How to Answer "What's Your Greatest Weakness?"

Nurse Beth, MSN

What's Your Greatest Weakness?

This question most assuredly will be asked. It's dreaded by most people, because it raises a fear of vulnerability and besides, who wants to reveal their weaknesses?

The key is to take control and turn it around into a positive.

Here's how to turn it into an interview win for you.

They Don't Want to Know Your Weakness

The first thing to understand is- they don't really want the truth!

They definitely don't want to know your personal weaknesses (you binge on ice cream, you're insecure, you get jealous). You won't get points for candidly coming clean and telling them you forget your mother's birthday.

It's designed to see if you demonstrate self-awareness and are committed to professional growth and improvement. Show them that and you will be an outstanding candidate.

Don't Give These Answers to "What's Your Weakness?"

Do not say "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard" The interviewers have heard these too many times, and it's disingenuous on your part.

Do not say "I panic when I get overwhelmed" or "I can't do math calculations" because math skills and stress management are both core skill sets needed for the job.

Do not say "I'm not good at public speaking" or "I struggle with Excel formulas" because these are not skills required for the job and it will be seen as a copout.

Guidelines for Composing Your Answer

When talking about a negative, be brief and matter of fact (de-emphasize the negative)
Spend one quarter of your answer on your weakness and three quarters on how you are improving (re-focus)
Frame your weakness as an opportunity you've identified for professional improvement and growth (self-awareness)
Speak to your action plan (initiative)
Avoid using negative words such as weakness or failure (positive focus)
Use positive words such as challenge and area for growth (positive focus)
Describe the progress you've made in a story or example (stories are memorable)
Close on a positive note (leave positive impression)

In this way, you have skillfully turned a weakness into a positive while still owning it.

Choosing Your Weakness

When choosing the weakness you are going to use for your interview, pick something work-related and fixable. Make sure that it's not something critical to the job, but that it is something germane to the job.

Your goal is to present a genuine weakness that does not damage your potential for the position.

Answer Examples

"English is my second language. I read and write well, but I want to be more comfortable with idiomatic English. I'm taking an English as Second Language course at the community college."

" I don't always delegate as much as I should, because I always want to do everything myself! I've come to see that delegating is important in order to work as a team and get everything done. Every shift on my last rotation, I made it a point to delegate more each day. It's still out of my comfort zone, but I'm improving daily."

"I'm working on my time management skills. I'm learning to batch my tasks whenever possible, and to carry enough needed supplies with me. When I anticipate what my patients might need, I'm better prepared and save time."

Reheorifice Your Answer

Reheorifice out loud with another person until you feel comfortable with your delivery. Each time it should be a little bit different while still including all your talking points. Do not memorize your answer.

Tip: Be prepared with two answers, as they may listen to your first answer and then say "That's great, thank you! Now can you tell us about another weakness?"

Good luck! I think you got this!

Related articles:

How to Prepare for Your Inteview

How To Answer The Most Common Nursing Interview Questions

Why You Need an Elevator Speech

Uncensored Thoughts of a Nurse Interviewer

Job Interview: What are your strengths and weaknesses?