
Okay, so now you’re showing that you’re really on top of this weakness, and that you’re not trying to show it off as some kind of strength.

Now it’s time to go in for the kill! I will be putty in your hands if you go on to step 3!!

Show your interviewer you are dealing with your weakness



Finishing your response off in this way will truly show that you understand that you have a weakness and THAT YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING TO FIX IT!!

Remember, everyone has weaknesses. They are not something to be hidden, but something to be FIXED.

So show your interviewer that you have set about FIXING your weaknesses. Again, examples are useful.

The response may finish something like this:

“I am now making a conscious effort on every piece of work I do to ask myself whether pushing myself to the ‘perfect’ solution is really being efficient or whether I would be better off putting some time into other things. I am also involving my team to give me advice on when they think I am over-doing things, and I am also asking my manager to let me know when I have done too much.

I think that I will always strive to over deliver – that’s just the kind of person I am – but I am also trying to make sure that I work more efficiently and without tiring out people around me”
Next steps

So, now do you see how you should REALLY be answering the ‘weakness’ interview question?

Follow the three steps above, and your interviewer will know that they are talking to a high quality candidate who will continue to address their weaknesses, grow and flourish in their company.

But remember, this is just one tough of the tough interview questions which you will face. Are you prepared for them all....?

More help on interview answers

Well hopefully you've now got a much better idea of how to answer the weaknesses interview question! If, however, you're finding it difficult to think of compelling answers to other interview questions, then I recommend that you pick up a copy of Bob Firestone's book on answering the toughest interview questions.

Here are my thoughts on Bob's book, called "The Ultimate Guide to Job Interview Answers"

  • Bob is a business, career and sales coach based in the US. Although I strongly believe that the fundamentals behind his approach to answering interview questions are rock solid, I personally found the style of some of his answers a little more 'salesy' than I'd be comfortable with in one of the more 'straight-laced' organizations. So if you do use the book, make sure you tailor your answers to your interviewer


  • Bob's book provides sample interview answers which you can use as inspiration or as a basis for your own answers. Don't simply rehearse his answers or you risk looking like a bad actor and completely unnatural. Interviewers are trained to get to the truth (actually, we quite enjoy exposing untruths), so make sure that your interview answer is personal and truthful to you!


  • Because Bob's interview answer guide is an electronic file, it is available for immediate download - this wasn't something I thought about until an interview candidate asked me one evening for something to help him prepare for an interview the next morning!! Bookshops and libraries were closed and Amazon wouldn't even have dispatched his book by the time his interview started. By producing an ebook, Bob allows you to pack in a couple of extra days of critical preparation before your next interview


  • Bob offers a no-questions 2-month full money back guarantee. Of all the people who have bought Bob's ebook after visiting this site, not one has asked for their money back (as of 31 May 2006). I don't know of a better recommendation than one offered by other interview candidates!

If you want to see why these candidates are so pleased to have bought Bob's ebook (incidentally, now on special offer and with special bonuses), click on the following link for Bob's interview answers ebook. Just before you go there, please be aware that his website can take a few moments to load - please be patient - I'm sure you'll find it worthwhile!!

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