How Should You Answer the 'What are your weaknesses' Question?

It’s that question most people dread in an interview. ‘What are your weaknesses?’.

You know it’s coming. It typically follows ‘What are your strengths?’. Yet even though you know it’s coming it can throw you off guard. You’ve just been confidently talking up all your strengths. Your voice is strong, your posture is upright, you’re feeling great.  Then the weakness question comes and you’re sitting there wracking your brain trying to come up with something (without actually disclosing anything) and not wanting to appear as lacking in self-awareness.

So, how should you answer the question ‘what are your weaknesses?’. Hmm, red wine, coffee, buying furniture online?  Unless you’re applying to be a monk, these responses are probably all irrelevant to the job you are interviewing for.

Personally, I don’t like this question, and I don’t ask it.  I prefer to ask, ‘What are your development areas?’.  Framing the question in this manner provides a safe space for a more true and accurate response. 

For example, you may not be great at public speaking so when someone asks, ‘What are your weaknesses?’ you might respond with ‘Public speaking. I’m not very good at speaking in public.’  As you say it you might drop your shoulders and quieten your voice. You could feel like you’ve suddenly become very small in the room.

Consider the same response if asked ‘What are your development areas?’.  You might say, from a place of confidence, ‘I’d really like to develop my public speaking skills. I’ve had limited opportunities so far and would like to be able to practice this skill’.

See how much stronger a response that is?  Supplementing the word weakness with development gives you the chance to respond in a positive manner, rather than focus negatively on “weakness”.

Another example might be to say, ‘I’m looking for an opportunity to further expand my Excel skills’ rather than say ‘My Excel skills are basic’.

There are several reasons why interviewers might ask this question.  They could be looking to see how you respond and if you are self-aware, or they may genuinely be trying to see if there are any areas they consider non-negotiable in terms of skills and experience.  If you give generic answers like ‘I tend to take on too much’, or ‘I have trouble saying no’, whilst it may be true, most people will see through it. You aren’t disclosing anything other than playing safe with a standard response.

My advice? Be honest. Be vulnerable. Tell them exactly where you’d like to develop and where it directly relates to the role you are applying for.  If it’s completely unrelated, for example, ‘I’d really like to improve my welding skills’ but you’re applying for a position in IT, then maybe don't disclose that!

The point is you shouldn’t be afraid of this question. If you reframe it from the perspective of ‘how will this position help me develop in the areas that I need?’ you can answer it as passionately and confidently as you do the strengths question.  It will show the interviewer that you have self-awareness and see this position as an opportunity to grow.

Try it out and see how different you feel with each response.