How to Handle “What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?” in an Interview

One of the trickiest questions candidates face during job interviews is:
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

It sounds simple, but answering it well requires balance. Say too much and you sound overconfident. Say too little and you appear unsure of yourself. Recruiters ask this question to test self-awareness, honesty, and how well your skills align with the job.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to prepare, answer, and impress when faced with this common interview question.

Why Do Interviewers Ask About Strengths and Weaknesses?

Employers ask this question because they want to:

• Understand how self-aware you are.
• See if your strengths match the job requirements.
• Check if you can handle constructive criticism and improve on weaknesses.
• Learn how you might fit into the company culture.

This question isn’t about catching you off guard, it’s about seeing how you present yourself professionally.

 How to Answer “What Are Your Strengths?”

When describing your strengths, keep these in mind:

1. Choose strengths relevant to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a Customer Service role, highlight patience, problem-solving, or empathy.
2. Give real-life examples. Employers trust actions more than words.
3. Keep it professional. Strengths like “being friendly” or “organized” are fine, but always tie them to how they help the company.

Example Strengths Answer:

“One of my biggest strengths is communication. In my previous customer support role, I was able to resolve client issues effectively, which led to higher satisfaction ratings. I’m also detail-oriented, which helps me catch small mistakes before they become bigger problems.”

How to Answer “What Are Your Weaknesses?”

This is where most candidates panic. The trick is to:

• Be honest but strategic. Don’t pick a weakness that’s a dealbreaker for the role.

Show improvement. Employers want to see growth.

• Avoid clichés like “I’m a perfectionist” unless you explain it properly.

Example Weaknesses Answer:

“In the past, I sometimes struggled with delegating tasks because I wanted everything to be perfect. However, I’ve been working on trusting my team more, and I’ve learned that collaboration often produces better results.”

This way, you’re showing honesty + growth + awareness.

Best Tips for Answering This Question

• Prepare 2–3 strengths and 1–2 weaknesses before the interview.
• Practice but don’t sound rehearsed.
• Keep answers short and clear (2–3 sentences each).
• Always link strengths to the job description.
• For weaknesses, always explain what you’re doing to improve.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Saying you don’t have any weaknesses. (Everyone has them.)
• ❌ Giving personal weaknesses not related to work. (e.g., “I eat too much chocolate.”)
• ❌ Being too negative without showing improvement.
• ❌ Overloading your strengths without examples.

In Conclusion, Answering “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being honest, self-aware, and strategic. Employers value candidates who know themselves, can highlight their skills with confidence, and are willing to acknowledge areas for growth.