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Interview advice

How to talk about your greatest weakness

You do not need to disguise a strength as a weakness. Choose something you are working on, explain how you manage it and show what has improved.

By Anuj · Founder of Bossed

Updated on

Choose a weakness you can explain honestly

A useful answer identifies a behaviour you are working on and shows how you manage it. “I’m a perfectionist” tells the interviewer little unless you explain the actual problem it caused. Pick a genuine area where you can describe a change. If it relates directly to an essential requirement, be accurate about your current ability and how you would meet the role’s expectations.

Show what improvement looks like

  • Name the behaviour in plain language.
  • Explain its effect with a short example.
  • Describe a practical change and the evidence that it is helping.
  • Be ready to discuss what you still need to improve.

Try it now

Put this answer into your own words

What is a weakness you are working on?

  1. Choose a real habit you are improving and note an example of the problem it caused.
  2. Record an answer explaining the habit, the change you made and how it is helping.
  3. Check that you take responsibility and give a specific example. Revise any vague claims and try again.

Put your answer to the test with Bossed. Rehearse out loud and get specific feedback with a paid plan. Build my interview prep plan → Your readiness quiz and prep plan are free.

Keep practising

Be ready to explain what you can do.

Practise questions about your CV and the job with Bossed. Get feedback after each spoken mock, then put it to work in your next attempt.

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