7 sample responses to "What's your biggest weaknesses?" for students

Ever been stumped by the classic interview question, 'What's your biggest weakness?' You're not alone. It's a question that can make even the most confident candidates sweat.

Why? Because it's a balancing act – you need to be honest, but at the same time, you don't want to give an answer that throws a shadow on your abilities.

Don't worry, though. This post is all about mastering that balance. Through seven real-world sample responses, we'll unpack smart strategies to tackle this tricky question head-on, ensuring you come across as both self-aware and capable in your next internship interview.

1. But first, why do interviewers ask about your weaknesses?
2. How to answer "What's your biggest weakness" (7 sample responses)
3. How NOT to answer "What's your biggest weakness"

But first, why do interviewers ask about your weaknesses?

Before we dive into specific responses, let's explore why companies ask this question in the first place.

Well, when you're just starting your career journey, you might not have a ton of experiences or skills to back you up. Luckily employers understand that! They're not necessarily hiring you for your current skill set but for the potential superstar they think you can become.

But here's the kicker: How do they figure out if you've got that star quality? That's where this question comes in.

When companies ask about your weaknesses, they're basically trying to get a sense of a few things:

1. How mature & self-aware you are: They know you're not a seasoned pro yet, so they're checking if you've at least got maturity and self-awareness. Think about it like this: If you're aware of your strengths and weaknesses, you're on the right track. But if you claim to have zero weaknesses, you're probably not very mature. And if you can't pinpoint your own weaknesses, you're don't reflect on yourself enough.

2. Whether you're "coachable": Your superiors will need to spend a lot of itme coaching you, so companies want to make sure you're worth this investment of time and money. If you can admit to your own shortcomings and show you're open to improvement, that's a big plus. They want to see if you're the kind of person who can take constructive criticism and turn it into growth.

3. How honest you are: Being honest isn't just about following a rule; it's about gaining the interviewer's trust. They're not just after your weaknesses; they're also checking if you're being real and genuine. Trust goes a long way in building a strong working relationship, and honesty is the cornerstone of that trust.

So, there you have it! The "What are your biggest weaknesses" question isn't just small talk. It's a  way for employers to assess your potential, see how self-aware you are, test your coachability, and gauge your honesty. Now, let's take a look at some sample responses to see these ideas in action.

How to answer "What are your weaknesses?" (7 sample responses)

#1 Not delegating enough

In a group project last year, my teammates told me I was taking on too much by myself. They were right – I was trying to do it all, thinking it would help, but it was just overwhelming me and not letting others chip in. So, I decided to switch things up. I started sharing tasks more, playing to everyone's strengths, and keeping the lines of communication open.

It really changed the game for us. I was less stressed, and everyone felt more involved. Our project turned out great – our professor even complimented us on how well we worked together. It was a real eye-opener for me about trusting my team and sharing the load.

✅ This response is great because:

• It mentions actual feedback you've gotten instead of something generic like "I work too hard" or "I'm a perfectionist" which most students default to. 
• It shows how you implemented the feedback. You didn't just say you got feedback. You shared how you applied it. This shows you'll likely be able to take feedback at work too. 
• It highlights positive outcomes that resulted from your change! Employers like it when you can translate learning into tangible results.

#2 Being uncomfortable with public speaking

One area I'm focusing on improving is my public speaking. I've always felt more comfortable writing than speaking, because when I'm writing, I have time to think and edit, but public speaking feels like you're on the spot, and that's always been a bit intimidating for me. But I know it's a key skill, especially in the workplace, so I've been actively working on it.

I started recording my practice presentations to see where I stumble or get nervous. It's kind of strange to watch myself, but it's really eye-opening. I can actually see where I need to slow down or sound more confident.

I also present to my friends whenever I can. They're great at giving me honest feedback, pointing out things like if I'm not making enough eye contact or if my points aren't clear. It's been really helpful in understanding what I need to work on.

I'm not there yet, but I'm definitely making progress. I'm eager to continue improving, and I think this job is a great opportunity to keep working on my public speaking skills and really put them to use for the team.

