How to Answer the Most Intimidating Interview Question

What's your greatest weakness? I vividly remember being asked that question in an interview and wishing the floor would open and swallow me up. I don't remember my answer. I'm sure I mumbled my way through, but it didn't instill confidence in my abilities as a job candidate.

Why is the question asked?

Believe it or not, asking you to explain a weakness is not meant to intimidate you. Rather, the question is asked to see if you are self-aware and invested in improving yourself. The interviewer wants to hear that you are willing to acknowledge an area that you've found personally challenging and that you've taken steps to address this challenge.

How not to answer the question.

Many people believe the best way to answer this question is to use a stock answer that doesn't show weakness. So, they use old and tired answers such as, "I tend to work too hard," or "I tend to overcommit myself because I have trouble saying no." The problem with these answers is that they're inauthentic, and interviewers see right through them. Hiring managers want employees that are honest and humble.

How to answer the question in two parts.

Part One: Identify your weakness. Start by identifying a weakness that is or has been an issue for you. Some examples might include:

"I find it challenging to give presentations in front of large groups."

"When I was a new manager, delegating to my direct reports was difficult."

"Speaking up at staff meetings is hard for me."

Part two: What have you done about it? The key to answering the weakness question is to explain what steps you've taken to improve yourself. If giving presentations is an area you've identified as a weakness, have you enrolled in Toastmasters to get instruction and practice on presentation skills? If delegating has been problematic, have you sought a mentor to help you navigate situations where you tend to fall back on old habits?

Explaining what you've done to correct a weak spot shifts the focus of your answer from the problem to your problem-solving abilities. It also demonstrates your tenacity and commitment to self-improvement, a sure way to convince the hiring manager that you're the person they want to hire.

If you want to learn more about interviewing, check out my course, Ace the Interview on knowable.fyi. You can also get a copy of my new Interview Survival Guide with tons of tips on preparing for interviews by signing up HERE.

As always, thanks for reading!