Posted 11 days by Jonny Grange
Many candidates find the "What’s your greatest weakness?" interview question difficult to answer. It can feel uncomfortable or overly personal. But it’s a standard part of many interviews, and being ready for it can make a real difference.
In this blog, we’ll explain why employers ask this question, how to approach your answer, and give you practical examples you can use or adapt to suit your situation.
Why hiring managers ask about your weaknesses
Understanding why this question is asked will help you answer it in a way that builds trust and makes a positive impression. It’s not about catching you out. It’s about seeing how you think and how you handle challenges.
To assess your self-awareness
Being able to recognise your own strengths and weaknesses is a sign of emotional intelligence. Employers want to know that you can reflect on how you work and identify areas for improvement. This shows you’re open to learning and taking responsibility for your development.
To understand how you handle challenges
Every job comes with obstacles. What matters is how you deal with them. This question gives hiring managers a chance to see whether you take ownership of your setbacks and how you respond to them. They’re looking for people who stay proactive and focused, even when something doesn’t come naturally.
To test your communication and honesty
How you deliver your answer is just as important as what you say. Interviewers want to hear a clear, thoughtful and genuine response. If your answer sounds rehearsed or avoids the question, it can give the impression that you’re not comfortable with feedback. A straightforward explanation, with examples, shows that you can communicate professionally and honestly.
How to answer “what are your weaknesses?”
Choose a weakness that’s real, but not something that would stop you from doing the job well. The key is to be honest, keep it relevant, and show what you’re doing to improve. Below are examples of common weaknesses and how to talk about them in a professional way.
“I focus too much on the details”
Paying attention to detail is usually seen as a strength. But if it starts to affect your speed or stops you from moving on to the next task, it can become a challenge. A good answer here shows that you’re aware of the impact and working on getting the balance right.
Example answer
“I’ve always taken care to make sure my work is accurate and thorough, but I’ve noticed that I can spend too long checking the small details. It sometimes slows down my pace, especially when working to tight deadlines. To manage this, I now set time limits for review stages and prioritise based on what really needs attention. It’s helped me work more efficiently while still producing good quality work.”
“I have trouble saying no”
Being helpful is a good thing. But if you say yes to everything, it can lead to too much on your plate. This kind of answer works well if you can show that you’ve found a way to manage your time and set clearer boundaries.
Example answer
“In the past, I’ve found it difficult to say no when colleagues asked for help, even when I was already busy. I wanted to be seen as reliable and willing to support others, but I realised that it sometimes made it harder to keep up with my own priorities. I’ve since started using a planning tool to track my workload more clearly and check before I agree to anything new. It’s helped me manage expectations and focus on what’s most important.”
“I struggle with delegating tasks”
If you’ve had any responsibility for projects or small teams, it’s common to want to keep control of the outcome. But not sharing tasks can slow things down. A strong answer shows that you’re learning to trust others and work more collaboratively.
Example answer
“I like to take ownership of my work and make sure things are done properly, so I’ve sometimes found it difficult to delegate tasks. I realised this was holding back team progress in some cases. Now, I take more time at the start of a project to agree on roles and responsibilities clearly. It’s helped me focus on the bigger picture and support the team more effectively.”
“I find it hard to ask for help”
Some people are naturally independent, but there are times when asking for help is the best way to keep things moving. If this is a weakness for you, explain how you’ve learned to recognise when to reach out.
Example answer
“I like to figure things out on my own, which has meant I’ve sometimes waited too long before asking for help. I thought it would reflect better on me if I handled everything myself. But I’ve come to see that asking at the right time can save time and lead to better outcomes. I now give myself a short window to try and resolve an issue, and if I’m still stuck, I speak to someone rather than letting it hold up the work.”
“I can be a perfectionist”
Taking pride in your work is a strength, but aiming for perfection in everything can slow you down or make it hard to move on. If this sounds familiar, explain how you’ve learned to prioritise and let go when needed.
Example answer
“I’ve always set high standards for myself, but I’ve noticed that I can get caught up in making things perfect, even when it’s not necessary. It sometimes means I spend more time than I should on small changes. I’ve been working on this by focusing more on project goals and timelines, and asking for feedback earlier in the process. It’s helped me keep momentum and still deliver strong results.”
“I’m overly self-critical”
Being reflective is important, but being too hard on yourself can affect your confidence or how you respond to feedback. A strong answer shows that you’re aware of this and working on being more balanced.
Example answer
“I tend to judge my own work quite harshly, and I used to focus too much on what I could have done better, rather than what went well. Over time, I’ve learned to take a more balanced view by keeping track of positive feedback and outcomes, as well as areas to improve. It’s helped me stay motivated and more open to recognising progress.”