✅ This response is great because:

• It provides context for your weakness. By explaining that you're more comfortable with written communication, you offer insight into why public speaking is challenging for you. This context makes your weakness more relatable and understandable, showing that it's not a lack of effort but a specific area that doesn't come as naturally to you.
• It shows how you're proactively working on your weakness.  You didn't just say you're "working on it"! You detail specific, actionable steps you're taking to improve (recording yourself and seeking feedback from friends).
• It proves your willingness to tackle an area outside your comfort zone, which shows adaptability. This is a key quality in the workplace, where conditions and requirements often change, and employees need to adjust accordingly.

#3 Being disorganized

Organization hasn’t always been my strong suit, and there’s a pretty memorable incident that highlights this. It was during my first semester, and I had this habit of, let's say, 'optimistic procrastination.' I thought I had all the time in the world until the night before a major exam. I suddenly realized I had barely studied.

So there I am, surrounded by mountains of notes, chugging coffee at 2 AM, trying to cram months of material into a few hours. It wasn't just stressful; it was comically tragic. I even tried to make flashcards out of cereal boxes because I ran out of paper!

That night was a real eye-opener. I learned the hard way that winging it wasn’t going to cut it in university. So, I started using a digital planner, setting up study schedules well in advance, and breaking down my workload into manageable chunks. This new approach transformed my study habits. I was less stressed, my grades improved, and I never had to resort to cereal box flashcards again!

That experience was a bit of a turning point for me. It taught me the value of being organized, not just in avoiding last-minute panics, but in improving my overall academic performance. I’ve carried these lessons with me, and they've been incredibly useful in group projects and other aspects of university life too.

✅ This response is great because:

• Your response is unique! Interviewers get a lot of canned responses to this question, so it's refreshing to hear something different. Your use of humor also makes your story more memorable and engaging.
• You establish a personal connection with the interviewer. Interviewers are human too, and your use of humor can help break the ice, making the interaction more enjoyable and personal. (Of course, this depends on the field – if you're in a more conservative field like government or finance, you may not want to get so personal.)
• You show you can learn from mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, including at work. By sharing how a mistake led you to adopt better habits, you showcase your ability to learn from mistakes and grow. 

#4 Not asking for help

I've noticed that I really like to figure things out on my own, sometimes maybe a bit too much. For instance, there was this one time in my calculus class where we were tackling complex integrals. I spent hours trying to solve one particularly tough problem, determined to do it all on my own. Eventually, I realized that I wasn't making any progress and was just going around in circles.

It's a habit I've been working on, especially with my studies. I love the challenge of solving problems independently, but I also know there's a lot of value in asking for help when needed. 

So, I've set this personal rule: if I'm stuck on a problem, like a tough math equation or a coding issue, I give it a solid 30-minute try. If I don't have it figured out by then, I'll reach out to a classmate or a tutor for some help.

This method has really helped me balance my desire to solve problems on my own with the practicality of seeking assistance. It ensures I don't waste too much time on one thing, but also encourages me to give it my best shot first. I think it's important, especially in a learning environment, to know when to be independent and when to reach out for help.

✅ This response is great because:

• It provides a tangible example of how you addressed your weakness. If you had just said "I have issues asking for help" and left it at that, the interviewer might have reservations about hiring you. But you showed them a specific strategy for how you addressed (and conquered!) your weakness. It's almost like it's not a weakness anymore, which is great!
• It highlights key qualities employers look for in potential interns: For example, this example shows that you recognize when you need help, a key skill that employers look for in early-career professionals. As a student, you don't know much and employers totally get it. What they won't appreciate is an itnern who spends an exorbitant amount of time trying to figure things out themselves when they could've just asked for help.

#5 Overthinking

My biggest weakness used to be overthinking, especially with assignments. I'd get so bogged down in the details that it slowed me down. But everything started to change after I read 'The Lean Startup' by Eric Ries. The book emphasizes starting quickly and refining as you go, rather than aiming for perfection from the outset.

