How to talk about your weaknesses in a job interview

How to talk about your weaknesses in a job interview without undermining yourself

“What’s your greatest weakness?”

It’s one of the most uncomfortable questions in a job interview, but also one of the most revealing. How you answer says a lot about your self-awareness, honesty, and growth mindset.

The good news? You don’t need a perfect answer. You need a thoughtful, strategic one.

This guide will show you how to talk about your weaknesses in a way that’s honest and helps, not hurts, your chances.

Why interviewers ask about weaknesses

• 🧠 To see how self-aware and reflective you are
• 🌱 To understand how you approach growth and learning
• 📉 To check whether your weakness would affect your ability to succeed in the role

It’s not a trap. It’s a test of emotional intelligence.

What makes a great “weakness” answer?

A good response includes three things:

1. Honesty: pick a real, relatable weakness (not fake humble)
2. Insight: show how it shows up in your work
3. Growth: explain what you’ve done to improve

Weaknesses you can safely talk about (with examples)

1. Difficulty delegating

“I used to struggle with delegation, I felt more comfortable doing things myself to make sure they were done right. But I’ve learned that trust and clear expectations are far more scalable. Now I check in rather than take over.”

2. Public speaking

“Presenting to large groups used to intimidate me. I avoided it early in my career, but I’ve since taken speaking workshops and now volunteer to lead team updates. It’s still a stretch, but it’s no longer a fear.”

3. Saying “yes” too much

“I used to take on too much, I’m naturally eager to help. But I’ve learned that overcommitting helps no one. Now I ask clarifying questions before agreeing and use prioritization frameworks with my manager.”

4. Asking for help

“I used to think asking questions showed weakness. But in my last role, I saw how collaboration and clarity actually speed up success. Now I ask sooner, and more often, when I hit roadblocks.”

5. Perfectionism

“I tend to over-polish before sharing work. While quality matters, I’ve learned that speed and feedback are just as important. I now aim for ‘excellent and done’ rather than ‘perfect and late.’”

What NOT to say as your weakness

❌ “I work too hard” / “I’m a perfectionist” (without context)

These sound cliché or fake unless you back them up with a real challenge and what you’ve done about it.

❌ “I don’t have any weaknesses”

This signals a lack of self-awareness and can come off as arrogant or evasive.

❌ Anything that’s essential to the role

If you’re interviewing for a sales role, don’t say you hate talking to people. Choose something that’s adjacent, not core.

How to choose the right weakness for the role

• ✅ Pick something real, but not disqualifying
• ✅ Show growth, what are you actively improving?
• ✅ Align it with the role: avoid anything central to success

Bonus: A simple template you can use

“One area I’ve been working on is [real weakness]. In the past, this showed up when [brief example]. I’ve since [what you’ve done to improve], and while I’m still working on it, I’ve made noticeable progress and it’s no longer a blocker.”

Final thought: Vulnerability is strength

Talking about your weaknesses doesn’t make you look weak, it makes you look honest, grounded, and coachable.

Interviewers aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for self-awareness, humility, and a commitment to growth.