“I struggle with work-life balance”
When you enjoy what you do or feel committed to your role, it can be easy to let work spill into your personal time. If you’ve had to work on setting boundaries, keep your answer focused on the steps you’ve taken to maintain a healthy routine.
Example answer
“In the past, I’ve found it hard to switch off from work, especially when juggling multiple deadlines. I’d often check emails out of hours or keep working longer than planned. I realised this wasn’t sustainable, so I’ve started setting clearer working hours and planning breaks into my day. It’s helped me stay focused during work time and be more productive overall.”
“I lack experience in [specific skill]”
No one has every skill, and employers don’t expect perfection. If you’re missing experience in one area, focus your answer on how you’re building it up and what steps you’ve already taken.
Example answer
“One area I’m currently developing is my knowledge of [insert skill, e.g. presenting to senior stakeholders]. It’s not something I’ve done much of in previous roles, but I know it’s important. I’ve been taking part in internal presentations and asking for feedback to build my confidence. I’ve also completed a short course to support this, and I’m continuing to practise in real situations.”
Tips for answering the ‘weakness’ question
This question is your chance to show self-awareness, emotional intelligence and the ability to grow. A weak answer often sounds generic or avoids the issue altogether. A strong answer is clear, relevant and shows that you’ve thought about how to improve. Use the tips below to shape a response that feels confident and honest.
Be honest, but avoid deal-breakers
Honesty is important in an interview. Employers want to see that you’re able to reflect on yourself and talk about areas for improvement. But it’s just as important to choose a weakness that won’t raise doubts about your ability to do the job. You don’t need to share your biggest personal flaw. Instead, choose something that feels genuine and relevant, but not essential to the core responsibilities of the role.
For example, if you’re applying for a client-facing role, avoid saying you struggle with communication. If you’re applying for a role that requires team leadership, don’t say you avoid taking the lead. Keep your answer safe by focusing on something real but manageable, with a clear path for improvement.
Aim for a balance. You want your answer to sound human and believable, without putting yourself at a disadvantage. A well-chosen weakness can actually work in your favour if you frame it in the right way.
Pick a weakness that won’t hurt your role
Always consider the job description when preparing your answer. Think about what the employer is likely to view as essential for success in the role. Your chosen weakness should sit outside of those key skills or responsibilities. That way, you can speak openly about it without creating concern.
For instance, if the role relies heavily on written communication, avoid saying you struggle with spelling or grammar. If the job involves lots of fast-paced decision making, avoid saying you take too long to act. Instead, focus on something that shows you’re still developing as a professional, but not in an area that would directly affect your performance.
Show progress and proactive improvement
A good weakness is one that comes with a clear plan for improvement. Employers want to see that you’re not just aware of the issue, but that you’ve already started working on it. This shows initiative, self-management and a willingness to grow — all things that matter in any role.
If you’ve taken a course, changed how you plan your day or asked for feedback from a manager, include that in your answer. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing that you take your development seriously and that you’re not afraid to take steps to improve.
Even small changes count. What matters is that you’re doing something to address the issue and that you can clearly explain what you’ve learned from the process so far.
Keep it concise and specific
It’s easy to overthink this question, but your answer doesn’t need to be long. A clear, structured response will always land better than a long explanation that drifts off track. Aim to explain your weakness, give a short example and then show how you’re working to improve — all in around 30 to 60 seconds of talking time.
Being specific will help. Instead of giving a general weakness like “communication”, focus on something more concrete, like “speaking up in large meetings”. This gives your answer more weight and makes it easier to understand.
The more focused your response is, the more confident and in control you’ll sound. That’s exactly the impression you want to leave.
Practice with real scenarios or feedback
If you’ve had feedback from a manager, colleague or peer, it can be a great starting point for your answer. Feedback shows that others have noticed something, and that you’ve taken it on board and acted on it. It also adds credibility to your response, without needing to say too much.
You can also reflect on situations where you faced a challenge and learned from it. This kind of real-life context will help your answer feel more grounded and less like a script. It’s not about telling a long story, just showing that the weakness came up in a genuine setting and that you’ve made progress since then.
Before the interview, take a few minutes to practise your answer aloud. It’ll help you stay calm and deliver it naturally. That way, you’ll come across as thoughtful, self-aware and ready to grow.
Read more: How to use the STAR method in job interviews
Interviewers don’t expect you to be perfect. What they want is someone who’s self-aware, open to feedback and willing to grow. The way you talk about your weaknesses can leave a lasting impression, especially when you show that you’re working on them.
At Digital Waffle, we support candidates across tech and digital as they prepare for interviews and explore their next move. Whether you’re actively applying or just thinking about a change, we’re here to help.
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