This approach really resonated with me. I've started applying these 'lean' principles to my study habits. Now, instead of trying to perfect an essay or project from the beginning, I focus on getting a basic version done quickly and then iteratively improving it. This method has made me much more efficient. I can complete assignments faster and have more time to refine them, which has actually improved the quality of my work.

✅ This response is great because:

• It shows that you can learn from external sources and adapt those learnings to improve yourself. This shows you'll likely be able to apply feedback well.
• It connects the weakness to professional skills. The response ties the weakness and the approach to overcoming it to skills that are valuable in a professional setting, like efficiency and quality.

#6 Something you don't have experience with

So, my biggest area for improvement? I'd say it's definitely getting up to speed with C++. In my computer science courses, we mostly focused on Python and Java, which I'm pretty comfortable with. But C++, not so much. It's a big deal in some software and systems development areas, and I just haven't had the chance to dive into it as much.

I'm tackling this head-on, though. I've signed up for this online C++ course and I'm setting aside time each week to really get into it. Plus, I'm on the lookout for any projects, maybe something open-source, where I can actually use C++ in a real-world situation.

I feel good about my coding skills in general, but I know adding C++ to my toolkit is important. It's all about being versatile and ready for different kinds of programming challenges, and I'm totally up for it.

✅ This response is great because:

• It shows you're self-aware: It's impossible for you to be familiar with every single programming out there. But if you can assess your own skill set critically and honestly, that means you're self-aware, which is key to growing personally and professionally in the long run.
• You balance confidence with humility: While you acknowledge your weakness in C++, you still expresses confidence in your overall coding abilities. This balance indicates that you'reneither overconfident nor underselling yourself, which is important in maintaining credibility.
• It shows you're eager to learn: For someone just starting out in their career, being ready to learn and tackle new challenges is important. It shows you're not just stuck with what you already know. Instead, you're always trying to learn more and do your job better, which is exactly what companies want in their team members

#7 A specific tool

One area I'm still getting the hang of is Google Analytics. As a marketing student, I've been really focused on the creative side – like ad design and campaign strategy. But I realized that understanding data analytics is super important for measuring the impact of those campaigns.

So, I started diving into online resources and tutorials on Google Analytics. It's been a bit of a learning curve, not gonna lie. I've been spending a few hours each week trying to figure out all the features and how to interpret the data. Recently, I had a breakthrough when I successfully analyzed the traffic data for a small project, and it actually helped tweak our campaign strategy.

I'm not an analytics guru yet, but I'm definitely on my way. Improving this skill is really important to me. I think getting better at Google Analytics will not only give me a more complete view of marketing but also help me make smarter, data-driven decisions in future projects.

✅ This response is great because:

• You acknowledge there's a learning curve: You openly admit the challenge you're facing with the learning process, which reflects honesty and humility. The interviewer is more likely to trust you as a result.
• It demonstrates an understanding of your field. You identify a weakness that is directly relevant to your field (marketing). This shows you understand the industry demands and the importance of data analytics in marketing, demonstrating an awareness of current market trends.
• It shows how you applied what you learned to a real project. You're not just learning in theory but also putting your new skills into practice, and doing so successfully! 

How NOT to answer "What are your weaknesses?"

#1 Humble bragging

The worst way to respond is to make a humble brag like "I work too hard," "I care too much," or "I'm a perfectionist." If you respond like this, don't be surprised if you see a funny expression on your interviewer's face!

75% percent of the time [candidates say something like] "Actually, Brad, my weakness is I work too hard, and I tend to be a perfectionist."

That's arguably the biggest bull@#$% answer in the history of interviewing. I know what the student is thinking: "I'm going to take a strength and disguise it as a weakness, and this recruiting director here, who interviews people for a living, will never figure that trick out!" Guess what? You're not the first person to pull that stunt. –Brad Karsh, Confessions of a Recruiting Director

Humble brags are the absolute worst responses to this question, because:

• They're cliched. Interviewers have heard it a million times already.
• They're not convincing. If everyone claims to "work too hard" or "care too much," how do you expect the interviewer to believe you when you say it?
• You'll sound like you're unwilling to acknowledge real areas for improvement. For example, saying you're a perfectionist sounds like you're implying that you have higher standards than other people.

