Let’s be honest: few things make a candidate more uncomfortable in an interview than that dreaded question “What would you say is your biggest weakness?”. Do we really have to open ourselves up in front of a stranger who, on top of that, is going to decide if we pay the rent next month? Yes. And not only that: it’s very likely that if you mess up here, the whole interview can go downhill.

But beware, it’s not a confessional. It’s not about telling everything as if it were a therapy session. What they’re looking for is not so much what weakness you have, but how you deal with it. That’s the trick (and the trap). As explained in Indeed, the key is to frame your response not as “I solved this completely,” but as “I’m working on it, I’ve improved, and I keep improving.” That conveys humility, proactivity, and continuous growth.

The classic mistake: sounding too perfect or too negative

Some candidates fall back on empty phrases like:

• “I’m a perfectionist.”
• “I work too much.”
• “My only flaw is that I give everything for the company.”

That doesn’t sound human. It sounds memorized. The interviewer will smell it immediately.

Others let out brutal honesty:

• “I’m often late.”
• “I’m terrible at teamwork.”
• “I get distracted with my phone all the time.”

And that doesn’t work either. It doesn’t show constructive self-criticism but rather red flags. As shared in Dovetail, the key is to choose a manageable weakness and focus on how you deal with it, showing that you’re still improving.

The correct approach: action and progress (not a confession or a fairy tale)

Don’t try to sell that you’ve already mastered everything. It’s far more convincing to say: “before it was X, now I’ve achieved Y, and I’m still working on Z.” That shows self-awareness, evolution, and, above all, a growth mindset.

Example:

• Bad → “I’m bad at presentations.”
• Good → “Historically I used to get nervous speaking in front of many people, so I enrolled in a public speaking course. Now I volunteer for presentations. I still keep working on my communication and negotiation skills.”

See the nuance? You’re not saying you’re Steve Jobs on stage, you’re saying you have improved and keep improving. As highlighted in Optim Careers: what’s credible is not perfection, but continuous progress.

Good examples of weaknesses with “I’m still working on it”

Each point works if you present it as a continuous improvement process, not as a weakness magically solved:

Poor examples

These remain red flags because they show no improvement or willingness to work on them:

As underlined in The Muse: don’t hide everything, don’t overshare, and never pretend to be perfect.

Choosing the right weakness to mention

Before preparing your response, think about the type of job you’re applying for. Not all weaknesses weigh the same: some roles value technical expertise more, others communication or people management. Analyze which strengths the company is looking for and make sure not to highlight as a weakness something that’s critical for the role. For example, if the job requires daily client interaction, it’s not a good idea to admit you struggle with negotiation—even if you’re working on it. In those cases, focus on another area of improvement that doesn’t directly conflict with critical skills.

Quick Checklist

• Is your weakness believable but not harmful for the role?
• Do you show concrete actions and make it clear you’re still working on it?
• Are you honest without sounding defeated?
• Do you project adaptability and a growth mindset?

Conclusion

No one expects you to be perfect. As emphasized in Prosple Forum and StackExchange, what matters is showing self-awareness, willingness to improve, and commitment to continuous learning.

The key: don’t say “that weakness no longer exists.” Say: “I’ve made significant progress and I’m still working on getting better every day.” That genuine detail communicates credibility and, above all, growth potential. In an interview, that matters more than a flawless resume.