What's Your Greatest Weakness?

Ugh, job interviews are nerve-wracking enough as it is, and when you're hit with the infamous question, ‘What is your greatest weakness?’, it can intensify your anxiety.

While this question provides employers with valuable insights into your self-awareness and presents you with an opportunity to showcase your ability to tackle challenges and embrace growth, it can also feel like a trap that forces you to reveal a personal shortcoming instead of a professional area of growth.

If you're someone who experiences interview anxiety (yes, it's a common thing), or if you dread this question, don't worry! Although it can be nerve-wracking, there are ways to prepare and approach this question differently, ultimately turning it into a more positive experience.

To help you get started, let's use public speaking as an example to demonstrate a straightforward 3-step formula for addressing weakness questions.

Step 1: Acknowledge It.

Instead of beginning your answer using the phrase 'a weakness of mine would be,' use 'an area of improvement for me is.'

By framing it as an area of improvement, you acknowledge the question, and shift the focus to a proactive approach to growth and development.

Step 2: Address it.

Here you want to reference the area of improvement and tie it back to a skill.

Example: ‘an area of improvement for me is my public speaking skills. While I am comfortable presenting to small groups, I recognize that I can improve my ability to communicate effectively and engage larger audiences’.

At this point, you've acknowledged the weakness, tied it to a relevant skill, and demonstrated awareness of where to improve.

Now, we'll tie it all together by conveying how you are actively working to improve in that area.

Step 3: Dismiss It.

Here you want to convey how you are working to improve it through concrete actions.

Example: ‘to address this, I am actively seeking out opportunities to practice my public speaking, such as volunteering to present at team meetings and attending workshops and seminars on public speaking.

Acknowledge it. Address it. Dismiss it.

Here is the complete response:

'an area of improvement for me is my public speaking skills. While I am comfortable presenting to small groups, I recognize that I can improve my ability to communicate effectively and engage larger audiences. To address this, I am actively seeking out opportunities to practice my public speaking, such as volunteering to present at team meetings and attending workshops and seminars on public speaking.'

Remember, every interview is an opportunity to learn and improve, so embrace the challenge and give it your best shot. Good luck with your next interview!