One of the trickiest questions in job interviews is “What is your biggest weakness?” It can be intimidating because you don’t want to say something that could hurt your chances of getting the job. At the same time, saying “I don’t have a weakness” isn’t a good idea either, because no one is perfect.
So how do you answer “What is your biggest weakness?” in a way that is honest, professional, and still makes you look like a great candidate?
In this guide, we’ll show you how to answer this question confidently and provide sample answers to help you prepare.
Why Do Employers Ask “What’s Your Biggest Weakness?”
Interviewers don’t ask “What is your biggest weakness?” to trick you. Instead, they want to see:
- Self-awareness – Do you recognize areas where you need improvement?
- Honesty – Are you truthful about your skills rather than pretending to be perfect?
- A growth mindset – Are you actively working to improve your weaknesses?
A well-thought-out answer shows that you acknowledge your weaknesses and are working to improve them.
How to Answer “What is Your Biggest Weakness?” in 3 Steps
1. Choose a Real but Workable Weakness
Your weakness should be real but not something that would stop you from doing the job well.
Weaknesses to Avoid:
- “I’m always late.” (Shows poor time management)
- “I can’t work under pressure.” (May signal that you can’t handle deadlines)
- “I struggle to follow instructions.” (Raises concerns about teamwork)
Better Weaknesses to Mention:
- Public Speaking – “I used to get nervous speaking in front of groups, but I’m improving my confidence.”
- Delegation – “I sometimes try to do everything myself, but I’m learning to trust my team more.”
- Time Management – “I used to focus too much on details, but I’m learning to prioritize tasks effectively.”
2. Show How You Are Improving
After mentioning “What is your biggest weakness?”, explain what you are doing to overcome it.
For example:
- Weakness: “I used to struggle with public speaking.”
- Improvement: “I joined a public speaking club and now practice speaking in meetings.”
This approach turns a negative into a positive.
3. Keep It Short and Positive
Don’t spend too much time on this question. Keep your answer brief, positive, and professional.
Sample Answers for “What is Your Biggest Weakness?”
Here are four sample answers to help you craft your response:
Example 1: Public Speaking
“What’s your biggest weakness? I used to get nervous speaking in front of groups. To improve, I joined a public speaking club and started volunteering for presentations at work. This has helped me gain confidence, and I’m becoming more comfortable speaking in public.”
Example 2: Delegating Tasks
“What’s your biggest weakness? Sometimes, I take on too much work because I want everything to be perfect. However, I’ve realized that delegating tasks improves teamwork and efficiency. Now, I actively assign tasks and trust my team to handle them.”
Example 3: Perfectionism
“What’s your biggest weakness? I tend to focus too much on small details because I want everything to be perfect. However, I’ve learned that sometimes ‘done’ is better than ‘perfect.’ I’m working on balancing quality and efficiency by setting time limits for tasks.”
Example 4: Asking for Help
“What’s your biggest weakness? In the past, I hesitated to ask for help because I wanted to prove I could handle everything on my own. However, I’ve learned that teamwork is important, and asking for help when needed makes the entire team more effective.”
Learn More: Common Body Language Mistakes to Avoid in a Job Interview in 2025
Mistakes to Avoid When Answering “What is Your Biggest Weakness?”
Avoid these common mistakes when responding to “What is your biggest weakness?”
- Saying “I don’t have a weakness.”
This makes you seem dishonest or overconfident. Everyone has areas for improvement. - Giving a weakness that is too extreme.
If your weakness is “I can’t meet deadlines” or “I struggle with teamwork”, the employer might think you’re not a good fit. - Turning a strength into a weakness in a fake way.
Saying “I work too hard” or “I care too much” sounds insincere. Employers prefer real, honest answers. - Not explaining how you are improving.
Just stating a weakness without showing improvement makes you look unprepared.
Related: Questions to Ask the Employer at the End of an Interview
Final Tips for Answering “What is Your Biggest Weakness?”
- Be honest but strategic – Pick a real weakness, but not one that will hurt your chances.
- Show improvement – Explain how you’re actively working on it.
- Stay positive – End your answer on a strong, confident note.
- Practice your answer – Rehearse it so you can deliver it smoothly in an interview.
By preparing in advance, you can turn a tricky question into an opportunity to showcase your growth mindset and professionalism.
