By Marco Buscaglia

Few interview questions cause more anxiety than “What is your greatest weakness?” It’s a question that requires careful navigation — answering too honestly could cost you the job but being too evasive can signal a lack of self-awareness.

“The question isn’t designed to trick candidates or expose fatal flaws,” says Laszlo Bock, former senior vice president of People Operations at Google, in his book “Work Rules!” “Interviewers are looking for self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth.”

Career experts agree that the best approach is to identify a genuine challenge, explain how you’ve addressed it and show how you continue to improve.

Here are some effective responses to consider adapting for your next interview.

Public speaking

“Public speaking hasn’t always been my strong suit. I used to get nervous presenting to large groups, sometimes affecting my delivery. To address this, I joined Toastmasters last year and volunteered to lead more team presentations. While I still get butterflies, I’ve developed techniques to channel that energy positively, and my presentation skills have improved significantly.”

This shows both vulnerability and proactive improvement.

Technical skills

“I’ve recognized that my experience with data visualization tools isn’t as extensive as I’d like. To address this gap, I’ve enrolled in an online certification program focusing on Tableau and Power BI. I’m already implementing what I’ve learned in my current role, creating more effective dashboards for my team.”

This demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Feedback

“I sometimes struggle with receiving critical feedback in the moment. My natural reaction has been to defend my work rather than listen openly. I’ve been working on this by implementing a 24-hour rule — taking time to process feedback before responding. I also actively ask clarifying questions now.”

This answer shows emotional intelligence and strategies for professional growth.

Work-life balance

“I’ve had difficulty maintaining healthy boundaries between work and personal time, often checking emails late into the evening. I’ve recognized this isn’t sustainable and now implement designated ‘offline hours.’ I’ve found that this improves my productivity during working hours and allows me to bring more energy to my work.”

This response demonstrates self-care awareness that actually benefits workplace performance.

Independence

“I’ve sometimes relied too heavily on my abilities rather than leveraging my team’s strengths. I’ve learned that collaboration often produces better results, so I’ve been creating more opportunities for teamwork and actively seeking input from colleagues.”

This shows growth in leadership and collaboration skills.

Focus

“I sometimes find it challenging to say no to new opportunities, which has occasionally led to spreading myself too thin. I’ve developed a framework for evaluating new commitments against my core responsibilities, which has helped me focus more effectively.”

This shows self-awareness about strategic prioritization.

Tribune News Service