#2 Mentioning deal-breakers for the job

If the job needs a certain skill, saying you're not good at that skill can be a problem. For example:

If you're applying for ...	Don't say ...
An accounting or finance role	You're bad with numbers.
A software developer role	You're bad at debugging code.
A consulting role	You're bad at communication.

These are all skills that are critical to the role, so if you say them, you'll make the interviewer wonder if you can do the job well.

🚫🚫🚫 Absolutely do NOT pick a skill that's on the list of qualifications listed in the job description!

Instead, pick a weakness that isn't a main part of the job, but show that you're working to improve it. This way, you can be honest without making the interviewer worried about your ability to do the job well.

#3 Blaming others

Another common mistake in answering "What's your biggest weakness?" is blaming others for your weaknesses. This is when you say your weakness is because of something or someone else, and not really about what you can or can't do.

So, instead of saying something like, "I missed deadlines because my team was slow," it's better to say, "I've had trouble with time management, but I'm working on planning better and setting earlier deadlines for myself." This way, you're being honest about a weakness but also showing that you're taking steps to improve it.

#4 Oversharing

Another mistake in answering "What's your biggest weakness?" is oversharing. An example would be saying something like "I'm not great with deadlines because I often feel overwhelmed due to personal stress and anxiety, which stems from my complicated family dynamics and past health issues."

Getting too personal too quickly can make the interviewer feel uncomfortable and in general, isn't very professional.  Remember: the interviewer is a professional contact, not a friend or therapist! 

#5 Mentioning weaknesses that can't be fixed

Your chosen weakness should be something genuine that you struggle with, but it shouldn't be so big that it can't be improved. For example, saying you're a little shy in meetings but are working on being more vocal is fixable. However, stating that you are extremely conflict-averse and struggle to work in any team setting might be viewed as a more serious issue that could impact your ability to perform well in many jobs.

Choose skills that are easily correctable through training or commitment. Work skills like data analysis, presentation skills, or software expertise are typically learnable, and interviewers understand that. But behavior challenges like being impatient, disorganized, or insecure may seem like personality flaws that are harder to overcome. – Harvard Business Review

#6 Not providing context or examples

A strong response paints a picture of your weakness and how you're working on it. It doesn't just answer "what" but also "why" or "how." So whether you're introducing your weakness or discussing how you addressed it, make sure to specific and concrete.

Before	After
"I've noticed that I really like to figure things out on my own, sometimes maybe a bit too much."	"I've noticed that I really like to figure things out on my own, sometimes maybe a bit too much. For instance, there was this one time in my calculus class where we were tackling complex integrals. I spent hours trying to solve one particularly tough problem, determined to do it all on my own. Eventually, I realized that I wasn't making any progress and was just going around in circles."
"It's a bad habit I've been working on."	"It's a bad habit I've been working on, especially with my studies. I've set this personal rule: if I'm stuck on a problem, like a tough math equation or a coding issue, I give it a solid 30-minute try. If I don't have it figured out by then, I'll reach out to a classmate or a tutor for some help."

Notice how the "before" versions fall flat. The details bring the story alive, making it more convincing and doing a better job of showcasing your self-awareness and honesty.

Instead, be precise and transparent. Share a specific weakness, explain how it has impacted your work in the past, and most importantly, describe the actions you've taken or are taking to address it. This not only paints a clearer picture for the interviewer but also showcases your ability to recognize and actively work on self-improvement.

So remember, when it comes to discussing your weaknesses in an interview, the key is to be concrete, not abstract. Provide the interviewer with a well-defined picture of your weakness and your proactive approach to overcoming it. This not only answers their question effectively but also leaves a positive impression of your self-awareness and growth mindset.

What next?

We hope that by learning how to answer this classic interview question, you'll walk into your next interview brimming with confidence! 

And if you're still looking for internships, check out the thousands of opportunities on our jobs board!