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What's Your Greatest Weakness?

How do you answer the interview question everyone dreads? Readers weigh in with some impressive responses.
By Anne Fisher

• "I try to respond with a weakness that has little or nothing to do with the job," wrote P.B. from Virginia (as did a few dozen other people with similar advice). Examples: If the position you're seeking doesn't call for much writing, admit that your writing skills are weak. If the job is essentially a one-person show where you'd be working alone, state that you work best independently and prefer not to share tasks with other people. If you're a research chemist who'll rarely be expected to venture out of the lab, note that your public speaking isn't so hot. You get the idea.

• "In college (at Cornell University) we were coached for this question," writes Ryan from New York City, "and the instructor suggested identifying a weakness that is easily fixable, rather than an inherent character flaw. For instance, 'I'm not as familiar with Excel as I'd like to be' can easily be addressed by an Excel course or two, while 'I have a short temper' is too intrinsic." Or saying that you'd like to brush up your foreign-language skills could work in your favor, particularly at companies with broad-based international operations.

• Give your answer a forward spin, suggests former recruiter Tom C.: "First, rephrase the question in terms of 'development needs' rather than 'weaknesses,' as in, 'One of the development needs I'm working on is...' " Then identify something that will be necessary for more senior positions than the one you're seeking now. "For example, if you're going to manage a small team on the job in question, say that your goal is to learn to manage a large organization—and that, conveniently, the position at hand will help you in working toward that objective."

• Sandwich it. "Start your answer with a positive," suggests Everett K., "like, 'I love a challenge,' then stick in a weakness like, 'I always need to know all the details before I can make a decision,' and then end with another positive, like 'Your company will provide me with a great place to grow professionally.' " Having heard two good things and one not-so-good, the interviewer will (Everett says) overlook the middle part.

• Every cloud has a silver lining. "An answer I've used successfully is, 'My greatest weakness is procrastination,' " writes Micah, quickly adding, " 'But my greatest strength is, I work well under pressure.' " Good point: Strengths and weaknesses often are two sides of the same coin. Why not say so?

• "During my last interview, when asked this question, I answered that I'm impatient at times," writes Stephanie T. "But then I gave it a better spin by saying that, when a customer is waiting for a problem to be resolved, I get impatient on their behalf. This must have worked, as I got the job and was promoted six months later."

• "Just exaggerate any management-oriented virtue," suggests Tom T. An answer that's worked for him: "I usually complete my tasks more quickly than my colleagues do, which has led to some resentment. I try to ease that by helping out when I can."

• "I always say that I am first and foremost a family man, and the well-being of my family is my No. 1 priority," writes Jerry G. "This often leads to a discussion about kids, which allows me to connect to the interviewer on a closer level—and if an interviewer is looking for 100% availability, 24/7, then the position is not for me anyway."

• If you're feeling confident, try Linda K.'s response: "Well, I know everyone has his or her weaknesses and most resolve them with some effort and self-examination. I'm curious. What's your weakness and how have you handled it? I'd like to learn from you." Adds Linda: "What's the old saying? The best defense is a good offense?" If nothing else, you'll take the interviewer by surprise, which can be a way to change the subject in a hurry.

Finally, a reader named Chuck takes Linda's approach one bold step further: "Be forthright about your own weakness, and then assertively ask the interviewer to describe the greatest weaknesses of the people you would be working with. If the person doesn't know or won't say, maybe you really don't want to work there."