The Smart Way to Answer When HR Asks About Your Weakness

When preparing for a job interview, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of showcasing your accomplishments and skills. However, one common question can often be a source of anxiety: 'Can you tell me about a weakness you have and how you are working to improve?' The answer to this question is not straightforward and requires a strategic approach.

Understanding the Interview as a Sales Pitch

What most people fail to realize is that any part of a job search—particularly the interview—is purely and simply sales and marketing. You are selling yourself—your skills, your experience, your work-related strengths, and your past successes—to the potential employer who you hope will 'buy' your services! The trick is to frame these strengths and past successes in a way that highlights how you have overcome challenges and weaknesses.

Talk About Overcoming Challenges

Instead of trying to sell yourself with a weakness, focus on sharing how you have improved yourself and overcome past challenges. For example, you can discuss a fear you once had, such as public speaking, and how you overcame it. Did you join Toastmasters to conquer your fear of public speaking? Now, you are more comfortable delivering workshops in your area of expertise. Or perhaps you once struggled with delegating tasks and learned the importance of wisely delegating and acknowledging your team's unique skills and expertise.

By sharing these stories, you are showing that you are human but always striving to be better at what you do. You are also demonstrating your ability to grow and improve professionally, which is highly valued by potential employers.

Showcase Growth and Improvement

One of the most important aspects of answering this question is to show that you are a learner and a grower. By discussing how you have increased your skills and techniques over time, you are highlighting your commitment to personal and professional development. This is a strong selling point because it shows that you are not content with standing still and are always looking for opportunities to improve.

Example: Using Public Speaking as a Weakness

Let's take the example shared earlier: 'Well, I tend to put my work above my family, and I need to work on that so my wife doesn’t divorce me.' While this statement might be true, it's not the best way to answer an interview question. A better approach might be to talk about a past fear, such as public speaking, and how you overcame it. For instance:

"I used to have a significant fear of public speaking, which meant I often delegated presentations to others. Recognizing this as a weakness, I actively sought out opportunities to improve. I joined Toastmasters International, a non-profit organization that helps people develop their public speaking and leadership skills. Through this program, I not only overcame my fear but also became more confident in delivering presentations. Today, I frequently volunteer to give workshops and presentations, and it has become one of my strengths. "

This answer shows that you have recognized a weakness, took proactive steps to improve, and have successfully turned it into a strength. It demonstrates both self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth.

Conclusion

By framing your response in a way that focuses on overcoming challenges and showing personal and professional growth, you can effectively answer the weakness question in a way that leaves a positive impression on the interviewer. Remember, the goal is not to hide flaws but to present yourself as a resilient and continuously improving individual. Your ability to acknowledge and overcome weaknesses is an asset, and potential employers will likely view it as a strength rather than a weakness.