“What’s your biggest weakness?” Bad and Good Answers

Nobody talks eagerly about one’s own weaknesses, especially during a job interview. After all, during an interview one is supposed to highlight one’s strengths and achievements with the goal of landing a position at our dream company. How to achieve this goal if we are asked to talk about our weaknesses?

“Please, tell us about your biggest weakness!”

When an interviewer tries to expose our vulnerabilities, our primal instincts kick in. The palms of our hands get sweaty. Our heartbeat increases in pace and we may even start stuttering. This happens to experienced people and to recent graduates going to their first interviews.

What’s the worst answers that one can give to such a decisive question?

“My biggest weakness is that I often downplay my strengths.”

“I can’t think of any weakness that I may have.”

“I’m a perfectionist – that’s my biggest weakness.”

Any answer that goes along the previous lines is bad. Any interviewer with some brain and critical thinking skills will not believe you. It is simply impossible for you to not have any weaknesses. We’re human after all and imperfections are what distinguishes us from machines!
An equally bad answer would be one that mentions a weakness which is not job-related. The following one would be an example, unless you’re applying for a position as a physical education teacher or you’re planning to become a professional athlete:

“My biggest weakness is my shortness of breath. I can’t jog more than five km.”

So, what the best answer one can give?

A strategy that works 100% of the times is mentioning a minor, job-related weakness — here comes the crucial part, while explaining how you’re working to improve it. If you are aware of your own limitations, while simultaneously working hard to become a better person, you can be sure that you will leave a positive impression behind.